Vehicle rear lighting system

The vehicle lamp system uses dual light-emitting units with a detection and control system to selectively illuminate obstacles, improving early detection and simplifying the structure for efficient reversing safety.

JP7764274B2Active Publication Date: 2025-11-05STANLEY ELECTRIC CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022024810
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-02-21
Publication Date
2025-11-05
Estimated Expiration
2042-02-21

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing vehicle rear lamps struggle to accurately and flexibly illuminate obstacles during reversing, leading to delayed detection and increased complexity due to a complicated structure with rotating shades.

Method used

A vehicle lamp system with dual light-emitting units, including a reflector and light-guiding lens, selectively irradiates light towards detected obstacles using a detection unit and control system, allowing early obstacle detection and alerting the driver.

Benefits of technology

Enables early detection and strong illumination of obstacles during vehicle reversing, reducing the risk of missed alerts and simplifying the lamp structure by eliminating complex mechanisms.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting fixture which enables selective application of light to a region where there is an obstacle, out of a region irradiated with light with which a vehicle rearward is irradiated when a vehicle retreats.SOLUTION: A vehicular lighting fixture comprises: a first light emission unit 7 which includes a first light source 5A and a reflector 6 and applies first light L1 reflected by the reflector 6 to a vehicle rearward while reflecting the first light L1 by the reflector 6; and a second light emission unit 9 which applies second light L2 guided by a light guide lens 8 to the vehicle rearward while guiding the second light L2 emitted from a second light source 5B by the light guide lens 8. The first light emission unit 7 applies the first light L1 toward the vehicle rearward, a plurality of second light emission units 9 are juxtaposed in a vehicle width direction, and selectively apply second L2 to each of application regions which are divided in the vehicle width direction in such a manner that the divided application regions overlap with the application range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention ,car For both rear illumination systems. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, when a vehicle is backing up, obstacles such as pedestrians or other vehicles behind the vehicle are detected, and light is shone onto these obstacles to alert the driver or pedestrians (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

[0003] Specifically, in Patent Document 1 below, obstacles behind the vehicle are detected from images captured by a camera, and the range of light emitted toward the rear of the vehicle is variably controlled from close to far by rotating the shade using an actuator such as a motor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-166467 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which the illumination range of light emitted toward the rear of the vehicle is variably controlled by the shade, making it difficult to flexibly illuminate an area where an obstacle is present with accurate and strong light. As a result, obstacles cannot be detected early, and there is a risk that the driver's attention will not be sufficiently drawn to the obstacles.

[0006] Furthermore, the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1 has a complicated structure with many parts, such as a mechanism for rotating the shade, which increases costs.

