Viewing device for vehicle

Abstract

In a door mirror device according to the present invention, a first light guide and a second light guide are arranged in the vertical direction. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the disposition dimensions of the first light guide and the second light guide in the vehicle front-rear direction. In addition, a first LED and a second LED are respectively disposed at inner sides of the first light guide and the second light guide in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the wiring distances to the first LED and the second LED from the inner sides in the vehicle width direction. Thus, the size of the door mirror device can be reduced.

Description

Vehicle Vision Device

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle visual recognition device in which a visual recognition mechanism assists the visual recognition of a vehicle occupant.

[0002] In the vehicle exterior mirror described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0147614, the mirror glass assists the visibility of vehicle occupants. Furthermore, one and two light windows extend in the vehicle width direction, with the leading edge of one light window extending outward from the mirror glass in the vehicle width direction and the leading edge of the other light window extending inward from the mirror glass in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the one and two light windows guide the light emitted from the one and two LEDs, respectively, and irradiate it from their leading edges.

[0003] In this vehicle exterior mirror, one LED is arranged on the inner side of one light window in the vehicle width direction, and the other LED is arranged on the outer side of the other light window in the vehicle width direction.

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a visual confirmation device for a vehicle that can be made compact.

[0005] A first aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle visualization device comprising: a visualization mechanism that assists the visualization of a vehicle occupant; a first guide member that extends in the vehicle width direction and has a tip that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the visualization mechanism; a second guide member that extends in the vehicle width direction and has a tip that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the visualization mechanism and is aligned in the vertical direction with the first guide member; a first emission portion that is arranged inward in the vehicle width direction from the first guide member and that guides the emitted light by the first guide member to irradiate it from the tip side; and a second emission portion that is arranged inward in the vehicle width direction from the second guide member and that guides the emitted light by the second guide member to irradiate it from the tip side.

[0006] A second aspect of the present invention is a vehicle visualizing device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the first guide member extends along the light emission direction of the first emission portion, and the second guide member extends along the light emission direction of the second emission portion.

[0007] A third aspect of the present invention is a vehicle visualization device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, which includes a plurality of reflective portions provided at intervals on one of the first guide member and the second guide member, which reflect light guided by one of the first guide member and the second guide member, and which are not opposed to the other of the first guide member and the second guide member.

[0008] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a vehicle visualization device that is any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, and is provided with a housing that houses the first guide member and the second guide member and is provided with a light-shielding portion that blocks light between the first guide member and the second guide member.

[0009] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a vehicle visualizing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, wherein one of the first guide member and the second guide member emits light toward an occupant.

[0010] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a vehicle visualizing device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein one of the first guide member and the second guide member is arranged below the other of the first guide member and the second guide member.

[0011] A seventh aspect of the present invention is a vehicle visualizing device in which, in any one of the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, the vertical positions of the radiation position of light from the tip side of the first guide member and the radiation position of light from the tip side of the second guide member overlap.

[0012] The eighth aspect of the vehicle visualizing device of the present invention is a vehicle visualizing device of any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, in which the curvature in the extension direction of the first guide member and the curvature in the extension direction of the second guide member are different.

[0013] A ninth aspect of the present invention is a vehicle visualization device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, comprising a covering portion that is arranged at a position in the vertical direction of the first guide member and the second guide member and covers the periphery of the visualization mechanism, and a displacement mechanism that is arranged at a position in the vertical direction of the first guide member and the second guide member and displaces the visualization mechanism.

[0014] In a first aspect of the present invention, the vehicle visualization device includes a visualization mechanism that assists a vehicle occupant in visualization, and the first and second guide members extend in a vehicle width direction with their distal ends extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the visualization mechanism, and the first and second guide members guide the light emitted by the first and second emitters and irradiate it from the distal ends.

[0015] Here, the first guide member and the second guide member are aligned in the up-down direction, which allows the arrangement dimensions of the first guide member and the second guide member in the vehicle front-rear direction to be reduced.

