Vehicle interior lighting system, lighting device, and mobile body

Abstract

A vehicle interior lighting system (1) comprises: a seat (60) provided inside a vehicle interior (2a) of a vehicle such as an automobile (2); and a lighting device (3) installed on a seat back (200) of the seat (60). The lighting device (3) emits illumination light for illuminating a back surface (210) of the seat back (200).

Description

Vehicle interior lighting system, lighting device, and moving body

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle interior lighting system, a lighting device, and a moving body.

[0002] As vehicle interior lighting, lighting devices installed in the vehicle interior of vehicles such as automobiles are known (Patent Document 1). Conventionally, ceiling lighting installed on the ceiling of a vehicle has been the mainstream as vehicle interior lighting.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-35768

[0004] However, in the case of ceiling lighting, there is a risk that the lighting light irradiates the face of the occupant, and the occupant may feel glare. In addition, it is difficult to create the space inside the vehicle with ceiling lighting, and it is impossible to give the occupant a sense of production, quality, or liberation.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and a first object thereof is to provide a vehicle interior lighting system or the like that can create the space inside the vehicle without the occupant feeling glare.

[0006] In recent years, there has been a demand for creating a high-quality space inside an automobile. For example, it is required to create a space inside the vehicle by giving the occupant a sense of luxury or elevation by means of a lighting device installed on the ceiling of the automobile.

[0007] Therefore, conventionally, it has been proposed to create the space inside the vehicle by irradiating the lighting light without forming a shadow in a wide range of the ceiling by means of a lighting device that is a long linear light source extending in the front-rear direction inside the vehicle.

[0008] However, conventionally, a lighting device that is a long linear light source extending in the front-rear direction inside the vehicle has been installed on the ceiling of the vehicle. For this reason, the lighting device becomes large. When the lighting device becomes large, not only does the cost increase, but the presence of the lighting device inside the vehicle becomes large and the production effect inside the vehicle decreases.

[0009] The present invention was made to solve these problems as well, and its second objective is to provide an in-vehicle lighting system that can illuminate a wide area of ​​the ceiling inside a vehicle even with a small lighting device.

[0010] To achieve the first objective described above, one embodiment of the first vehicle interior lighting system according to the present invention comprises a seat provided in the interior of a vehicle and a lighting device installed on the back of the seat, wherein the lighting device emits illumination light that illuminates the back of the seat back.

[0011] Furthermore, in order to achieve the second objective described above, one embodiment of the second vehicle interior lighting system according to the present invention comprises a mobile body and a lighting device installed inside the vehicle interior of the mobile body, wherein the lighting device is installed at a position lower than the ceiling surface of the mobile body and irradiates illumination light to an area including at least the edge of the ceiling surface.

[0012] Furthermore, in order to achieve the second objective described above, one embodiment of the lighting device according to the present invention is a lighting device installed inside the vehicle of a mobile vehicle, wherein the lighting device is installed at a position lower than the ceiling surface of the mobile vehicle and irradiates illumination light to an area including at least the edge of the ceiling surface.

[0013] Furthermore, in order to achieve the second objective described above, one embodiment of the mobile body according to the present invention is a mobile body comprising a lighting device installed inside the vehicle of the mobile body, wherein the lighting device is installed at a position lower than the ceiling surface of the mobile body and irradiates illumination light to an area including at least the edge of the ceiling surface.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the first vehicle interior lighting system of the present invention, the interior space of the vehicle can be illuminated without the occupants experiencing glare.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the second vehicle interior lighting system, one embodiment of the lighting device, and one embodiment of the mobile body of the present invention, even a small lighting device can illuminate a wide area of ​​the ceiling inside the vehicle, thereby effectively creating a pleasant atmosphere inside the vehicle.

[0016] Figure 1 is a top view of an automobile in the vehicle interior lighting system according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of an automobile in the vehicle interior lighting system according to Embodiment 1. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the illumination area irradiated by the illumination light of the lighting device in the vehicle interior lighting system according to Embodiment 1. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the illumination area irradiated by the illumination light of the lighting device in the vehicle interior lighting system according to Embodiment 1. Figure 5 is a top view of an automobile in the vehicle interior lighting system according to Embodiment 2. Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view of an automobile in the vehicle interior lighting system according to Embodiment 2. Figure 7 is a diagram showing how the illumination light of the lighting device is irradiated in the vehicle interior of an automobile according to Embodiment 2. Figure 8 is an enlarged view showing the peripheral portion of the door trim of an automobile according to Embodiment 2. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of the lighting device according to Embodiment 2. Figure 10 is an enlarged view of the area around the top surface of the door trim of an automobile according to Embodiment 2. Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating a lighting device according to Modification 1. Figure 12 is a top view of an automobile in the vehicle interior lighting system according to Modification 2. Figure 13 shows how the illumination light from the lighting device is irradiated into the interior of a car according to Modification 2. Figure 14 is a top view of a car with an interior lighting system according to Modification 3. Figure 15 shows how the illumination light from the lighting device is irradiated into the interior of a car according to Modification 3.