[0007] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and aims to selectively irradiate a light toward an irradiation area where an obstacle exists within an irradiation range of light irradiated toward the rear of a vehicle when the vehicle is backing up. This allows for early detection of obstacles behind the vehicle and alerts the driver. This made it possible Vehicle rear lighting system The purpose is to provide the following. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means. [1] a vehicle lamp that emits light toward the rear of the vehicle when the vehicle is reversing; a detection unit that detects an obstacle behind the vehicle; a control unit that, when the detection unit detects the obstacle, selectively irradiates light toward an illumination area where the obstacle is present, The vehicle lamp includes: a first light emitting unit including a first light source and a reflector, which reflects first light emitted from the first light source by the reflector and irradiates the first light reflected by the reflector toward a rear of the vehicle; a second light emitting unit including a second light source and a light guiding lens, guiding second light emitted from the second light source by the light guiding lens and irradiating the second light guided by the light guiding lens toward a rear of the vehicle; One of the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit irradiates either the first light or the second light toward an illumination range behind the vehicle, The other of the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit is arranged in a plurality of rows in a vehicle width direction, and selectively irradiates the other of the first light and the second light to each of irradiation areas divided in the vehicle width direction so as to overlap with the irradiation range. Vehicle rear lighting system . [2] A vehicle lamp that emits light toward the rear of a vehicle when the vehicle is reversing; a detection unit that detects an obstacle behind the vehicle; a control unit that, when the detection unit detects the obstacle, selectively irradiates light toward an illumination area where the obstacle is present, The vehicle lamp includes a first light emitting unit including a first light source and a reflector, and reflects first light emitted from the first light source by the reflector, and irradiates the first light reflected by the reflector toward a rear of the vehicle; a second light-emitting unit including a plurality of second light sources and a light-guiding lens, which guides second light emitted from the second light sources through the light-guiding lens and irradiates the second light guided by the light-guiding lens toward a rear of the vehicle; an extension having an opening corresponding to a front surface of the first light-emitting unit and another opening corresponding to an emission portion of the light-guiding lens of the second light-emitting unit, the extension being arranged to cover the periphery of the opening; the first light-emitting unit emits the first light toward an illumination range behind the vehicle; The second light-emitting unit selectively irradiates the second light by selectively switching on and off the plurality of second light sources using the control unit for each of a plurality of spot-like illumination areas that overlap with the illumination range of the first light-emitting unit and are narrower than the illumination range of the first light-emitting unit. [3] The vehicle rear illumination system according to [1] or [2], characterized in that the detection unit includes an imaging unit that captures an image behind the vehicle, and detects the obstacle based on the image captured by the imaging unit. [ 4 The one light emitting unit is arranged in a plurality in the vehicle width direction, and irradiates the one light toward the irradiation range. Vehicle rear lighting system . [ 5 a substrate on which the first light source and the second light source are mounted, the reflector is disposed on a side of the substrate where the first light source is located, The light guide lens is disposed on the side of the substrate where the second light source is located. Any one of the items in [4] Described in Vehicle rear lighting system . [ 6 the one light-emitting unit is the first light-emitting unit, The other light-emitting unit is the second light-emitting unit. 〕to Described Vehicle rear lighting system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] As described above, according to the present invention, when the vehicle is reversing, light is selectively emitted toward an illumination area where an obstacle is present within the illumination range of light that is emitted toward the rear of the vehicle. This allows for early detection of obstacles behind the vehicle and alerts the driver. This made it possible Vehicle rear lighting system It is possible to provide: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp taken along line AA shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle rear illumination system using the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4]4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining an example of the operation of the vehicle rear illumination system shown in FIG. 3, in which (A) is a schematic diagram showing an image of the rear of the vehicle, and (B) is a front view showing the lighting state of the vehicle lamp. [Figure 5] 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining an example of the operation of the vehicle rear illumination system shown in FIG. 3, in which (A) is a schematic diagram showing an image of the rear of the vehicle, and (B) is a front view showing the lighting state of the vehicle lamp. [Figure 6] 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining an example of the operation of the vehicle rear illumination system shown in FIG. 3, in which (A) is a schematic diagram showing an image of the rear of the vehicle, and (B) is a front view showing the lighting state of the vehicle lamp. [Figure 7] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration of the vehicle lamp different from that shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration of the vehicle lamp different from that shown in FIG. 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings used in the following description, the dimensions of the components may be shown at different scales to make them easier to see, and the dimensional ratios of the components may not necessarily be the same as in reality.

[0014] (vehicle lighting fixtures) First, as one embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle lamp 1 shown in, for example, FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of the vehicle lamp 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp 1 taken along line AA shown in FIG.

[0015] In addition, in the drawings shown below, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is set up, with the X-axis direction representing the front-to-rear direction (length direction) of the vehicle lighting fixture 1, the Y-axis direction representing the left-to-right direction (width direction) of the vehicle lighting fixture 1, and the Z-axis direction representing the up-to-down direction (height direction) of the vehicle lighting fixture 1.