[0016] Furthermore, the first and second light emitting portions are disposed on the inner side of the first and second guide members in the vehicle width direction, respectively, thereby shortening the wiring distance from the inner side of the vehicle width direction to the first and second light emitting portions.

[0017] As a result, the vehicle visual confirmation device can be made smaller.

[0018] In the vehicle visualization device of the second aspect of the present invention, the first guide member and the second guide member extend along the light emission directions of the first and second emitters, respectively, so that the first guide member and the second guide member can effectively guide the light emitted by the first and second emitters, respectively.

[0019] In the vehicle visual confirmation device of the third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of reflective portions are provided at intervals on one of the first guide member and the second guide member, and the reflective portions reflect light guided by one of the first guide member and the second guide member.

[0020] Here, the reflecting portion does not face the other of the first and second guide members, which prevents light leaking between the reflecting portions of one of the first and second guide members from entering the other of the first and second guide members.

[0021] In the vehicle visual confirmation device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the first guide member and the second guide member are housed in a housing, and the light-shielding portion of the housing blocks light between the first guide member and the second guide member, thereby preventing light from entering between the first guide member and the second guide member.

[0022] In the vehicle visual confirmation device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, one of the first guide member and the second guide member emits light toward the occupant, so that the occupant can see the light.

[0023] In the vehicle visual confirmation device of the sixth aspect of the present invention, one of the first guide member and the second guide member is disposed below the other of the first guide member and the second guide member, thereby improving the visibility of the light emitted by one of the first guide member and the second guide member.

[0024] In the vehicle visualization device of the seventh aspect of the present invention, the position of light emitted from the tip end of the first guide member and the position of light emitted from the tip end of the second guide member overlap in the vertical direction, making it easy to position the position of light emitted from the tip end of the first guide member and the position of light emitted from the tip end of the second guide member.

[0025] In the vehicle visual confirmation device of the eighth aspect of the present invention, the curvature of the first guide member in the extension direction is different from the curvature of the second guide member in the extension direction, which increases the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the first guide member and the second guide member.

[0026] In the vehicle visualizing device of the ninth aspect of the present invention, the covering portion covers the periphery of the visualizing mechanism, and the displacement mechanism displaces the visualizing mechanism.

[0027] The covering portion and the displacement mechanism are disposed at positions in the up-down direction of the first guide member and the second guide member. Therefore, even if the covering portion and the displacement mechanism are present, the arrangement dimensions of the first guide member and the second guide member in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle can be reduced as described above, thereby preventing the vehicle visualization device from becoming larger in size in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

[0028] 1B ] is a rear view showing a door mirror device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the rear of the vehicle. FIG. 1C is a front view showing a door mirror device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front of the vehicle. FIG. 1D is a side view showing a main part of the door mirror device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the outside in the vehicle width direction. FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional view showing a door mirror device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from above (cross-sectional view along line 3A-3A in FIG. 1B). FIG. 1F is a cross-sectional view showing a door mirror device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from above (cross-sectional view along line 3B-3B in FIG. 1B). FIG. 1G is a front view showing a lamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front of the vehicle. FIG. 1H is a rear view showing a lamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the rear of the vehicle. FIG. 1H is a front view showing a main part of the lamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front of the vehicle. FIG. 1I is a top view showing a main part of the lamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from above. FIG. 1I is a front view showing base ends, etc. of a first light guide and a second light guide of a lamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front of the vehicle. FIG. 1I is a front view showing intermediate parts, etc. of the first light guide and the second light guide of a lamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front of the vehicle. FIG. 1 is a perspective view seen from the front side of the vehicle and the outer side in the vehicle width direction, showing in detail the base ends, etc. of a first light guide and a second light guide of a lamp device in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view seen from the front side of the vehicle, showing the tip ends, etc. of the first light guide and the second light guide of a lamp device in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view seen from the front side of the vehicle, showing the tip ends, etc. of the first light guide and the second light guide of a lamp device in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a front view seen from the front side of the vehicle, showing the first light guide, the second light guide, etc. of a lamp device in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a rear view seen from the rear of the vehicle, showing the first light guide, the second light guide, etc. of a lamp device in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Fig. 1A shows a rear view of a door mirror device 10 as a vehicle visual confirmation device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the rear of the vehicle, and Fig. 1B shows a front view of the door mirror device 10 as seen from the front of the vehicle. Furthermore, Fig. 3A shows a cross-sectional view of the door mirror device 10 as seen from above (cross-sectional view taken along line 3A-3A in Fig. 1B), and Fig. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of the door mirror device 10 as seen from above (cross-sectional view taken along line 3B-3B in Fig. 1B). In the drawings, the front of the vehicle is indicated by an arrow FR, the outward direction in the vehicle width direction (to the right of the vehicle) is indicated by an arrow OUT, and the upward direction is indicated by an arrow UP.

