Display device for motorcycles

Abstract

To provide a display device for a motor cycle that can reduce movements of a visual line of a driver to confirm display contents to enable the driver to easily grasp the display contents.SOLUTION: A sub display device 20 is provided with a plurality of light sources that are positioned at an upper end part of a cowl 15 of a motor cycle 1, arranged in a lateral direction when viewed from a driver of the motor cycle 1, and notify the driver of notice information by lighting up in a preset lighting-up pattern.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display device for a two-wheeled vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] For example, the vehicle warning device described in Patent Document 1 emits display light toward a diffusion reflection portion provided on a cowl to make a driver visually recognize the presence of warning information, and displays the content of the warning information on a display device. As a result, two displays, i.e., the diffusion reflection portion and the display device, can be provided at the lower part of the cowl.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1 above, a driver has to direct their line of sight to the lower part of the cowl to visually check the display, which takes time until the driver visually recognizes the display content.

[0005] In view of the above actual situation, the present disclosure has been made, and an object thereof is to provide a display device for a two-wheeled vehicle that can reduce the movement of a driver's line of sight for checking display content and make it easier for the driver to grasp the display content.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, a display device for a two-wheeled vehicle according to the present disclosure is a display device for a two-wheeled vehicle, which is located at an upper end portion of a windshield of the two-wheeled vehicle, arranged in a left-right direction as viewed from a driver of the two-wheeled vehicle, and includes a plurality of light sources that notify a driver of notification information by lighting in a preset lighting pattern The device comprises a pair of support frames, which are arranged in the left-right direction and extend in the height direction, supporting both left and right ends of the main body of the motorcycle vehicle display device, and at least one of the pair of support frames is formed in a cylindrical shape to accommodate wiring extending from the motorcycle vehicle display device. Furthermore, the motorcycle vehicle display device according to this disclosure is a motorcycle vehicle display device that is located at the upper end of the windshield of the motorcycle vehicle, is arranged in a left-right direction as viewed from the driver of the motorcycle vehicle, and includes a plurality of light sources that notify the driver of notification information by lighting up in a preset lighting pattern, and the lighting area, which is the area lit up by the light from the plurality of light sources, is formed so that its size increases from the center line in the left-right direction toward both ends. Furthermore, the motorcycle vehicle display device according to this disclosure comprises a plurality of light sources located at the upper end of the windshield of the motorcycle vehicle, arranged in a left-right direction as viewed from the driver of the motorcycle vehicle, and notifying the driver of notification information by lighting up in a preset lighting pattern, and icon display units located at both ends of the motorcycle vehicle display device in the left-right direction, which display icons related to the notification information being notified. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, the driver's eye movement required to check the displayed content can be reduced, making it easier for the driver to understand the displayed content. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a rear view of a motorcycle vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram of a display device for a motorcycle vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a front view of a sub-display device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is an exploded perspective view of a sub-display device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing the lighting pattern of a lighting segment according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing the lighting pattern of a lighting segment according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing the lighting pattern of a lighting segment according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 8] This is a front view of the cowl, main display device and sub-display device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of the cowl, main display device and sub-display device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cowl and support frame according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] This is an exploded perspective view of a sub-display device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] This is a front view of a sub-display device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13]It is a front view of a sub-display device according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] (First Embodiment) A display device for a motorcycle according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the motorcycle 1 includes a control unit 10, a main display device 50, a sub-display device 20, and a cowl 15.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the cowl 15 is a windshield provided for rectifying the running wind and is provided in front of the driver of the motorcycle 1. The cowl 15 is formed of a transparent material and is formed in a plate shape that curves in the left-right direction and the height direction of the motorcycle 1 so as to bulge toward the front of the motorcycle 1. The upper edge portion of the cowl 15 forms an arc shape that bulges convexly upward.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 10 includes a processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GDC (Graphics Display Controller), and a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The control unit 10 inputs information IN from the outside and controls the main display device 50 and the sub-display device 20 based on the input information IN. The information IN is route guidance information from a navigation system and / or obstacle information from an obstacle detection system.