[0017] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all specific examples of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions of components, and connection configurations shown in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Accordingly, among the components in the following embodiments, those not described in the independent claims representing the highest-level concept of the present invention will be described as optional components.

[0018] Each figure is a schematic diagram and not necessarily a strictly accurate representation. Therefore, the scale and other aspects may not necessarily be consistent across all figures. In each figure, substantially identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted or simplified.

[0019] In this specification, "forward" refers to the direction of travel when the vehicle is moving forward, and "rearward" refers to the direction of travel when the vehicle is moving backward. The right side when the vehicle is moving forward is referred to as "right direction," the left side when the vehicle is moving forward is referred to as "left direction," the ceiling side of the vehicle is referred to as "up" or "upper side," and the floor side of the vehicle is referred to as "down" or "lower side." In this specification, the terms "up" and "down" do not refer to the absolute upward direction (vertically upward) and downward direction (vertically downward) in terms of spatial perception, but may be used as terms defined by relative positional relationships.

[0020] (Embodiment 1) First, the configuration of the vehicle interior lighting system 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described using Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a top view of the vehicle 2 in the vehicle interior lighting system 1 according to Embodiment 1, and Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the vehicle 2.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle interior lighting system 1 comprises a vehicle 2 and at least one lighting device 3 installed in the vehicle 2.

[0022] Automobile 2 is an example of a mobile body and includes a vehicle having a passenger compartment 2a. The passenger compartment 2a in automobile 2 is composed of multiple interior lining members. As shown in Figure 2, the passenger compartment 2a has a ceiling 10, a floor 20, a pillar trim 30, and a door trim 40 as multiple interior lining members.

[0023] Automobile 2 has doors 50. The doors 50 include a front door 51 and a rear door 52. The front door 51 and the rear door 52 are located on the sides of automobile 2. By opening and closing the front door 51 or the rear door 52, occupants can enter the passenger compartment 2a or exit the passenger compartment 2a. Each of the front door 51 and the rear door 52 is provided with a window pane.

[0024] Each of the front door 51 and the rear door 52 is provided with a window 50a. Therefore, the windows 50a are located on the sides of the automobile 2. Thus, the automobile 2 has windows 50a on its sides. The windows 50a are made of transparent glass.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the passenger compartment 2a is provided with seats 60 in which occupants sit. Multiple seats 60 are provided in the passenger compartment 2a. Specifically, the passenger compartment 2a is provided with multiple seats 60, including front seats 61 and rear seats 62.

[0026] The front seats 61 are the front seats located at the front of the passenger compartment 2a. Specifically, the passenger compartment 2a is equipped with front seats 61, which include a driver's seat 61a where the driver sits, and a passenger seat 61b located next to the driver's seat 61a. In this embodiment, since the steering wheel is located on the right side, the driver's seat 61a is located on the right side, and the passenger seat 61b is located on the left side.

[0027] The rear seat 62 is a rear seat located at the rear of the passenger compartment 2a. Specifically, the rear seat 62 is located behind the front seat 61. In this embodiment, the rear seat 62 is a single seat extending in the left-right direction. In this case, two or three passengers can sit in the rear seat 62. Note that the rear seat 62 is not limited to a single seat, but may be divided into two, left and right. Also, the rear seat 62 may be composed of two rows in the front-rear direction. That is, the rear seat 62 may be composed of a second row seat and a third row seat.

[0028] Each seat 60 has a seat portion 100 on which the occupant sits, a seat back 200 (backrest portion) that supports the occupant's back, and a headrest 300 attached to the top of the seat back 200. In other words, each of the front seats 61 (driver's seat 61a, passenger seat 61b) and the rear seat 62 has a seat portion 100, a seat back 200, and a headrest 300. Each seat 60 may also have an armrest.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the ceiling 10 is a roof trim. Specifically, the ceiling 10 is a headlining. The ceiling 10 is fixed to the roof 2b of the automobile 2. In this case, the ceiling 10 may be directly attached to the inner surface of the roof 2b, or it may be suspended from the roof 2b.