[0016] The vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment is a vehicle lamp to which the present invention is applied, for example, a rear combination lamp RCL mounted on both corners of the rear end of a vehicle (not shown) (in this embodiment, the corner on the left rear end), the rear combination lamp RCL including a back lamp BCL that emits white light when the vehicle is reversing as one light-emitting unit, and a back accessory lamp BAL that selectively emits white light when the vehicle is reversing as the other light-emitting unit.

[0017] In addition, the vehicle lighting device 1 of this embodiment may be configured to include, in addition to the rear combination lamp RCL described above, a back lamp BCL and a back accessory lamp BAL to which the present invention is applied in a lid lamp adjacent to this rear combination lamp RCL.

[0018] Furthermore, although the rear combination lamps RCL are arranged symmetrically at both corners of the rear end of the vehicle, the vehicle lighting fixture 1 of this embodiment may be configured so that the rear combination lamps RCL are arranged on only one side (left or right), rather than just on both the left and right sides.

[0019] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" refer to the respective directions when the vehicle lamp 1 is viewed from the front (rear of the vehicle). Therefore, the respective directions when the vehicle is viewed from the front (front of the vehicle) are the reverse of the front, rear, left, and right directions.

[0020] 1 and 2, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a lamp body 4 that is made up of a housing 2 that is open at the front and a transparent outer lens 3 that covers the opening of the housing 2. The shape of the lamp body 4 can be changed as appropriate to suit the design of the vehicle, etc.

[0021] The vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment has a configuration in which a first light source 5A, a plurality (three in this embodiment) of first light-emitting units 7 (distinguished as first light-emitting units 7a, 7b, 7c as necessary) each including a reflector 6, a second light source 5B, a plurality (three in this embodiment) of second light-emitting units 9 (distinguished as second light-emitting units 9a, 9b, 9c as necessary) each including a light-guiding lens 8, and an extension 10, all of which are arranged inside the lamp body 4.

[0022] The first light emitting unit 7 and the second light emitting unit 9 are arranged side by side in the width direction of the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as the "vehicle width direction").

[0023] The first light source 5A and the second light source 5B are each formed of, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED) that emits white light, and are mounted on a circuit board 11 on which a drive circuit for driving each LED is provided.

[0024] Of these, the first light source 5A is mounted on one surface (the lower surface in this embodiment) of the circuit board 11. As a result, the first light source 5A radially emits light (hereinafter referred to as "first light") L1 downward. Furthermore, multiple first light sources 5A (three in this embodiment) are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction in accordance with the arrangement of the multiple first light-emitting units 7.

[0025] On the other hand, the second light source 5B is mounted on one surface of the circuit board 11, rearward of the first light source 5A. As a result, the second light source 5B radially emits light (hereinafter, referred to as "second light") L2 downward. Furthermore, multiple second light sources 5B (three in this embodiment) are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction in accordance with the arrangement of the multiple second light-emitting units 9.

[0026] In this embodiment, the LEDs constituting the first light source 5A and the second light source 5B described above and the drive circuits that drive the LEDs are mounted on the circuit board 11. However, the mounting board on which the LEDs are mounted and the circuit board on which the drive circuits that drive the LEDs are provided may be arranged separately, and the mounting board and the circuit board may be electrically connected via a wiring cord called a harness to protect the drive circuits from the heat generated by the LEDs.

[0027] The reflectors 6 are located below the first light source 5A across the circuit board 11, and three of them are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction corresponding to the three first light sources 5A mounted on the circuit board 11.

[0028] The reflector 6 has a concave reflective surface 6a that is based on a parabola with a focus at the center (light emitting point) of the first light source 5A in a cross-sectional view. The reflector 6 can be made of a reflective material with light diffusibility, such as white glass epoxy resin, or a reflective material provided with a reflective film, such as an aluminum vapor deposition film. The reflector 6 may also be made of a white reflective material with a reflective film provided only on the reflective surface 6a.