[0012] The main display device 50 displays information such as vehicle speed display, remaining fuel display, turn-by-turn (TBT) display, forward obstacle warning display, and rearward obstacle warning display under the control of the control unit 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the main display device 50 is provided below the cowl 15 and near the rotation center of the handle of the motorcycle 1. The main display device 50 has, for example, a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) type liquid crystal display. The main display device 50 displays the same content as that of the sub-display device 20. For example, when the sub-display device 20 performs TBT display as described later, the main display device 50 displays the turn direction and the distance to the turn position in synchronization with this TBT display. Note that the main display device 50 may be an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display device or a meter display device of a pointer meter. Further, this meter display device may be provided with warning means having the same configuration as the icon display units 40L and 40R described later.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the sub-display device 20 has a long shape in the left-right direction as viewed from the driver, and is fixed at a position along the upper end of the cowl 15 on the driver side surface of the cowl 15. The sub-display device 20 displays information by lighting a plurality of, in this example, eight lighting segments 21a to 21h (see FIG. 3) in various lighting patterns under the control of the control unit 10. The lighting segments 21a to 21h are arranged in a single row in the left-right direction and each has the same size circular shape. In the present embodiment, the sub-display device 20 performs TBT display for notifying the turn direction and the distance to the turn position by the lighting patterns of the lighting segments 21a to 21h.

[0014] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the sub-display device 20 includes a case 22L, a cover 22U, a light source substrate 23, a plurality of light sources 23a to 23h, a partition 24, a diffusion plate 25, and a plurality of louvers 26a and 26b.

[0015] The case 22L and cover 22U are made of light-shielding resin or metal. The case 22L is box-shaped and houses the light source substrate 23, partition 24, diffuser plate 25, and louvers 26a and 26b. The opening of the case 22L is closed by the cover 22U. The cover 22U has an opening 22K through which light from the light sources 23a to 23h passes.

[0016] The light source substrate 23 is a rectangular plate that is long in the left-right direction. Multiple light sources 23a to 23h are mounted on the mounting surface of the light source substrate 23; in this example, eight light sources 23a to 23h are mounted. Each of the multiple light sources 23a to 23h corresponds one-to-one with a lighting segment 21a to 21h (see Figure 3). For example, light from light source 23a shines on lighting segment 21a, thereby lighting up lighting segment 21a. Each light source 23a to 23h consists of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and its lighting is controlled by the control unit 10. The light sources 23a to 23h are arranged in a single row in the left-right direction. The light sources 23a to 23h emit a predetermined color, for example, red light.

[0017] The partition 24 is installed on the mounting surface of the light source substrate 23 and has openings 24a to 24h surrounding each light source 23a to 23h. Each opening 24a to 24h is a through-hole that penetrates the partition 24 in the thickness direction and functions as a light guide that directs light from the light sources 23a to 23h toward the diffuser plate 25. When viewed from the front of the sub-display device 20, each opening 24a to 24h is circular in shape, similar to the illuminated segments 21a to 21h (see Figure 3). In this embodiment, the sizes of each opening 24a to 24h are formed to be the same.

[0018] The diffuser plate 25 is located between the partition 24 and the louvers 26a and 26b, and diffuses the light from the light sources 23a to 23h.

[0019] The louvers 26a and 26b are light distribution limiting optical components that have the function of restricting the direction of light emission by controlling the direction of light emission (emission angle) of incident light. The louvers 26a and 26b are light control films (LCFs), which are films with a fine louver structure inside, and these louvers control the direction of light emission. Louver 26a restricts the light emission direction in either the height direction or the left-right direction, while louver 26b restricts the light emission direction in either the height direction or the left-right direction. Louvers 26a and 26b are configured such that the light emission direction (emission angle) is within the range of 10° to 35°, with the direction perpendicular to the surface of louvers 26a and 26b being 0°. By using louvers 26a and 26b to limit the illumination range of light from light sources 23a to 23h to the front of the driver of the motorcycle 1, drivers of other vehicles will be unable to see the display on the sub-display device 20.

[0020] Next, the display modes of the sub-display device 20, specifically the TBT display mode in this embodiment, will be described. As shown in Figure 3, in the TBT display of the sub-display device 20, illuminated segments 21a to 21d, which are located to the left of the center line CL among the illuminated segments 21a to 21h, correspond to left turns. Also, illuminated segments 21e to 21h, which are located to the right of the center line CL among the illuminated segments 21a to 21h, correspond to right turns. In this way, the sub-display device 20 can indicate the direction relative to the vehicle to the driver by changing the area of ​​use among all the illuminated segments 21a to 21h.