[0030] The door mirror device 10 in this embodiment is installed at the front end of the vehicle in the vertical middle of a side door (front side door, not shown) on the body side of a vehicle (automobile), and is positioned on the outside of the side door.

[0031] 1A, 1B, 3A, and 3B, the door mirror device 10 is provided with a visor 12 having a substantially rectangular box shape as a covering body, the visor 12 having an inner portion in the vehicle width direction supported by the side door and protruding toward the rear of the vehicle as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction. The front wall and the outer wall in the vehicle width direction of the visor 12 are continuously curved, the front wall of the visor 12 inclining toward the rear of the vehicle as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and the outer wall in the vehicle width direction of the visor 12 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the vehicle width direction. The rear wall of the visor 12 is formed into a concave covering plate 12A (see FIG. 2) as a covering portion, the interior of the covering plate 12A having a substantially rectangular shape and open to the rear of the vehicle.

[0032] A long, substantially rectangular exposure hole 14 is formed through the visor 12 from the vehicle front wall to the vehicle widthwise outer wall, and the exposure hole 14 extends from the vehicle widthwise middle portion of the visor 12 to the vehicle widthwise outer end portion. The exposure hole 14 opens the interior of the visor 12 to the vehicle front side and the vehicle widthwise outer side, and the vehicle widthwise outer end portion of the exposure hole 14 opens to the vehicle rear side. A rectangular open hole 16 is formed through the vehicle widthwise outer wall of the cover plate 12A of the visor 12, and the open hole 16 opens inside the visor 12 in a direction toward the vehicle width inward as it extends toward the vehicle rear (toward an occupant (particularly the driver)).

[0033] An adjustment device 18 (see Figure 2) serving as a displacement mechanism is fixed inside the visor 12, and the adjustment device 18 penetrates the vehicle front wall (bottom wall) of the cover plate 12A of the visor 12 and is inserted into the cover plate 12A.

[0034] A substantially rectangular plate-shaped mirror 20 serving as a viewing mechanism is supported on the vehicle rear side of the adjustment device 18. The mirror 20 is disposed within the cover plate 12A, and the entire outer periphery and the vehicle front side are covered by the cover plate 12A. The front side of the mirror 20 faces the vehicle rear and is exposed on the vehicle rear side of the visor 12. The vehicle occupant can view the reflected light of the mirror 20, thereby assisting the occupant in viewing the rear of the vehicle. Furthermore, by operating the adjustment device 18, the mirror 20 is tilted (displaced) in the vertical direction and the vehicle width direction, thereby adjusting the direction in which the occupant views the mirror 20.

[0035] A lamp device 22 (see FIGS. 2, 4A, and 4B) is provided within the visor 12, and the lamp device 22 is disposed at a position above and below the cover plate 12A of the visor 12 and the adjustment device 18.

[0036] The lamp device 22 is provided with a long, approximately rectangular box-shaped housing 24 (see Figures 5A and 5B) that serves as a container, and the housing 24 is fixed within the visor 12, and the lamp device 22 is fixed within the visor 12.

