Vehicle display device

Abstract

To provide a display device for a vehicle which can make a display pattern further equally emit light.SOLUTION: A light guide body 30 has: first and second incident parts 31a, 31b for making light L emitted from first and second light sources 2a, 2b incident into a light guide part 3a; first and second reflection parts 34a, 34b arranged at opposing both-side faces of a light guide part 3b, and reflecting the light L incident from the first incident part 31a and the light L incident from the second incident part 31b toward opposing directions; a plurality of reflection cuts arranged at a back face side of the light guide part 3b, and reflecting the light L reflected by the first and second reflection parts 34a, 34b toward a front face side of the light guide part 3b; and a light emitting part 36 arranged at the front face side of the light guide part 3b, and emitting light in a shape corresponding to the display pattern by emitting the light L reflected by the plurality of reflection cuts to the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a combination of a light source such as a light-emitting diode (LED) and a light guide such as an inner lens (light guide lens) has been known as a vehicle display device mounted on a vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). As designs become more diverse, various types of such vehicle display devices have been developed.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a vehicle lighting plate comprising a housing made up of a base having side walls on all four sides and a cover lens attached to the tip of the side wall of the base, a light source arranged on the side wall of the housing, a light guide facing the light source and housed inside the housing, which diffuses light from the light source into the interior of the housing to illuminate the cover lens, and a light diffusion reflector arranged on the back surface of the light guide, wherein a specific display portion such as a letter or mark is formed three-dimensionally on the back surface of the cover lens, and the specific display portion is subjected to a light diffusion treatment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-221073 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, in the vehicle lighting plate described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when a hollow display pattern such as A, B, D, O, P, Q, R, 6, 8, 9, and 0 is displayed, a hole penetrating the light guide is formed inside the display pattern. In this case, the inside of the hole cannot guide light, making it difficult to uniformly illuminate such a hollow display pattern.

[0006] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and has an object to provide a vehicle display device that is capable of emitting light in a display pattern more uniformly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means. [1] A light source unit including a first light source and a second light source; a light guide body including a light guide portion that guides the light emitted from the first light source and the second light source, the light guide includes a first incident portion and a second incident portion that are disposed opposite the first light source and the second light source, respectively, and that allow the light emitted from the first light source and the second light source to enter the inside of the light guide portion; a first reflecting section and a second reflecting section that are arranged on both side surfaces of the light guiding section that face each other in a direction perpendicular to the first incident section and the second incident section, and that reflect the light incident from the first incident section and the light incident from the second incident section in directions that face each other; a plurality of reflection cutouts arranged on a rear side of the light guiding unit and reflecting the light reflected by the first reflection unit and the second reflection unit toward a front side of the light guiding unit; a light-emitting section that is disposed on the front side of the light-guiding section and emits light reflected by the plurality of reflection cutouts to the outside, thereby emitting light in a shape corresponding to a display pattern formed by the plurality of reflection cutouts; death, The light emitting section has a shape corresponding to the display pattern and is configured by a tip surface of a protrusion formed by protruding a part of the front side of the light guiding section toward the front. A vehicle display device characterized by: 。 [ 2The light guide device according to the present invention is characterized in that it includes a first bezel member disposed on the front side of the light guide body and covering the periphery of the protrusion. 1 ] The vehicle display device according to the present invention. [ 3 The light guide portion has a hole inside the protrusion. 1 ]or〔 2 ] The vehicle display device according to the present invention. [ 4 The light guide further includes a second bezel member disposed on the rear side of the light guide and covering the inside of the hole. 3 ] The vehicle display device according to the present invention. [ 5 the light guide includes a display area formed by arranging a plurality of the display patterns in one direction, the display area includes a plurality of light-emitting units, each including the light source unit and the light guide body, corresponding to each of the display patterns; The plurality of light emitting units are arranged in the one direction, and adjacent ones of the light guides are connected to each other. 4 ] The vehicle display device according to any one of the above items. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle display device that can emit light in a display pattern more uniformly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a vehicle display device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the vehicle display device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a front view showing a display pattern corresponding to "O" in a display area E displayed by the vehicle display device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle display device taken along line AA shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a light-emitting unit corresponding to the display pattern of "O" shown in FIG. 3, as viewed from the front side. [Figure 6] 4 is a front view showing the configuration of a light-emitting unit corresponding to the display pattern of "O" shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the light guide taken along line BB shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the light guide taken along line CC shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the light guide shown in FIG. 6 as seen from the rear side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] 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.