[0021] The memory of the control unit 10 stores multiple different lighting patterns. These lighting patterns include information related to the combination of light sources 23a to 23h (lighting segments 21a to 21h) to be lit, the lighting order, and the period of the lighting pattern (the time required for one lighting pattern). The control unit 10 receives information IN from an external source, selects one of several lighting patterns stored in memory based on the input information IN, and controls the lighting of the light sources 23a to 23h based on the selected lighting pattern.

[0022] When the TBT display indicates that the turn direction is a left turn, the control unit 10 selects a lighting pattern that switches the illuminated segments 21a to 21d to light up in sequence. Also, when the TBT display indicates that the turn direction is a right turn, the control unit 10 selects a lighting pattern that switches the illuminated segments 21e to 21h to light up in sequence. Furthermore, when the control unit 10 indicates the distance from the current location to the turn position in the TBT display, it selects a lighting pattern that uses fewer lighting segments 21a to 21h as the distance decreases.

[0023] The following describes the display patterns of the sub-display device 20 as the distance from the motorcycle 1 to the left-turn position approaches from long distance to medium distance to short distance. When the distance to the left turn position is long, the control unit 10 repeatedly performs a lighting pattern in which the lights are illuminated in the order of illuminated segment 21d → illuminated segment 21c → illuminated segment 21b → illuminated segment 21a, starting from the center line CL and moving to the left. In other words, the lights are illuminated sequentially starting from the illuminated segment closest to the center line CL and moving toward the direction to be notified (left). In the lighting pattern of this embodiment, when the lighting of any of the first lighting segments 21a to 21h is started, the lighting of the second lighting segment that was lit before the first lighting segment continues. Therefore, in this lighting pattern, the length of the lighting segments increases with the passage of time. In addition to this example, when the first illuminated segment begins to light up, the second illuminated segment that was lit immediately before the first illuminated segment may be turned off. In this lighting pattern, multiple illuminated segments will not be lit simultaneously; instead, the position of each illuminated segment will switch in a flowing manner.

[0024] When the distance to the left turn position becomes medium, the control unit 10 maintains the off state of the illuminated segment 21d and repeatedly performs a lighting pattern in which the illuminated segments 21c → illuminated segment 21b → illuminated segment 21a are lit in the order shown from the top to the bottom of Figure 6, starting from the center line CL to the left.

[0025] When the distance to the left turn position becomes short, the control unit 10 maintains the off state of illuminated segments 21c and 21d, and repeatedly performs a lighting pattern in which illuminated segments 21c → illuminated segment 21d in the order shown sequentially from the center line CL to the left, as shown in Figure 7 from top to bottom.

[0026] As described above, as the distance to the left turn position decreases, the number of illuminated segments decreases from the center line CL side. Therefore, the maximum length of the illuminated segments L1, L2, L3 (see Figures 5, 6, and 7) becomes shorter, and the time taken for one illumination pattern (the period of the illumination pattern) also becomes shorter. Thus, it becomes easier for the driver to recognize that the distance to the left turn position is short. The lighting patterns for segments 21e to 21h corresponding to right turns are the same as those for segments 21a to 21d corresponding to left turns, except that they are symmetrical. Therefore, the explanation is omitted.

[0027] (effect) The first embodiment described above provides the following effects. (1) A sub-display device 20, which is an example of a display device for a motorcycle vehicle, is located at the upper end of a cowl 15, which is an example of a windshield of a motorcycle vehicle 1, and is arranged in a left-right direction as viewed from the driver of the motorcycle vehicle 1, and comprises multiple light sources 23a to 23h that notify the driver of notification information by lighting up in a preset lighting pattern. With this configuration, since the sub-display device 20 is located at the upper end of the cowl 15, the driver does not need to lower their gaze to visually check the display content of the sub-display device 20. Therefore, the driver's eye movement to check the display content of the sub-display device 20 is reduced, making it easier for the driver to understand the display content.