[0037] An assembly box 24A having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is provided at the inner end of the housing 24 in the vehicle width direction, and the interior of the assembly box 24A is open to the front of the vehicle. An elongated, substantially rectangular parallelepiped arrangement box 24B is integrally provided on the outer side of the assembly box 24A in the vehicle width direction, and the interior of the arrangement box 24B is connected to the interior of the assembly box 24A. The arrangement box 24B curves toward the rear of the vehicle as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and the interior of the arrangement box 24B is open to the front of the vehicle and outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] A rectangular light-shielding plate 26 serving as a light-shielding portion is integrally provided on the bottom surface (rear side of the vehicle) of the arrangement box 24B, outside the assembly box 24A in the vehicle width direction. The light-shielding plate 26 protrudes toward the front of the vehicle and is vertically disposed in the up-down direction. A pair of approximately rectangular regulating claws 28 are integrally provided on the bottom surface of the arrangement box 24B, outside the light-shielding plate 26 in the vehicle width direction. The regulating claws 28 protrude toward the front of the vehicle and are vertically disposed in the up-down direction. The pair of regulating claws 28 are opposed to each other in the up-down direction and have approximately triangular prism-shaped claw portions 28A integrally provided at their tips. The claw portions 28A of the upper and lower regulating claws 28 protrude downward and upward, respectively. The lower regulating claw 28 is aligned with the light-shielding plate 26 in the vehicle width direction and functions as both a light-shielding portion and a regulating portion (second regulating portion). A long rectangular plate-shaped shading rib 30 is integrally formed on the bottom surface of the placement box 24B, outside the vehicle width direction of the lower regulating claw 28, as a shading section.The shading rib 30 protrudes toward the front of the vehicle and is arranged vertically in the up-down direction, extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0039] A predetermined number of plate-shaped upper convex portions 32 (see FIG. 6B ) serving as restricting portions (second restricting portions) are integrally provided on the upper surfaces of the light-shielding plate 26 and the light-shielding rib 30, and the upper convex portions 32 protrude upward with their upper surfaces arranged perpendicular to the vertical direction. A predetermined number of plate-shaped lower convex portions 34 serving as restricting portions (first restricting portions) are integrally provided on the lower surface of the light-shielding rib 30, and the lower convex portions 34 protrude downward with their lower surfaces arranged perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0040] A first lens 38 in the shape of a long, substantially rectangular parallelepiped box is provided as a first transmitting member on the vehicle front side of the housing 24, and the first lens 38 is transparent so as to be able to transmit light.

[0041] A covering box 38A having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is provided at the inner end of the first lens 38 in the vehicle width direction, and the interior of the covering box 38A is open to the rear of the vehicle. The covering box 38A is fitted to and fixed to the assembly box 24A of the housing 24, and the covering box 38A covers the front side of the assembly box 24A. A long, substantially rectangular parallelepiped transmission box 38B is integrally provided on the outer side of the covering box 38A in the vehicle width direction, and the interior of the transmission box 38B is connected to the interior of the covering box 38A. The transmission box 38B is curved toward the rear of the vehicle as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and the interior of the transmission box 38B is open to the rear of the vehicle and to the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The transmission box 38B is fitted to and fixed to the placement box 24B of the housing 24, and the transmission box 38B covers the front side of the placement box 24B and the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

[0042] An exposed portion 38C having a U-shaped cross section is formed in the vertical middle portion of the first lens 38. The exposed portion 38C protrudes toward the front side of the first lens 38 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the first lens 38. The exposed portion 38C is fitted into the exposure hole 14 of the visor 12, and the exposed portion 38C is exposed to the outside of the visor 12. The vehicle width direction outer end wall of the exposed portion 38C is disposed outside in the vehicle width direction from the vehicle width direction outer end of the placement box 24B, and the vehicle width direction outer end wall of the exposed portion 38C is exposed in a direction toward the vehicle width direction outer as it moves from the vehicle width direction outer end of the exposure hole 14 toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0043] A second lens 40 (see FIGS. 4B and 5B ) having a substantially rectangular box shape as a second transparent member penetrates and fits into the vehicle width direction outer end wall of the housing 24 (the placement box 24B). The second lens 40 is transparent to allow light to pass through, and its interior is open to the vehicle front side. The second lens 40 protrudes from the housing 24 toward the vehicle rear, and its rear side (bottom) faces inward in the vehicle width direction (toward the occupant) as it extends toward the rear of the vehicle. The second lens 40 is fitted into the open hole 16 in the cover plate 12A of the visor 12, and the rear side of the second lens 40 is flush with the inner peripheral surface of the cover plate 12A. The rear side of the second lens 40 vertically overlaps the vehicle width direction outer end wall of the exposed portion 38C of the first lens 38.