[0029] As a result, each first light-emitting unit 7 reflects the first light L1 emitted from the first light source 5A by the reflecting surface 6a of the reflector 6, and irradiates the first light L1 reflected by the reflecting surface 6a of the reflector 6 toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0030] The reflector 6 may have a multi-reflector structure in which the reflecting surface 6a is divided into a plurality of reflecting areas, thereby enabling the reflector 6 to control the reflection direction of the first light L1 incident on each reflecting area and to reflect the first light L1 incident on the reflecting surface 6a while diffusing it in the vehicle width direction.

[0031] The light guide lenses 8 are located on the lower side opposite the second light source 5B across the circuit board 11, and three of them are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction corresponding to the three second light sources 5B mounted on the circuit board 11.

[0032] The light guide lens 8 is made of a light guide as an inner lens that guides the second light L2 emitted from the second light source 5B. The light guide lens 8 can be made of a light-transmitting member made of a material with a refractive index higher than that of air, such as a transparent resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic, or glass.

[0033] The light-guiding lens 8 has an incident section 12 that is arranged opposite the second light source 5B and that allows the second light L2 emitted from the second light source 5B to enter the interior thereof, a light-guiding section 13 that guides the second light L2 that has entered from the incident section 12, a reflecting section 14 that is arranged on the side of the light-guiding section 13 opposite the incident section 12 and that reflects the second light L2 that is guided inside the light-guiding section 13 toward the front side of the light-guiding section 13, and an exit section 15 that is arranged on the front side of the light-guiding section 13 and that emits the second light L2 reflected by the reflecting section 14 to the outside.

[0034] Incident portion 12 has a flat (planar) incident surface 12a on one end side (the upper end side in this embodiment) of light guiding portion 13. Second light L2 emitted from second light source 5B enters light guiding portion 13 from incident surface 12a (incident portion 12) and is guided toward the other end side (the lower end side in this embodiment) of light guiding portion 13 while repeatedly reflecting inside light guiding portion 13.

[0035] The incident portion 12 is not limited to the configuration of the incident surface 12a described above, and may be configured to collimate or condense the second light L2 radially emitted from the second light source 5B and enter the inside of the light-guiding portion 13.

[0036] The light guiding portion 13 extends in the vehicle width direction and has a first portion 13a that guides the second light L2 downward between the incident portion 12 and the reflecting portion 14, and a second portion 13b that guides the second light L2 forward between the reflecting portion 14 and the exit portion 15. The first portion 13a is located behind the reflector 6. The second portion 13b is located below the reflector 6.

[0037] Reflecting section 14 is located between first section 13a and second section 13b of light guiding section 13, and has reflecting surface 14a inclined at a predetermined angle (45° with respect to the optical axis of second light L2 guided inside light guiding section 13 in this embodiment) toward the front side of light guiding section 13. Second light L2 guided inside light guiding section 13 is reflected by reflecting surface 14a (reflecting section 14) and guided toward the front side of light guiding section 13.

[0038] The emission section 15 has an emission surface 15a on the front side of the light guide section 13. Furthermore, the emission surface 15a is provided with a plurality of diffusion cuts 16 for diffusing the second light L2 emitted from the emission surface 15a toward the outside (front of the vehicle).

[0039] Examples of the diffusion cut 16 include a lens cut called a flute cut or a fisheye cut, and an uneven structure formed by knurling, embossing, etc. In this embodiment, the diffusion cut 16 is a fisheye cut that diffuses the second light L2 emitted from the emission surface 15a in the vertical and horizontal directions of the vehicle.

[0040] In the emission section 15, the second light L2 incident on the emission surface 15a is diffused by the plurality of diffusion cuts 16 and emitted to the outside of the light guide section 13 (light guide lens 8).

[0041] As a result, each second light-emitting unit 9 guides the second light L2 emitted from the second light source 5B through the light-guiding lens 8, and irradiates the second light L2 guided by the light-guiding lens 8 toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0042] The extension 10 is made of a colored (e.g., black) light-blocking member, has an opening 10a corresponding to the front of the first light-emitting unit 7 and the second light-emitting unit 9, and is arranged to cover the periphery of this opening 10a. By covering the periphery of the opening 10a, the extension 10 blocks the first light L1 and the second light L2 emitted from areas other than the opening 10a.