[0028] (2) The sub-display device 20 includes louvers 26a and 26b, which are an example of a light distribution limiting unit that limits the direction of light emission from a plurality of light sources 23a to 23h. This configuration prevents others other than the driver from seeing the display on the sub-display device 20. (3) The sub-display device 20 is located at the upper end of the cowl 15, which is an example of a windscreen for the motorcycle vehicle 1, and comprises a plurality of light sources 23a to 23h arranged in the left-right direction as viewed from the driver of the motorcycle vehicle 1, and a control unit 10 that receives route guidance information and notifies the driver of notification information by lighting up the plurality of light sources 23a to 23h in a lighting pattern selected from a plurality of pre-set lighting patterns based on the input route guidance information. The control unit 10 selects a lighting pattern according to the distance to the turn position and the turn direction included in the route guidance information. With this configuration, since the sub-display device 20 is located at the upper end of the cowl 15, the driver does not need to lower their gaze to visually check the display related to route guidance information. Therefore, the driver's eye movement to check the contents of the sub-display device 20 is reduced, making it easier for the driver to understand the displayed content.

[0029] (Second embodiment) A display device for motorcycles according to the second embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment described above. As shown in Figure 8, the sub-display device 20A comprises a main body 29, support frames 5L, 5R that support the main body 29 of the sub-display device 20A, and icon display units 40L, 40R. The main body 29 includes the case 22L, cover 22U, light source substrate 23, light sources 23a to 23h, partition 24, diffuser plate 25, and louvers 26a and 26b as described above.

[0030] As shown in Figure 8, the main body 29 of the sub-display device 20A has a curved shape that bulges upward along the upper edge of the cowl 15. In this embodiment, each illuminated segment is formed as a bar that is long in the left-right direction, and in this example, it is formed as a curved bar. The illuminated area 28 consisting of each illuminated segment has a curved bar shape that bulges upward. The sub-display device 20A is equipped with a light guide (not shown) made of a light-transmitting material that emits light when it receives light from a light source. The bar-shaped illuminated segments light up when this light guide emits light.

[0031] The icon display units 40L and 40R are located at both ends of the main body 29 of the sub-display device 20A in the left-right direction. Therefore, when the lighting pattern of the first embodiment is applied to this embodiment, the illuminated segments are lit sequentially so that they flow toward the icon display units 40L and 40R. This allows the driver's gaze to be drawn to the icon display units 40L and 40R.

[0032] As shown in an enlarged view at the top of Figure 8, the icon display unit 40L is configured to illuminate an icon 41 related to TBT display, an icon 42 related to forward obstacle warning, and an icon 43 related to rear obstacle warning, under the control of the control unit 10. Icons 41 to 43 are arranged in the left-right direction, and one of the icons 41 to 43, in this example, icon 42, is located below the edge of the illuminated area 28. The illumination color of icons 41 to 43 is, for example, orange or red. The icon display unit 40L includes a light source (not shown) provided for each of the icons 41 to 43 (not shown), and a display panel (not shown) that illuminates the icons 41 to 43 by transmitting only a portion of the light from the light source. The icon display unit 40R is configured similarly to the icon display unit 40L, except that it is symmetrical to the icon display unit 40L. The control unit 10 lights up the icon on the icon display unit 40L when the turn direction or obstacle is on the left, and lights up the icon on the icon display unit 40R when the turn direction or obstacle is on the right.

[0033] During the period in which the control unit 10 is performing lighting control that repeats the lighting pattern associated with the TBT display described in the first embodiment above, it lights up icon 41 and turns off icons 42 and 43. At this time, the control unit 10 also displays an image related to the TBT on the main display device 50.

[0034] During the period in which the control unit 10 is performing lighting control that repeats the lighting pattern associated with the forward obstacle warning, it lights up icon 42 and turns off icons 41 and 43. At this time, the control unit 10 also displays an image related to the forward obstacle warning on the main display device 50. The lighting pattern associated with the forward obstacle warning is the same as the TBT display described in the first embodiment above. For example, when the obstacle is located to the left front of the vehicle, the control unit 10 selects a lighting pattern in which it lights up icon 42 in the icon display unit 40L and sequentially lights up lighting segments 21a to 21d located in the area to the left half of the center line CL. When the obstacle is located to the right of the vehicle, the control unit 10 selects a lighting pattern in which it lights up icon 42 in the icon display unit 40R and sequentially lights up lighting segments 21e to 21h located in the area to the right half of the center line CL. Furthermore, as the distance from the vehicle to the obstacle decreases, the control unit 10 selects a lighting pattern in which the number of lighting segments to be lit decreases.