[0044] A substantially rectangular plate-shaped circuit board 42 is housed within the assembly box 24A of the housing 24, and the circuit board 42 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the vehicle width direction. A substantially rectangular plate-shaped first LED 44 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B ) serving as a first light-emitting portion is fixed to a lower portion of the outer surface of the circuit board 42 in the vehicle width direction. The first LED 44 emits light and emits light from the outer surface in the vehicle width direction. A substantially rectangular plate-shaped second LED 46 (see FIG. 7A ) serving as a second light-emitting portion is fixed to an upper portion of the outer surface of the circuit board 42 in the vehicle width direction. The second LED 46 emits light and emits light from the outer surface in the vehicle width direction.

[0045] Within the housing 24, below the light-shielding plate 26, the lower restricting claws 28, and the light-shielding rib 30, there is accommodated a rod-shaped first light guide 48 (see FIGS. 5A, 5B, 9A, and 9B) serving as a first guide member. The first light guide 48 is transparent and is capable of transmitting and guiding light. The first light guide 48 curves toward the rear of the vehicle as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and the first light guide 48 faces the exposed portion 38C of the first lens 38. Movement of the first light guide 48 within the housing 24 in the vehicle width direction, up-down direction, and fore-and-aft direction is restricted, and the lower convex portion 34 of the light-shielding rib 30 restricts upward movement of the first light guide 48 (see FIG. 6B).

[0046] The inner end surface (base end surface) of the first light guide 48 in the vehicle width direction faces the outer surface (light emission surface) of the first LED 44 of the circuit board 42 in the vehicle width direction, and the inner end portion (base end) of the first light guide 48 in the vehicle width direction extends along the light emission direction of the first LED 44 (a direction perpendicular to the circuit board 42) (see FIG. 7A ). The outer end portion (tip end) of the first light guide 48 in the vehicle width direction is disposed outside the mirror 20 in the vehicle width direction, and the outer end surface (tip end surface) of the first light guide 48 in the vehicle width direction is disposed near the outer end wall of the exposed portion 38C of the first lens 38 in the vehicle width direction.

[0047] Locking pieces 48A, each having a plate-like shape with a generally L-shaped cross section, are integrally provided on the upper and lower sides of the inner end of the first light guide 48 in the vehicle width direction, and serve as locking portions. The base ends of the locking pieces 48A protrude toward the front of the vehicle. The tip ends of the locking pieces 48A protrude toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, and the circuit board 42 is locked to the tip ends of the upper and lower locking pieces 48A from the rear of the vehicle. A mating recess 48B, each having a rectangular cross section, is formed in the base end of the upper locking piece 48A as a mating portion. The mating recess 48B penetrates the upper locking piece 48A in the vehicle width direction and is open toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0048] The rear surface (rear surface of the vehicle) of the first light guide 48 is arranged parallel to the vertical direction. A plurality of convex reflecting surfaces 48C with a V-shaped cross section are integrally formed on the rear surface of the first light guide 48 as reflecting portions. The plurality of reflecting surfaces 48C extend in the vertical direction and are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the extending direction of the first light guide 48.