[0011] As one embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle display device 10 shown in, for example, FIGS. 1 to 9 will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the vehicle display device 10. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the vehicle display device 10. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a display pattern corresponding to "O" in a display area E displayed by the vehicle display device 10. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle display device 10 taken along line AA shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a light-emitting unit 40 corresponding to the display pattern of "O" as seen from the front side. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the configuration of a light-emitting unit 40 corresponding to the display pattern of "O". FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the light guide 30 taken along line BB shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the light guide 30 taken along line CC shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the light guide 30 shown in FIG. 6 as seen from the rear side.

[0012] In addition, in the drawings shown below, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is set, and the X-axis direction is the front-to-back direction (length direction) of the vehicle display device 10, the Y-axis direction is the left-to-right direction (width direction) of the vehicle display device 10, and the Z-axis direction is the up-to-down direction (height direction) of the vehicle display device 10.

[0013] The vehicular display device 10 of this embodiment is mounted, for example, on the back gate or trunk lid at the rear of the vehicle, and displays a brand name such as the vehicle name or manufacturer name as a display pattern by illuminating it. Note that the vehicular display device 10 of this embodiment shows an example in which it displays a five-character display pattern of "HELLO" as shown in FIG. 1.

[0014] The vehicle display device 10 of this embodiment includes a display area E in which multiple (five in this embodiment) display patterns (HELLO) are arranged in one direction (left and right in this embodiment), and the multiple display patterns (HELLO) are illuminated and displayed in this display area E.

[0015] Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, this vehicle display device 10 has multiple (five in this embodiment) light-emitting units 40 each including a light source section 20 and a light guide 30, and has a structure in which these multiple light-emitting units 40 are housed inside a bezel 50.

[0016] The light-emitting units 40 are arranged side by side in one direction, and have a structure in which adjacent light guides 30 are connected to each other. That is, adjacent light guides 30 constituting each light-emitting unit 40 are connected to each other to form a single inner lens (lens assembly) 30A. Meanwhile, the light source section 20 constituting each light-emitting unit 40 is provided corresponding to each light guide 30.

[0017] The plurality of light emitting units 40 are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of display patterns (HELLO). Each light emitting unit 40 has basically the same configuration except that the display pattern that each light emitting unit 40 displays is different.

[0018] Among the multiple display patterns (HELLO), the display pattern corresponding to "O" is a hollow display pattern with a hole formed inside. The present invention is suitably used when displaying such a hollow display pattern. Therefore, in this embodiment, the configuration of each light-emitting unit 40 will be specifically described, focusing on the light-emitting unit 40 corresponding to the display pattern of "O."

[0019] As shown in Figures 3 to 9, the light-emitting unit 40 includes a light source section 20 including a first light source 2a and a second light source 2b, and a light guide 30 including a first light guide section 3a and a second light guide section 3b that guide the light L emitted from the first light source 2a and the second light source 2b.

[0020] The first light source 2a and the second light source 2b are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the central axis AX in another direction (in this embodiment, the up-down direction) perpendicular to one direction (in this embodiment, the left-right direction) of the light guide 30.

[0021] The first light source 2a and the second light source 2b are each composed of at least one light-emitting element 2. In this embodiment, two light-emitting elements 2 are arranged adjacent to each other in one direction for each of the first light source 2a and the second light source 2b. That is, four light-emitting elements 2 are arranged for one light guide 30.

[0022] The number of light-emitting elements 2 to be arranged is not limited to a configuration in which two light-emitting elements 2 are arranged for each of the first light source 2a and the second light source 2b described above, but may be a configuration in which one light-emitting element 2 is arranged for each, and can be changed as appropriate according to the size of the display pattern, etc.

[0023] The light-emitting element 2 is, for example, an LED that emits red light, and is mounted on one surface (the lower surface in this embodiment) of the circuit board 4 on which a drive circuit for driving the LED is provided. This allows the light-emitting element 2 to emit light L radially downward. That is, the light-emitting elements 2 that constitute the first light source 2a and the second light source 2b are provided on the same surface of the same circuit board 4, and emit light L in the same direction.