[0035] During the period in which the control unit 10 is performing lighting control that repeats the lighting pattern associated with the rear obstacle warning, it lights up icon 43 and turns off icons 41 and 42. At this time, the control unit 10 also displays an image related to the rear obstacle warning on the main display device 50. The lighting pattern associated with the rear obstacle warning is the same as the TBT display described in the first embodiment above. For example, when the obstacle is located to the left rear of the vehicle, the control unit 10 selects a lighting pattern in which it lights up icon 43 of the icon display unit 40L and lights up lighting segments 21a to 21d located in the area to the left half of the center line CL. When the obstacle is located to the right rear of the vehicle, the control unit 10 selects a lighting pattern in which it lights up icon 43 of the icon display unit 40R and lights up lighting segments 21e to 21h located in the area to the right half of the center line CL in sequence. Furthermore, when the obstacle is located to the left rear, the control unit 10 repeatedly performs a lighting pattern in which it lights up lighting segment 21a → lighting segment 21b → lighting segment 21c → lighting segment 21d in the order from the left to the center line CL. In other words, the lights are illuminated sequentially from the closest illuminated segment toward the center line CL, starting from the segment closest to the direction you want to notify (to the right if the obstacle is located to the right). To put it another way, the lighting pattern for TBT display and forward obstacle warning lights are illuminated sequentially from the center line CL toward the left and right directions, while the lighting pattern for rear obstacle warning lights are illuminated sequentially from the left or right direction you want to notify, toward the center line CL, so the relationship between the starting and ending points of the illumination is different for each.

[0036] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the support frames 5L and 5R are made of metal or resin. The support frames 5L and 5R extend along the height direction and are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The support frames 5L and 5R are along the left and right edges of the cowl 15. The upper ends of the support frames 5L and 5R support both left and right ends of the main body 29 of the sub-display device 20A. The lower ends of the support frames 5L and 5R are fixed to the support members 15a of the cowl 15. The support members 15a are fixed to the main body of the motorcycle 1. The support frames 5L and 5R suppress vibrations of the main body 29 of the sub-display device 20A caused by wind, etc., and the sub-display device 20A is stably supported. In addition, because the support frames 5L and 5R are along the left and right edges of the cowl 15, the support frames 5L and 5R are prevented from obstructing the driver's view. Support frames 5L and 5R also function as reinforcements for cowl 15.

[0037] As shown in Figure 10, the support frames 5L and 5R are cylindrical in shape, with the interior extending vertically; in this example, they are rectangular. Wiring 8, which electrically connects the sub-display device 20A and the control unit 10, passes through the support frame 5L. Wiring 8 includes power lines, signal lines, and ground lines. By housing the wiring 8 within the support frame 5L, disconnection of the wiring 8 can be suppressed, and deterioration of the design due to the wiring 8 can be prevented.

[0038] (effect) The second embodiment described above provides the following effects. (1) The sub-display device 20A is located at the upper end of the cowl 15, which is an example of a windscreen for the motorcycle vehicle 1, and comprises a plurality of light sources 23a to 23h arranged in the left-right direction as viewed from the driver of the sub-display device 20A, and a control unit 10 that inputs obstacle information regarding the position of obstacles around the motorcycle vehicle 1, and notifies the driver of notification information by lighting up the plurality of light sources 23a to 23h in a lighting pattern selected from a plurality of pre-set lighting patterns based on the input obstacle information. The control unit 10 selects a lighting pattern according to the direction in which the obstacle is located relative to the motorcycle vehicle 1, as included in the obstacle information. With this configuration, since the sub-display device 20A is located at the upper end of the cowl 15, the driver does not need to lower their gaze to visually check the display related to obstacle information. Therefore, the driver's eye movement to check the contents of the sub-display device 20A is reduced, making it easier for the driver to understand the displayed contents.

[0039] (2) The control unit 10 selects a lighting pattern that uses fewer light sources 23a to 23h as the distance from the motorcycle 1 to the obstacle decreases. With this configuration, the driver can intuitively recognize that the distance to the obstacle has decreased.

[0040] (3) The sub-display device 20A is equipped with icon display units 40L and 40R located at both ends of the sub-display device 20A, which display icons 41, 42, and 43 associated with the notification information being notified. The control unit 10 displays the type of obstacle (for example, a front obstacle or a rear obstacle) on the icon display units 40L and 40R, selects a lighting pattern according to the direction in which the obstacle is located, and lights up a plurality of light sources 23a to 23h with the selected lighting pattern. With this configuration, the driver can easily recognize what the lighting patterns of the light sources 23a to 23h indicate by the icons 41, 42, and 43 displayed on the icon display units 40L and 40R.