[0049] A rod-shaped second light guide 50 (see FIGS. 5A, 9A, and 9B) serving as a second guide member is housed within the housing 24 above the light-shielding plate 26, the lower restricting claws 28, and the light-shielding rib 30. The second light guide 50 is transparent and is capable of transmitting and guiding light. The second light guide 50 curves toward the rear of the vehicle as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and is disposed above the exposed portion 38C of the first lens 38. Movement of the second light guide 50 within the housing 24 in the vehicle width direction, up-down direction, and fore-and-aft direction is restricted, and the light-shielding plate 26 and the upper convex portion 32 of the light-shielding rib 30 restrict downward movement of the second light guide 50 (see FIG. 6B). The second light guide 50 is fitted between the pair of restricting claws 28 due to elastic deformation of the pair of restricting claws 28, and the pair of restricting claws 28 restrict vertical movement of the second light guide 50, and the claw portions 28A of the pair of restricting claws 28 restrict movement of the second light guide 50 toward the front of the vehicle. The second light guide 50 passes through and is fitted into the fitting recess 48B of the upper locking piece 48A of the first light guide 48, and the upper locking piece 48A restricts movement of the second light guide 50 in the vertical direction and toward the front of the vehicle (see FIG. 6A ).

[0050] The inner end surface (base end surface) of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction faces the outer surface (light emission surface) of the second LED 46 of the circuit board 42 in the vehicle width direction, and the inner end (base end) of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction extends along the light emission direction of the second LED 46 (a direction perpendicular to the circuit board 42) (see FIGS. 7A and 7B ). The vicinity of the outer end (tip end) of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction has a larger curvature toward the inside in the vehicle width direction than the vicinity of the outer end of the first light guide 48 in the vehicle width direction, and the outer end of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction is inserted into the second lens 40 from the front of the vehicle (see FIGS. 8A and 8B ) and is disposed outside the mirror 20 in the vehicle width direction.

[0051] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0052] In the door mirror device 10 configured as described above, in the lamp device 22, the first LED 44 of the circuit board 42 emits light toward the vehicle width directional inner end surface of the first light guide 48, which then guides the light incident on the vehicle width directional inner end surface and radiates it from the vehicle width directional outer end surface. Furthermore, the light radiated from the vehicle width directional outer end surface of the first light guide 48 is transmitted through the vehicle width directional outer end wall of the exposed portion 38C of the first lens 38 and radiated outward in the vehicle width direction as it moves toward the rear of the vehicle via the vehicle width directional outer end surface of the exposure hole 14 of the visor 12. The color of the light radiated from the first lens 38 is amber, and the first LED 44, the first light guide 48, and the first lens 38 function as a turn signal for notifying the outside of the vehicle of the vehicle's traveling direction.

[0053] Furthermore, the second LED 46 of the circuit board 42 emits light toward the inner end surface of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction, so that the second light guide 50 guides the light incident on the inner end surface in the vehicle width direction and irradiates it from the outer end surface in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the light irradiated from the outer end surface in the vehicle width direction of the second light guide 50 is transmitted through the rear wall of the second lens 40 and emitted in a direction toward the vehicle rear and inward in the vehicle width direction (toward the occupant) through the open hole 16 of the visor 12. The color of the light emitted from the second lens 40 is amber (different in brightness and intensity from the light emitted from the first lens 38). The second LED 46, the second light guide 50, and the second lens 40 function as a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) of the vehicle, alerting the occupant of an approaching vehicle behind and to the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0054] Here, the extending portion of the first light guide 48 in the vehicle width direction and the extending portion of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction are aligned in the up-down direction, which allows the arrangement dimensions in the vehicle front-rear direction of the extending portion of the first light guide 48 in the vehicle width direction and the extending portion of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction to be reduced.

[0055] Furthermore, the first LED 44 and the second LED 46 of the circuit board 42 are disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the first light guide 48 and the second light guide 50, respectively. This allows the wiring distance from the inner side in the vehicle width direction (vehicle body side) to the first LED 44 and the second LED 46 to be shortened, and the wiring arrangement space in the vehicle width direction can be reduced.

[0056] As a result, the door mirror device 10 can be made smaller in size in the longitudinal direction and width direction of the vehicle.