[0030] Floor 20 is the floor trim. Specifically, floor 20 is the floor carpet fixed to the frame that constitutes the body structure of automobile 2 (vehicle). Although not shown in the illustration, floor mats are laid on floor 20.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pillar trim 30 is composed of multiple pillars. Specifically, the pillar trim 30 has an A-pillar 31, a B-pillar 32, a C-pillar 33, and a D-pillar 34. The A-pillar 31 is a front pillar located next to the windshield. The B-pillar 32 is a center pillar located between the front seats 60 (driver's seat 61a, passenger seat 61b) and the rear seat 63. The C-pillar 33 is a rear pillar located behind the rear seats. The D-pillar 34 is located behind the C-pillar 33 and is a pillar located in front of the hatchback door. In this embodiment, the D-pillar 34 is located behind the rear seat 63.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the door trim 40 is an interior trim member that covers the door panel of the front door 51 and the rear door 52. The door trim 40 that constitutes the inner surface of the front door 51 and the rear door 52 is provided with an armrest, an operating section such as an operating switch (operating button), a cup holder, a door handle, and a storage space. The operating switch is, for example, an open / close switch for opening and closing the window glass. Note that the front door 51 of the driver's seat 61a is provided with an operating switch other than the open / close switch as an operating button.

[0033] Lighting device 3 is an interior lighting device (interior lighting) installed in the vehicle compartment 2a. Lighting device 3 is a seat back light installed on the seat back 200 (backrest portion) of the seat 60. In this embodiment, lighting device 3 is installed on the front seat 61. Specifically, lighting device 3 is installed on the back surface 210 (the surface on the rear seat 62 side) of the seat back 200 of the front seat 61. Lighting device 3 is installed on both the driver's seat 61a and the passenger seat 61b. Therefore, the automobile 2 has two lighting devices 3 installed as seat back lights.

[0034] The lighting device 3 emits illumination light that illuminates the back surface 210 of the seat back 200. In other words, the illumination light emitted from the lighting device 3 illuminates the back surface 210 of the seat back 200. In this embodiment, the lighting device 3 emits illumination light directed towards the back surface 210 of the seat back 200.

[0035] In this way, the lighting device 3 does not shine illumination light towards the rear seat 62, but rather towards the back of the seat back 200 210, so that occupants sitting in the rear seat 62 of the automobile 2 do not experience glare.

[0036] Furthermore, the illumination from the lighting device 3 illuminates the back surface 210 of the seat back 200, thereby indirectly illuminating the space inside the vehicle compartment 2a. In other words, the lighting device 3 is indirect lighting that indirectly brightens the space inside the vehicle compartment 2a. The illumination from the lighting device 3 does not directly shine into the vehicle compartment 2a, but is reflected once by the back surface 210 of the seat back 200 before being emitted into the vehicle compartment 2a. As a result, the space inside the vehicle compartment 2a can be enhanced with indirect lighting, giving the occupants a sense of style, sophistication, or openness.

[0037] Furthermore, the lighting device 3 is installed at the upper end of the seat back 200 and emits illumination light toward the floor 20. In other words, the lighting device 3 emits illumination light toward the floor. This further reduces glare experienced by occupants seated in the rear seat 62.

[0038] In this case, the lighting device 3 should be installed at a position lower than the eye level of the occupant seated in the rear seat 62. This further reduces the glare experienced by the occupant seated in the rear seat 62.

[0039] Furthermore, the illumination light from the lighting device 3 may be directed only to the back surface 210 of the seat back 200, or it may also be directed to the floor 20. In other words, the illumination light from the lighting device 3 may be directed to both the back surface 210 of the seat back 200 and the floor surface of the floor 20.

[0040] This brightens the area around the feet of passengers seated in the rear seats 62, giving them a sense of spaciousness. Additionally, the illumination of the floor 20 provides passengers with a sense of security when getting in and out of the vehicle.

[0041] The lighting device 3 may be illuminated when the driver is about to get into the vehicle 2. For example, the lighting device 3 may be illuminated when the key lock on the door 50 is released or when the door 50 is opened. Alternatively, the lighting device 3 may be illuminated when the ignition power is turned on (for example, when the engine starts and the vehicle 2 is ready to drive).