[0041] (4) The sub-display device 20A is arranged in the left-right direction and extends in the height direction, and includes a pair of support frames 5L, 5R that support both ends of the main body 29 of the sub-display device 20A in the left-right direction. In this configuration, the sub-display device 20A is stably supported by the support frames 5L and 5R.

[0042] (5) The support frame 5L is formed in a cylindrical shape to accommodate the wiring 8 extending from the sub-display device 20A. This configuration makes it possible to suppress disconnection of wiring 8.

[0043] (6) The sub-display device 20A is equipped with icon display units 40L and 40R located at both ends in the left-right direction of the sub-display device 20A, which display one of the icons 41, 42, or 43 associated with the notification information being notified. With this configuration, the driver can easily recognize what the lighting patterns of the light sources 23a to 23h indicate by the icons 41, 42, and 43 displayed on the icon display units 40L and 40R.

[0044] (Third embodiment) A display device for motorcycles according to the third embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment described above. As shown in Figure 11, the openings 24a to 24h of the partition 24 of the sub-display device 20B have different circular sizes, with the size of the openings 24a to 24h decreasing closer to the center line CL. The openings 24a and 24h at both the left and right ends are the largest, while the openings 24d and 24e on the center line CL side are the smallest.

[0045] As shown in Figure 12, the size of the illuminated segments 21a to 21h decreases as they approach the center line CL, depending on the size of the openings 24a to 24h. As a result, the illuminated segments 21a to 21h are arranged to narrow as they approach the center line CL, creating a perspective effect where they converge towards a point on the center line CL (vanishing point VP), thus creating a sense of depth.

[0046] Next, we will explain the lighting pattern associated with the rear obstacle warning when an obstacle (for example, another vehicle) approaches the right rear of motorcycle 1 while the right turn signal of motorcycle 1 is flashing. In this example, the lighting segments 21a to 21h are switched from the left and right ends toward the center line CL. When the distance to the obstacle behind is long, the control unit 10 repeatedly performs a lighting pattern as shown by arrow K1 in Figure 12, in which the lights are illuminated in the order of illuminated segment 21h → illuminated segment 21g → illuminated segment 21f → illuminated segment 21e from the right end toward the center line CL.

[0047] When the distance to the obstacle behind is medium, the control unit 10 keeps the illuminated segment 21e off and repeatedly performs a lighting pattern in which the illuminated segments 21h → 21g → 21f are lit in the order shown by arrow K2 in Figure 12, starting from the right end towards the center line CL.

[0048] When the distance to the rear obstacle is short, the control unit 10 keeps the illuminated segments 21e and 21f in the off state and repeatedly performs a lighting pattern in which the illuminated segments 21h → 21g are lit in the order shown by arrow K3 in Figure 12, starting from the right end towards the center line CL. As described above, as an obstacle approaches, the number of light sources to be illuminated decreases from the center line CL side, so the length of the illuminated area that flows becomes shorter, and the time taken for one illumination pattern (the period of the illumination pattern) also becomes shorter. The lighting pattern of segments 21a to 21d when an obstacle approaches the left rear of motorcycle 1 is the same as the lighting pattern of segments 21e to 21h when an obstacle approaches the right rear, as described above, except that it is symmetrical.

[0049] As a variation of this embodiment, the illuminated segments 21a to 21h may be formed in a bar shape, as shown in Figure 13. In this example, the illuminated segments 21a to 21d and the illuminated segments 21e to 21h may each be trapezoidal in shape, with their width (length in the height direction) decreasing as they approach the center line CL.

[0050] (effect) The third embodiment described above provides the following effects. The illuminated areas 21a to 21h, which are regions illuminated by light from multiple light sources 23a to 23h, are formed such that their size increases from the center line CL in the left-right direction toward both ends. This configuration allows for a sense of depth in the illuminated areas 21a to 21h, enabling the driver to perceive the location of obstacles and other objects at their sensory points. Furthermore, with this configuration, when the lighting pattern illuminates sequentially from the center line CL towards the left and right ends, the driver can easily perceive a direction of approach towards their vehicle from the front, and when the lighting pattern illuminates sequentially from the left and right ends towards the center line CL, the driver can easily perceive a direction of approach towards their vehicle from the rear. In other words, the lighting areas 21a to 21h arranged in the left-right direction can provide notification with directionality in the front-back direction as well as left-right.