[0057] Furthermore, the vicinity of the outer end of the first light guide 48 in the vehicle width direction and the vicinity of the outer end of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction are aligned in the vertical direction. Therefore, the arrangement dimensions in the vehicle width direction of the vicinity of the outer end of the first light guide 48 in the vehicle width direction and the vicinity of the outer end of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction can be reduced, and the door mirror device 10 can be made even smaller in the vehicle width direction.

[0058] Furthermore, the cover plate 12A and the adjustment device 18 of the visor 12 are disposed at positions in the vertical direction of the lamp device 22 (including the first light guide 48 and the second light guide 50). Therefore, even if the cover plate 12A and the adjustment device 18 are present on the vehicle rear side of the first light guide 48 and the second light guide 50, the arrangement dimensions of the first light guide 48 and the second light guide 50 in the vehicle longitudinal direction can be reduced as described above, thereby preventing the door mirror device 10 from becoming larger in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0059] Furthermore, the inner end portion in the vehicle width direction of the first light guide 48 and the inner end portion in the vehicle width direction of the second light guide 50 extend along the light emission directions of the first LED 44 and the second LED 46. Therefore, the first light guide 48 and the second light guide 50 can properly guide the light emitted by the first LED 44 and the second LED 46, respectively.

[0060] Furthermore, the light blocking plate 26, the light blocking rib 30, and the lower restricting claw 28 of the housing 24 block light between the first light guide 48 and the second light guide 50. This makes it possible to prevent light from being incident between the first light guide 48 and the second light guide 50, and to prevent the light guided by the first light guide 48 and the light guided by the second light guide 50 from mixing.

[0061] Moreover, the first light guide 48 is disposed below the second light guide 50. Therefore, although the lower portion of the mirror 20, where the road surface is reflected, is darker than the upper portion of the mirror 20, where the sky is reflected, the first lens 38 can be brought closer to the lower portion of the mirror 20, and the difference in brightness between the lower portion of the mirror 20 and the light emitted by the first light guide 48 and the first lens 38 can be increased, thereby improving the visibility of the light.

[0062] Furthermore, the first light guide 48 is provided with a plurality of reflective surfaces 48C spaced apart from one another, and the reflective surfaces 48C reflect the light guided by the first light guide 48. This makes it possible to prevent the light guided by the first light guide 48 from leaking from the first light guide 48.

[0063] Furthermore, the reflective surface 48C is provided on the back surface of the first light guide 48 and does not face the second light guide 50. This prevents light leaking between the reflective surfaces 48C of the first light guide 48 from entering the second light guide 50 and mixing with the light guided by the second light guide 50.

[0064] Furthermore, the curvature toward the inside in the vehicle width direction is greater near the outer end of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction than near the outer end of the first light guide 48. Therefore, the outer end of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction can be arranged more inward in the vehicle width direction than the outer end of the first light guide 48, eliminating the need to align the outer end of the first light guide 48 and the outer end of the second light guide 50 in the vertical direction.

[0065] Furthermore, the position at which light is emitted from the outer end of the first light guide 48 in the vehicle width direction (the outer end wall of the exposed portion 38C of the first lens 38 in the vehicle width direction) and the position at which light is emitted from the outer end of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction (the rear wall of the second lens 40) are overlapped in the vertical direction. This makes it possible to reduce the vertical arrangement dimensions of the exposed portion 38C of the first lens 38 and the second lens 40, making it easy to arrange the exposed portion 38C of the first lens 38 and the second lens 40.

[0066] Furthermore, the first LED 44 and the second LED 46 are provided on the outer surface (the same surface) in the vehicle width direction of the circuit board 42. Therefore, unlike when the first LED 44 and the second LED 46 are provided on the outer surface and inner surface in the vehicle width direction of the circuit board 42, respectively, the configuration of the circuit board 42 can be simplified, and costs can be reduced.