[0024] In this embodiment, the LEDs constituting the light-emitting elements 2 described above and the drive circuits that drive the LEDs are mounted on the circuit board 4, but it is also possible to arrange the mounting board on which the LEDs are mounted and the circuit board on which the drive circuits that drive the LEDs are provided separately, and electrically connect these mounting boards and circuit boards via a wiring cord called a harness to protect the drive circuits from the heat generated by the LEDs.

[0025] The light guide 30 (inner lens 30A) is made of a light-transmitting material such as a transparent resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic, or glass. The light guide 30 is bent between a first light guide portion 3a having a substantially flat plate shape extending in the front-rear direction and a second light guide portion 3b having a substantially flat plate shape extending in the up-down direction, and has a shape that is symmetrical with respect to the central axis AX of the first light source 2a and the second light source 2b. The first light guide portion 3a forms a portion that connects the light guides 30 constituting each light-emitting unit 40 in one direction.

[0026] The light guide 30 has a first incident portion 31a and a second incident portion 31b arranged at the upper part of the rear end side of the first light guide portion 3a, a first reflecting surface 32 arranged at the rear end of the first light guide portion 3a, a second reflecting surface 33 arranged between the front end of the first light guide portion 3a and the upper end of the second light guide portion 3b, a first reflecting portion 34a and a second reflecting portion 34b arranged on both side surfaces in the width direction of the second light guide portion 3b, a plurality of reflection cuts 35 arranged on the back side of the second light guide portion 3b, and a light emitting portion 36 arranged on the front side of the second light guide portion 3b.

[0027] The first incident portion 31a and the second incident portion 31b are arranged in a row in one direction, facing each of the plurality of light-emitting elements 2 that constitute the first light source 2a and the second light source 2b, in multiple numbers (four in this embodiment).

[0028] The first incident portion 31a and the second incident portion 31b have a lens shape that collimates or condenses the light L radially emitted from the first light source 2a and the second light source 2b, and causes the light L to enter the inside of the first light guiding portion 3a. As a result, the light L incident from the first incident portion 31a and the second incident portion 31b is guided inside the first light guiding portion 3a toward the first reflecting surface 32 below.

[0029] The first incident portion 31a and the second incident portion 31b are not necessarily limited to the lens shape described above, and may be configured, for example, to have a flat (planar) incident surface from which light L is incident into the inside of the first light-guiding portion 3a.

[0030] First reflecting surface 32 extends in the width direction of first light guiding section 3a and is inclined at a predetermined angle (45° in this embodiment) toward the front end side of first light guiding section 3a. As a result, first reflecting surface 32 reflects light L incident from first incident section 31a and second incident section 31b toward second reflecting surface 33 in the front. In other words, light L reflected by first reflecting surface 32 is guided inside first light guiding section 3a toward second reflecting surface 33 in the front.

[0031] Second reflecting surface 33 extends in the width direction of first light guiding section 3a and is inclined at a predetermined angle (45° in this embodiment) toward the lower end of second light guiding section 3b. As a result, second reflecting surface 33 reflects light L guided inside first light guiding section 3a downward toward second light guiding section 3b. In other words, light L reflected by second reflecting surface 33 is guided inside second light guiding section 3b downward toward first reflecting section 34a and second reflecting section 34b.

[0032] The first reflecting portion 34a and the second reflecting portion 34b are formed by gradual reduction in the width of the second light-guiding portion 3b toward the bottom of the second light-guiding portion 3b, so that both opposing side surfaces of the second light-guiding portion 3b are formed as inclined reflecting surfaces.

[0033] That is, the first reflecting portion 34a and the second reflecting portion 34b are arranged opposite each other on both side surfaces of the second light guide portion 3b in a direction perpendicular to the first incident portion 31a and the second incident portion 31b. Therefore, the first reflecting portion 34a intersects with the light L incident from the first incident portion 31a. On the other hand, the second reflecting portion 34b intersects with the light L incident from the second incident portion 31b.

[0034] As a result, the first reflecting portion 34a and the second reflecting portion 34b reflect the light L guided downward into the second light guiding portion 3b in the width direction of the second light guiding portion 3b. That is, the first reflecting portion 34a and the second reflecting portion 34b reflect the light L incident from the first incident portion 31a and the light L incident from the second incident portion 31b in directions facing each other.

[0035] In addition, the first reflecting portion 34a and the second reflecting portion 34b control the reflection direction of light L reflected in the width direction of the second light guiding portion 3b by a plurality of reflection cuts 34c provided on both side surfaces (reflecting surfaces) of the second light guiding portion 3b.