[0043] In the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment having the above-described configuration, either the first light-emitting unit 7 or the second light-emitting unit 9 (in this embodiment, the first light-emitting unit 7) constitutes the back lamp BCL, and the other light-emitting unit (in this embodiment, the second light-emitting unit 9) constitutes the back accessory lamp BAL.

[0044] The back lamp BCL is capable of irradiating one of the lights, that is, the first light L1, toward an illumination range behind the vehicle when the vehicle is moving backward.

[0045] In contrast, the back accessory lamp BAL is capable of selectively irradiating the other light, the second light L2, to each of the irradiation areas divided in the vehicle width direction so as to overlap with the irradiation range of the back lamp BCL when the vehicle is backing up.

[0046] (Vehicle rear lighting system) Next, a vehicle rear illumination system 100 using the vehicle lamp 1 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle rear illumination system 100.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle rear illumination system 100 of this embodiment includes the above-mentioned vehicle lamp 1, a detection unit 101 that detects an obstacle behind the vehicle, and a control unit 102 that, when the detection unit 101 detects an obstacle, performs control to selectively illuminate the second light L2 toward the illumination area where the obstacle is present.

[0048] The detection unit 101 includes an imaging unit such as a backup camera mounted on the rear of the vehicle, and while capturing an image G behind the vehicle, transmits data of this image G to the control unit 102. Note that the detection unit 101 is not limited to a configuration including the imaging unit described above, and may also be configured to include a sensor that detects obstacles behind the vehicle.

[0049] The control unit 102 is made up of a computer (ECU) mounted on the vehicle, receives the data of the image G transmitted from the detection unit 101, and performs calculations to detect an obstacle from the image G. Furthermore, the control unit 102 outputs a control signal to the vehicle lamp 1 when an obstacle is detected.

[0050] As a result, in the vehicle lighting device 1, control is performed to selectively switch on and off the second light source 5B so that the second light L2 is directed toward an illumination area where an obstacle is present within the illumination range of the first light L1 that is emitted toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0051] An example of the operation of the vehicle rear illumination system 100 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 are diagrams for explaining an example of the operation of the vehicle rear illumination system 100, where (A) is a schematic diagram showing an image G behind the vehicle, and (B) is a front view showing the lit state of the vehicle lamp 1.

[0052] In the vehicle rear illumination system 100 of this embodiment, first, as shown in FIGS. 4(A) and (B), when the vehicle is backing up, the multiple back lamps BCL (first light-emitting units 7a, 7b, 7c) emit first light L1 toward an illumination range E behind the vehicle.

[0053] At this time, the first light L1 emitted from the multiple back lamps BCL (first light emitting units 7a, 7b, 7c) overlaps in the vehicle width direction to form one illumination range E behind the vehicle.

[0054] The first light L1 emitted from the plurality of back lamps BCL (first light-emitting units 7a, 7b, 7c) may be overlapped in the illumination range E to form one illumination range E.

[0055] 4(A) and (B), the second light source 5B of the right rear accessory lamp BAL (second light-emitting unit 9a) corresponding to the right rear illumination area e1 where an obstacle (a pedestrian in this embodiment) S is present is turned on, among three illumination areas e1, e2, and e3 divided in the vehicle width direction so as to overlap with the illumination range E. As a result, the second light L2 is irradiated from the right rear accessory lamp BAL (second light-emitting unit 9a) toward the right illumination area e1 where the obstacle S is detected.

[0056] In this case, the second light L2 is irradiated onto the illumination area e1 in which the obstacle S shown in the image G exists, allowing the driver to quickly find the obstacle S behind the vehicle.