[0042] In this embodiment, the lighting device 3 remains lit even when the driver is operating the vehicle 2 (while driving). In other words, illumination light is emitted from the lighting device 3 while driving. The lighting device 3 may also remain lit when an occupant gets out of the vehicle 2. Furthermore, the lighting device 3 may only be lit when getting in and out of the vehicle and not while driving, or it may only be lit while driving. In addition, the lighting device 3 may be lit not only at night but also during the day. By illuminating the lighting device 3 during the day, an open and brightly lit space can be created.

[0043] Furthermore, the lighting device 3 may be automatically turned on or off at predetermined timings as described above, but the driver may also control the turning on and off of the lighting device 3 using a switch located at the driver's fingertips. Alternatively, an occupant seated in the rear seat 62 may control the turning on and off of the lighting device 3 using a switch installed on the door trim 40 of the rear door 52.

[0044] The lighting device 3 is a lighting fixture having a light source (not shown), and irradiates light of a predetermined color as illumination light. The light source used in the lighting device 3 is, for example, an LED light source composed of light emitting diodes (LEDs; Light Emitting Diodes). Therefore, the lighting device 3 is an LED lighting device. The LED light source has, for example, a mounting substrate such as a PCB substrate, and one or more LED elements mounted on the mounting substrate. The lighting device 3 has a housing for housing the LED light source, and the light emitted from the LED light source is irradiated to a predetermined irradiation area through the opening of the housing.

[0045] The illumination light irradiated from the lighting device 3 is white light. That is, the illumination light irradiated from the LED light source of the lighting device 3 is white light. In the present embodiment, the light color of the illumination light irradiated from the lighting device 3 is, as an example, a warm light color with a low color temperature such as a bulb color, but is not limited thereto. For example, the light color of the illumination light irradiated from the lighting device 3 may be a cold light color with a high color temperature such as a daylight color. The illumination light irradiated from each lighting device 3 has a predetermined color temperature within the range of 2500K to 7000K. Note that the color of the illumination light irradiated from the lighting device 3 is not limited to white light, and may be a colored light such as blue, red, or green.

[0046] The lighting device 3 includes a light emitting portion 3a having a light emitting surface from which light is emitted as the outer surface of the lighting device 3. In the present embodiment, the light emitting portion 3a is a light transmitting cover through which the light emitted from the light source passes. In this case, the outer surface of the light transmitting cover becomes the light emitting surface of the lighting device 3. Further, the light transmitting cover is an outer member of the lighting device 3. Therefore, the light transmitting cover is exposed in the passenger compartment 2a. Note that the light emitting portion 3a is not limited to the light transmitting cover. For example, when the lighting device 3 does not have a light transmitting cover, the light emitting portion 3a may be an opening such as a slit through which the light emitted from the light source is emitted, or may be the light source itself.

[0047] Regarding the lighting device 3, it is preferable that the light emitting portion 3a (translucent cover) cannot be directly seen by the occupant sitting on the seat 60 in the passenger compartment 2a. In this case, the lighting device 3 is a glareless light configured such that the light emitting portion 3a cannot be seen by the occupant. Thus, by preventing the illumination light from directly entering the eyes of the occupant, a comfortable lighting space can be obtained in the passenger compartment 2a.

[0048] Also, the lighting device 3 is a line lighting that irradiates line-shaped illumination light. That is, the lighting device 3 is elongated. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the lighting device 3 extends along the width direction of the vehicle. In this case, the lighting device 3 may extend linearly, or may extend in a curved shape when the back surface of the seat back 200 is curved.

[0049] By making the lighting device 3 line lighting, illumination light can be irradiated over the width direction of the back surface 210 of the seat back 200. Thereby, the entire irradiation area irradiated with the illumination light of the lighting device 3 can be made into a wide rectangular shape facing downward, so that the spatial effect can be enhanced.

[0050] Here, the details of the irradiation area IA irradiated with the illumination light of the lighting device 3 will be described using FIGS. 3 and 4. FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining the irradiation area IA irradiated with the illumination light of the lighting device 3 in the vehicle interior lighting system 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view of the upper part of the front seat 61, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view when looking at the seat back 200 of the front seat 61 from the rear seat 62.