[0036] The multiple reflection cuts 34c are formed by grooves with an approximately V-shaped cross section that are cut out in the front-to-back direction (thickness direction) of the second light-guiding section 3b and are periodically arranged in the vertical direction on both side surfaces of the second light-guiding section 3b.

[0037] The plurality of reflection cuts 34c may be provided over part or all of both side surfaces of the second light guide section 3b. The plurality of reflection cuts 34c may also be omitted in some cases. In this case, the reflection direction of the light L can be controlled by the shape of the inclined side surfaces of the second light guide section 3b.

[0038] The plurality of reflection cuts 35 are provided in a reflection area P on the back surface of the second light guide 3b, which corresponds to the display pattern of "O." The plurality of reflection cuts 35 are configured by grooves, each with a generally V-shaped cross section, cut out in the vertical direction of the second light guide 3b and periodically arranged in the left-right direction (width direction) of the second light guide 3b inside this reflection area P.

[0039] As a result, the plurality of reflection cuts 35 reflect the light L reflected by the first reflection portion 34a and the second reflection portion 34b toward the front side of the second light guide portion 3b. That is, the plurality of reflection cuts 35 reflect the light L that has entered the reflection region P corresponding to the display pattern of "O" toward the front side of the second light guide portion 3b.

[0040] The light-emitting unit 36 ​​is configured by a tip surface 37a of a protrusion 37 formed by a part of the front side of the second light-guiding unit 3b protruding forward in a shape corresponding to the display pattern of "O." The second light-guiding unit 3b also has a hole 37b inside the protrusion 37.

[0041] The light emitting unit 36 ​​emits light L reflected by the plurality of reflection cutouts 35 from the tip surface 37a of the protrusion 37 to the outside of the second light guiding unit 3b. This allows the tip surface 37a of the protrusion 37 to emit red light as a light emitting surface shaped in accordance with the display pattern of "O."

[0042] As a result, even when a hollow display pattern with a hole 37b formed inside, such as a display pattern corresponding to the letter "O," is displayed, it is possible to uniformly illuminate the light-emitting surface shaped to correspond to the hollow display pattern by using light L from the first light source 2a and the second light source 2b arranged on one side of the light guide 30 in the vertical direction, without arranging another component such as a light source on the other side of the light guide 30 in the vertical direction.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the bezel 50 has a first bezel member 5A arranged on the front side of the inner lens 30A (light guide 30), a second bezel member 5B arranged on the back side of the inner lens 30A (light guide 30), and a third bezel member 5C arranged on the top side of the inner lens 30A (light guide 30).

[0044] The first bezel member 5A, the second bezel member 5B, and the third bezel member 5C are made of colored (e.g., black) light-blocking material, and when combined with each other, house multiple light-emitting units 40. The shape of the bezel 50 can be changed as appropriate to suit the design of the vehicle, etc.

[0045] The first bezel member 5A has a plurality of (five in this embodiment) openings 51 each having a shape corresponding to one of the plurality of display patterns (HELLO). The first bezel member 5A is arranged to cover the periphery of the protrusion 37 by arranging the protrusion 37 inside the opening 51 so that the tip surface 37a of the protrusion 37 faces the outside through the opening 51.

[0046] The second bezel member 5B has a protrusion 52 that protrudes forward in a shape corresponding to the hole 37b. The second bezel member 5B is disposed so as to cover the inside of the hole 37b by having the tip of the protrusion 52 face outward from the hole 37b.

[0047] The third bezel member 5C covers the top and both side surfaces of the inner lens 30A (light guide 30), and has an opening 53 on the front side that is opened in a shape corresponding to the first bezel member 5A.

[0048] As a result, the bezel 50 blocks light L emitted from the plurality of light-emitting units 40 corresponding to each of the plurality of display patterns (HELLO) other than from the tip surface 37a of the protrusion 37.

[0049] In the vehicle display device 10 of this embodiment having the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, it is possible to make the plurality of light-emitting units 40 emit red light in shapes corresponding to each of the plurality of display patterns (HELLO).

[0050] In the vehicle display device 10 of this embodiment, even when a hollow display pattern with a hole 37b formed inside it, such as the display pattern corresponding to the above-mentioned "O," is displayed, this hollow display pattern can be made to emit light more uniformly, and display patterns other than "O" can also be made to emit light more uniformly.