[0051] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and drawings described above. Modifications (including the deletion of components) can be made as appropriate, provided they do not alter the essence of this disclosure. An example of such a modification is described below.

[0052] (modified version) In each of the above embodiments, the sub-display devices 20, 20A, and 20B were equipped with eight light sources 23a to 23h and eight illuminated segments 21a to 21h corresponding to the number of light sources 23a to 23h, but the number of light sources and illuminated segments can be changed as appropriate.

[0053] In each of the embodiments described above, the number of illuminated segments (light sources) was changed according to the turn position or the distance to the obstacle. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the number of illuminated segments may remain the same regardless of the turn position or the distance to the obstacle, while the illumination time interval when illuminating segments 21a to 21h in sequence may be changed. This illumination time interval is, for example, the time from the start of illumination of segment 21b to the start of illumination of segment 21a when illuminating in the order of segment 21b → segment 21a. The shorter this illumination time interval, the faster the speed at which the illuminated segments flow in the illumination pattern. For example, when the distance to the left turn position is long, the control unit 10 lights up the lighting segments 21a to 21d in sequence at a first lighting time interval, as shown in Figure 5. When the distance to the left turn position is medium, it lights up the lighting segments 21a to 21d in sequence at a second lighting time interval shorter than the first. When the distance to the left turn position is short, it lights up the lighting segments 21a to 21d in sequence at a third lighting time interval shorter than the second. Furthermore, both the lighting time interval and the number of lighting segments to be lit may be changed depending on the distance to the turn position or obstacle. The above modifications produce the following effects. The control unit 10 selects a lighting pattern with shorter lighting time intervals when sequentially lighting up the multiple light sources 23a to 23h, as the distance from the motorcycle 1 to the obstacle decreases. With this configuration, the driver can intuitively recognize that the distance to the obstacle has decreased.

[0054] In each of the above embodiments, when the turn position or obstacle is on the left side, the illuminated segments 21a to 21d located in the area to the left half of the center line CL could be illuminated. However, all illuminated segments 21a to 21h may be illuminated sequentially from segment 21h to segment 21a. Similarly, when the turn position or obstacle is on the right side, all illuminated segments 21a to 21h may be illuminated sequentially from segment 21a to segment 21h.

[0055] In the embodiments described above, the number of light sources to be illuminated was reduced by keeping the illuminated segments on the centerline CL side in an off state as the distance to the turn position or obstacle approached, but this is not limited to this. For example, the number of light sources to be illuminated may be reduced by keeping the illuminated segments on the left and right end sides in an off state.

[0056] In the first and second embodiments described above, when the turn position or obstacle is on the left side, the lighting pattern of the illuminated segments 21a to 21h flows to the left. However, the lighting pattern of the illuminated segments 21a to 21h may also be one in which they flow to the right, for example, in the order of illuminated segments 21a → 21b → 21c → 21d. Furthermore, the configuration does not have to involve lighting segments 21a to 21h in sequence. For example, when the distance to the turn position is long, all of the lighting segments 21a to 21d may be flashed simultaneously; when the distance to the turn position is medium, three of the lighting segments 21a to 21d may be flashed simultaneously; and when the distance to the turn position is short, two of the lighting segments 21a to 21d may be flashed simultaneously. In this way, the number of lighting segments that flash may be changed according to the distance to the turn position. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the lighting pattern was changed according to the turn position or the distance to the obstacle, but the lighting pattern may remain the same regardless of this distance.

[0057] In the first embodiment described above, the illuminated segments 21a to 21h were circular in shape, but they may also be bar-shaped.

[0058] In the second embodiment described above, the illumination color of icons 41 to 43 was, for example, orange or red, but it is not limited to these, and the illumination color may be different for each of the icons 41 to 43. As the distance to obstacles etc. decreases, the illumination color of icons 41 to 43 may change from blue or green to orange or red.

[0059] In the second embodiment described above, the icon display units 40L and 40R may include liquid crystal panels. Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the sub-display device 20 may have an icon display unit that can turn on or off icons indicating the turn direction. Similar to the second embodiment described above, one of these icon display units may be provided at each of the left and right ends of the sub-display device 20.