[0057] 5(A) and 5(B), when the obstacle S moves outside the illumination range E (to the right in this embodiment), the second light source 5B of the right-side back accessory lamp BAL (second light-emitting unit 9a) is turned off. As a result, only the first light L1 is emitted from the multiple back lamps BCL (first light-emitting units 7a, 7b, 7c) toward the illumination range E behind the vehicle.

[0058] 6(A) and 6(B), when the obstacle S moves inside the illumination range E (to the left in this embodiment), the second light source 5B of the left back accessory lamp BAL (second light-emitting unit 9b) is turned off, and the second light source 5B of the middle back accessory lamp BAL (second light-emitting unit 9b) corresponding to the middle illumination area e2 where the obstacle S is present is turned on. As a result, the second light L2 is irradiated from the middle back accessory lamp BAL (second light-emitting unit 9b) toward the middle illumination area e2 where the obstacle S is detected.

[0059] In this case, the second light L2 is irradiated onto the illumination area e2 in which the obstacle S shown in the image G exists, allowing the driver to quickly find the obstacle S behind the vehicle.

[0060] In addition, in the vehicle rear illumination system 100 of this embodiment, it is possible not only to illuminate the second light L2 only to one illumination area e1, e2, e3 where the above-mentioned obstacle S exists, but also to simultaneously illuminate the second light L2 to multiple illumination areas e1, e2, e3 where the obstacle S exists.

[0061] As described above, in the vehicle rear illumination system 100 using the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to selectively illuminate the second light L2 toward illumination areas e1, e2, e3 where an obstacle S exists, within the illumination range E of the first light L1 that is illuminated toward the rear of the vehicle when the vehicle is backing up.

[0062] Furthermore, in the vehicle rear illumination system 100 using the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to spot illuminate an obstacle S behind the vehicle with second light L2 from the back accessory lamp BAL (second light-emitting unit 9), which is stronger than the first light L1 from the back lamp BCL (first light-emitting unit 7). This makes it possible to quickly discover the obstacle S behind the vehicle and alert the driver.

[0063] The present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-mentioned vehicle lighting fixture 1, the above-mentioned first light-emitting unit 7 constitutes the back lamp BCL (one light-emitting unit), and the second light-emitting unit 9 constitutes the back accessory lamp BAL (the other light-emitting unit), but the second light-emitting unit 9 may constitute the back lamp BCL (one light-emitting unit), and the first light-emitting unit 7 may constitute the back accessory lamp BAL (the other light-emitting unit).

[0064] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned vehicle lamp 1, the first light-emitting unit 7 is arranged on one side (the lower side in FIG. 2) of the circuit board 11, and the second light-emitting unit 9 is arranged on the other side (the lower side in FIG. 2) of the circuit board 11. However, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, it is also possible to arrange the first light-emitting unit 7 (the first light source 5A and the reflector 6) on one side (the lower side in FIG. 7) of the circuit board 11, and the second light-emitting unit 9 (the second light source 5B and the light-guiding lens 8) on the other side (the upper side in FIG. 7) of the circuit board 11.

[0065] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, the first light-emitting unit 7 and the second light-emitting unit 9 can be integrated into one unit.

[0066] In addition, when the vehicle lighting fixture 1 of this embodiment is arranged in the rear combination lamps RCL on both the left and right sides, it is possible to synchronize and control the lighting of the multiple back accessory lamps BAL arranged in the left rear combination lamp RCL and the multiple back accessory lamps BAL arranged in the right rear combination lamp RCL, and to selectively irradiate the second light L2 from the back accessory lamps BAL on both the left and right sides for each irradiation area divided in the vehicle width direction so as to overlap with the irradiation range of the back lamp BCL.

[0067] On the other hand, with regard to the vehicle lighting fixture 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to independently control the lighting of the multiple back accessory lamps BAL arranged in the left rear combination lamp RCL and the multiple back accessory lamps BAL arranged in the right rear combination lamp RCL, and selectively irradiate the second light L2 to each of the irradiation areas divided separately on the left and right in the vehicle width direction so as to overlap with the irradiation range of the back lamp BCL.