[0051] Therefore, in the vehicle display device 10 of this embodiment, it is possible to improve the appearance of the plurality of display patterns (HELLO) when they are illuminated in the display area E.

[0052] 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 light-emitting unit 40, the light L emitted downward from the first light source 2a and the second light source 2b (light-emitting elements 2) mounted on the circuit board 4 enters the first light guide 3a through the first entrance portion 31a and the second entrance portion 31b arranged at the upper part of the rear end side of the first light guide 3a, but the configuration is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the light L emitted forward from the first light source 2a and the second light source 2b (light-emitting elements 2) mounted on the circuit board 4 may enter the first light guide 3a through the first entrance portion 31a and the second entrance portion 31b arranged at the rear end side of the first light guide 3a.

[0053] The display patterns may include, but are not limited to, letters, numbers, logos, characters, etc. Furthermore, the configuration is not necessarily limited to one in which one light-emitting unit 40 displays one display pattern, and one light-emitting unit 40 may display multiple display patterns.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the first bezel member 5A and the second bezel member 5B (bezel 50) are arranged to cover the periphery of the protrusion 37 of the light-emitting unit 36 ​​and the inside of the hole 37b, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this configuration. For example, if the light-emitting unit 36 ​​is flat and does not protrude, the bezel may be arranged to cover the periphery of the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting unit 36, which emits light in a shape corresponding to the display pattern.

[0055] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was given of the application of the present invention to a vehicle display device 10 mounted on the back gate or trunk lid at the rear of the vehicle as described above, but the present invention can also be applied to a vehicle display device 10 mounted on the front side of the vehicle, such as the front grille.

[0056] Furthermore, for the first light source 2a and the second light source 2b, other than the above-mentioned LED, it is also possible to use light emitting elements 2 such as laser diodes (LDs). Furthermore, the color of the light emitted by the light emitting elements 2 is not limited to the above-mentioned red light, but can be changed appropriately depending on the display pattern, such as white light. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10...vehicle display device 20...light source section 30...light guide body 30A...inner lens (lens combination body) 40...light emitting unit 50...bezel 2a...first light source 2b...second light source 2...light emitting element 3a...first light guide section 3b...second light guide section 4...circuit board 5A...first bezel member 5B...second bezel member 5C...third bezel member 31a...first incident section 31b...second incident section 32...first reflective surface 33...second reflective surface 34a...first reflective section 34b...second reflective section 34c...multiple reflection cuts 35...multiple reflection cuts 36...light emitting section 37...protrusion 37a...tip surface 37b...hole 51...opening 52...protrusion E...display area P...reflective area L...light

Claims

1. a light source unit including a first light source and a second light source; a light guide body including a light guide portion that guides the light emitted from the first light source and the second light source, the light guide includes a first incident portion and a second incident portion that are disposed opposite the first light source and the second light source, respectively, and that allow the light emitted from the first light source and the second light source to enter the light guide portion; a first reflecting portion and a second reflecting portion that are arranged on both side surfaces of the light guiding portion that face each other in a direction perpendicular to the first incident portion and the second incident portion, and that reflect the light incident from the first incident portion and the light incident from the second incident portion in directions that face each other; a plurality of reflection cutouts disposed on a rear surface side of the light guiding unit, the reflection cutouts reflecting the light reflected by the first reflection unit and the second reflection unit toward a front surface side of the light guiding unit; a light-emitting section that is disposed on a front side of the light-guiding section and emits light reflected by the plurality of reflection cutouts to the outside, thereby emitting light in a shape corresponding to a display pattern formed by the plurality of reflection cutouts; The vehicle display device is characterized in that the light-emitting portion is configured by the tip surface of a protrusion that has a shape corresponding to the display pattern and has a portion of the front side of the light-guiding portion that protrudes forward.

2. The vehicle display device according to claim 1 , further comprising a first bezel member disposed on a front side of the light guide and covering a periphery of the protrusion.

3. 3. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein the light guide portion has a hole inside the protrusion.

4. The vehicle display device according to claim 3 , further comprising a second bezel member disposed on a rear side of the light guide and covering the inside of the hole.

5. a display area configured by arranging a plurality of the display patterns in one direction; the display area includes a plurality of light-emitting units, each including the light source unit and the light guide body, corresponding to each of the display patterns; The vehicle display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the plurality of light-emitting units are arranged in a line in the one direction and have a structure in which adjacent light guides are connected to each other.

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