[0060] In the third embodiment described above, a sense of depth was added by the expression of perspective created by the change in the size of the openings 24a to 24h of the partition 24. This partition 24 may be replaced with a dial that has a transparent design portion in which the transparent area becomes smaller as it approaches the vanishing point VP.

[0061] Furthermore, in the third embodiment described above, this perspective representation is not limited to linear perspective, in which the area of ​​the illuminated segments 21a to 21h decreases as it approaches the vanishing point VP. For example, it may be a vanishing perspective representation in which the luminous intensity of the illuminated segments 21a to 21h decreases, i.e., becomes darker, as it approaches the vanishing point VP. This vanishing perspective representation may be implemented by controlling the luminous intensity of the light sources 23a to 23h to decrease as it approaches the vanishing point VP, or by configuring the diffuser plate 25 to decrease its transmittance as it approaches the vanishing point VP so that the luminous intensity of the light sources 23a to 23h reaching the driver decreases as it approaches the vanishing point VP. Alternatively, it may be an atmospheric perspective representation in which the outlines of the illuminated segments 21a to 21h become blurred and hazy as they approach the vanishing point VP. This atmospheric perspective representation may be implemented, for example, by controlling the luminous color of the light sources 23a to 23h with a color that is more saturated as it moves further away from the vanishing point VP and less saturated as it approaches the vanishing point VP. Alternatively, this can be achieved by placing a dial with a color filter or transparent design section between the light sources 23a to 23h and the diffuser plate 25, where the saturation increases as the distance from the vanishing point VP increases and decreases as the approach to the vanishing point VP decreases. Alternatively, the degree of diffusion of the diffuser plate 25 can be increased as the approach to the vanishing point VP increases, thereby achieving an expression that becomes blurry and hazy as the approach to the vanishing point VP increases.

[0062] In each of the above embodiments, the sub-display device 20 was equipped with two louvers 26a and 26b, but the number of louvers 26a and 26b is not limited to two, and may be one. In this case, it is preferable that the single louver is configured to be able to control the emission direction in both the height direction and the left-right direction.

[0063] In each of the above embodiments, the sub-display devices 20, 20A, and 20B may omit at least one of the components other than the multiple light sources 23a to 23h, such as the partition 24, diffuser plate 25, louvers 26a and 26b, case 22L, cover 22U, and light source substrate 23. For example, the multiple light sources 23a to 23h may be fixed directly to the upper end of the cowl 15 or via the light source substrate 23. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 1. Motorcycle 5L, 5R Support Frame 8 Wiring 10 Control Unit 15 Cowl 15a Support member 20, 20A, 20B Sub-display 23a~23h Light source 21a~21h Illuminated Segments 21a~21h,28 lighting area 22K,24a~24h opening 22L case 22U Cover 23 Light source substrate 24 partitions 25 Diffuser 26a, 26b Louvers 29 Main body 40L, 40R Icon display section 41-43 Icons 50 Main display device CL center line VP vanishing point IN Information

Claims

1. A display device for motorcycles, Multiple light sources are located at the upper end of the windshield of a motorcycle, arranged horizontally from the perspective of the motorcycle's driver, and illuminate in a pre-set lighting pattern to notify the driver of information. It comprises a pair of support frames arranged in the left-right direction, extending in the height direction, and supporting both ends of the main body of the motorcycle vehicle display device, At least one of the pair of support frames is formed in a cylindrical shape to accommodate the wiring extending from the motorcycle vehicle display device. Display device for motorcycles.

2. The system includes a light distribution limiting unit that limits the direction of light emission from the plurality of light sources, Display device for motorcycles according to claim 1.

3. A display device for a motorcycle, It is equipped with multiple light sources located at the upper end of the windshield of a motorcycle, arranged horizontally from the perspective of the motorcycle's driver, and which illuminate in a preset lighting pattern to notify the driver of information. The illuminated area, which is the region illuminated by light from the aforementioned multiple light sources, is formed such that its size increases from the center line in the left-right direction toward both ends. Display device for motorcycles.

4. A display device for a motorcycle, Multiple light sources are located at the upper end of the windshield of a motorcycle, arranged horizontally from the perspective of the motorcycle's driver, and illuminate in a pre-set lighting pattern to notify the driver of information. The display device for the motorcycle vehicle comprises an icon display unit located at both ends in the left-right direction, which displays an icon associated with the notification information being notified. Display device for motorcycles.

Images