[0067] In this embodiment, the light emitted from the first lens 38 and the light emitted from the second lens 40 are the same color (amber). However, the light emitted from the first lens 38 and the light emitted from the second lens 40 may be different colors.

[0068] In the present embodiment, the second LED 46, the second light guide 50, and the second lens 40 function as a BSM. However, the second LED 46, the second light guide 50, and the second lens 40 may have a function other than the BSM to notify the occupants of the vehicle.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first light guide 48 is disposed below the second light guide 50. However, the second light guide 50 may also be disposed below the first light guide 48. In this case, the lower portion of the mirror 20, where the road surface is reflected, will be darker than the upper portion of the mirror 20, where the sky is reflected. However, the second lens 40 can be brought closer to the lower portion of the mirror 20, and the difference in brightness between the lower portion of the mirror 20 and the light emitted by the second lens 40 after being irradiated by the second light guide 50 can be increased, thereby improving the visibility of the light.

[0070] In this embodiment, the first light guide 48 is provided with the reflective surface 48C. However, the second light guide 50 may be provided with the reflective surface 48C.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the outer end (tip) of the first light guide 48 in the vehicle width direction and the outer end (tip) of the second light guide 50 in the vehicle width direction may overlap in the vertical direction.

[0072] In this embodiment, the viewing mechanism is the mirror 20. However, the viewing mechanism may be a camera, and the occupant's visibility may be assisted by an image captured by the camera.

[0073] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-188917, filed on November 2, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0074] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10...Door mirror device (vehicle visual confirmation device), 12A...Covering plate (covering portion), 18...Adjusting device (displacement mechanism), 20...Mirror (visual confirmation mechanism), 24...Housing (accommodating body), 26...Light blocking plate (light blocking portion), 28...Regulating claw (light blocking portion), 30...Light blocking rib (light blocking portion), 44...First LED (first emission portion), 46...Second LED (second emission portion), 48...First light guide (first guide member), 48C...Reflecting surface (reflecting portion), 50...Second light guide (second guide member)

Claims

1. A vehicle visualization device comprising: a visualization mechanism for assisting a vehicle occupant in visualization; a first guide member extending in the vehicle width direction with a tip side extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the visualization mechanism; a second guide member extending in the vehicle width direction with a tip side extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the visualization mechanism and aligned in the vertical direction with the first guide member; a first emission section arranged on the vehicle width inside of the first guide member, the first guide member guiding the emitted light and irradiating it from the tip side; and a second emission section arranged on the vehicle width inside of the second guide member, the second guide member guiding the emitted light and irradiating it from the tip side.

2. A vehicle visual confirmation device as described in claim 1, wherein the first guide member extends along the light emission direction of the first emission portion, and the second guide member extends along the light emission direction of the second emission portion.

3. A vehicle visual confirmation device as described in claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a plurality of reflective portions provided at intervals on one of the first guide member and the second guide member, which reflect light guided by one of the first guide member and the second guide member and which are not opposed to the other of the first guide member and the second guide member.

4. A vehicle visual confirmation device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a housing in which the first guide member and the second guide member are housed and in which a light-shielding portion is provided to block light between the first guide member and the second guide member.

5. A visual confirmation device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one of the first guide member and the second guide member irradiates light toward an occupant.

6. A visual confirmation device for a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein one of the first guide member and the second guide member is disposed below the other of the first guide member and the second guide member.

7. A vehicle visual confirmation device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the position at which light is emitted from the tip side of the first guide member and the position at which light is emitted from the tip side of the second guide member overlap in the vertical direction.

8. A visual confirmation device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the curvature of the first guide member in the extending direction is different from the curvature of the second guide member in the extending direction.

9. A vehicle visualization device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising: a covering portion arranged at a vertical position of the first guide member and the second guide member, covering the periphery of the visualization mechanism; and a displacement mechanism arranged at a vertical position of the first guide member and the second guide member, displacing the visualization mechanism.

10. A visual confirmation device for a vehicle as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a circuit board on which the first emission portion and the second emission portion are provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

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