[0068] In addition, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment may be configured so that when an obstacle S is detected behind the vehicle, not only is the second light L2 irradiated toward the illumination areas e1, e2, e3 where the obstacle S is located, but also the detection of an obstacle S behind the vehicle is notified by sound, a warning light, etc.

[0069] Furthermore, the image G captured by the imaging unit may be displayed on a display unit such as a rear monitor mounted inside the vehicle. In this case, the driver can quickly find an obstacle S behind the vehicle displayed on the image G while looking at the display unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...vehicle lamp 2...housing 3...outer lens 4...lamp body 5A...first light source 5B...second light source 6...reflector 7...first light-emitting unit 8...light-guiding lens 9...second light-emitting unit 10...extension 11...circuit board 12...incident section 13...light-guiding section 14...reflecting section 15...emitting section 16...diffusion cut RCL...rear combination lamp BCL...back lamp BAL...back accessory lamp 100...vehicle rear illumination system 101...detection section (imaging section) 102...control section L1...first light L2...second light E...illumination range e1, e2, e3...illumination area S...obstacle

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp that emits light toward the rear of a vehicle when the vehicle is backing up; a detection unit that detects an obstacle behind the vehicle; a control unit that, when the detection unit detects the obstacle, selectively irradiates light toward an illumination area where the obstacle is present, The vehicle lamp includes a first light emitting unit including a first light source and a reflector, and reflects first light emitted from the first light source by the reflector, and irradiates the first light reflected by the reflector toward a rear of the vehicle; a second light-emitting unit including a second light source and a light-guiding lens, guiding second light emitted from the second light source through the light-guiding lens and irradiating the second light guided by the light-guiding lens toward a rear of the vehicle; One of the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit irradiates one of the first light and the second light toward an illumination range behind the vehicle, The other of the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit is arranged in a plurality of rows in the vehicle width direction, and selectively irradiates the other of the first light and the second light to each of illumination areas divided in the vehicle width direction so as to overlap with the illumination range.

2. A vehicle lamp that emits light toward the rear of a vehicle when the vehicle is backing up; a detection unit that detects an obstacle behind the vehicle; a control unit that, when the detection unit detects the obstacle, selectively irradiates light toward an illumination area where the obstacle is present, The vehicle lamp includes a first light emitting unit including a first light source and a reflector, and reflects first light emitted from the first light source by the reflector, and irradiates the first light reflected by the reflector toward a rear of the vehicle; a second light-emitting unit including a plurality of second light sources and a light-guiding lens, which guides second light emitted from the second light sources through the light-guiding lens and irradiates the second light guided by the light-guiding lens toward a rear of the vehicle; an extension having an opening corresponding to a front surface of the first light-emitting unit and another opening corresponding to an emission portion of the light-guiding lens of the second light-emitting unit, the extension being arranged to cover the periphery of the opening; the first light-emitting unit emits the first light toward an illumination range behind the vehicle; The second light-emitting unit selectively irradiates the second light by selectively switching on and off the plurality of second light sources using the control unit for each of a plurality of spot-like illumination areas that overlap with the illumination range of the first light-emitting unit and are narrower than the illumination range of the first light-emitting unit.

3. 3. The vehicle rear illumination system according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit includes an imaging unit that captures an image of the area behind the vehicle, and detects the obstacle based on the image captured by the imaging unit.

4. 2. The vehicle rear illumination system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the one light emitting units are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction, and irradiate the one light toward the illumination range.

5. a substrate on which the first light source and the second light source are mounted, the reflector is disposed on a side of the substrate where the first light source is located, 5. The vehicle rear illumination system according to claim 1, wherein the light guide lens is disposed on a side of the substrate where the second light source is located.

6. the one light-emitting unit is the first light-emitting unit, 2. The vehicle rear lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the other light-emitting unit is the second light-emitting unit.

Citation Information

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