[0051] As described above, the illumination light of the lighting device 3 is irradiated toward the back surface 210 of the seat back 200. At this time, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the irradiation area IA of the illumination light on the back surface 210 includes a light and dark area. That is, a shadow (light and dark difference) is imparted to the back surface 210 of the seat back 200 by the illumination light of the lighting device 3. The irradiation area IA includes a bright part area, which is a relatively bright area as the light and dark area, and a dark part area, which is a relatively dark area.

[0052] Specifically, in the illumination area IA, bright and dark areas alternate in the direction of illumination from the lighting device 3. In this embodiment, the bright and dark areas in the illumination area IA include the first bright area L1, the first dark area D1, the second bright area L2, the second dark area D2, and the third bright area L3 in that order as you move away from the lighting device 3. Specifically, since the lighting device 3 emits illumination light downwards, the first bright area L1, the first dark area D1, the second bright area L2, the second dark area D2, and the third bright area L3 exist in that order as you move downwards.

[0053] The light and dark areas in the illumination area IA are created by intentionally utilizing the uneven structure of the seat back 200. In this embodiment, the light and dark areas in the illumination area IA are created by the pocket 220 provided in the seat back 200. Specifically, the upper end portion 221, which is the entrance portion of the pocket 220 provided in the seat back 200, is a protrusion that extends from the back surface 210, so the illumination light from the lighting device 3 is shone onto this upper end portion 221 (protrusion) of the pocket 220, creating the light and dark areas. In this case, the second bright area L2 in the illumination area IA is the area where the illumination light from the lighting device 3 is shone onto the upper end portion 221 (protrusion) of the pocket 220.

[0054] In this way, the illumination area IA, illuminated by the light from the lighting device 3, includes areas of light and dark (shadows), which effectively enhances the space inside the vehicle interior 2a. This effectively provides occupants seated in the rear seats 62 with a sense of style, quality, or openness. Furthermore, it can also give occupants a rich sense of exhilaration.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the lighting device 3 is linear lighting, each of the first bright area L1, first dark area D1, second bright area L2, second dark area D2, and third bright area L3 is a strip-shaped area extending in the width direction of the sheet back 200. In this embodiment, the width of the first bright area L1 is the largest, but it is not limited to this.

[0056] As described above, the vehicle interior lighting system 1 according to this embodiment includes a lighting device 3 installed on the seat back 200 of the seat 60, and the lighting device 3 emits illumination light that lights up the back surface 210 of the seat back 200.

[0057] This allows the occupants to experience no glare while creating a pleasant atmosphere within the vehicle compartment 2a.

[0058] Furthermore, the lighting device 3 may be dimmed. In other words, the brightness of the light emitted from the lighting device 3 may be changed. This can improve the lighting effect inside the vehicle compartment 2a.

[0059] Furthermore, the lighting device 3 may be controlled not only for dimming but also for color temperature. This allows for changes not only in the brightness of the light emitted from the lighting device 3, but also in the color temperature of the light. This further enhances the lighting effect inside the vehicle compartment 2a.

[0060] (Embodiment 2) Next, the vehicle interior lighting system 1A according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a top view of the automobile 2 in the vehicle interior lighting system 1A according to Embodiment 2, and Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the automobile 2. In Figures 5 and 6, the black squares indicate the position of the lighting device 3A. In Figure 5, the area indicated by the dotted hatching indicates the area inside the vehicle interior 2a that is illuminated by the lighting from the lighting device 3A.

[0061] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the vehicle interior lighting system 1A comprises a vehicle 2 and a lighting device 3A installed in the vehicle 2.

[0062] Similar to Embodiment 1 described above, the automobile 2 has a ceiling 10, a floor 20, a pillar trim 30, and a door trim 40 as a plurality of interior trim members.

[0063] In this embodiment, a skylight 11 is provided in the ceiling 10. That is, the automobile 2 has a skylight 11 provided in the ceiling 10. Specifically, the skylight 11 is an openable and closable sunroof and has transparent glass that covers the opening in the ceiling 10.

[0064] The lighting device 3A shown in Figures 5 and 6 is a lighting fixture that emits illumination light, similar to the lighting device 3 in Embodiment 1 described above. The lighting device 3A is installed in the automobile 2. The lighting device 3A is an interior lighting device (interior lighting) installed in the passenger compartment 2a, similar to the lighting device 3 in Embodiment 1 described above.

[0065] As shown in Figure 6, the lighting device 3A in this embodiment is installed at a position lower than the ceiling surface 10a of the ceiling 10 of the automobile 2. In this embodiment, the lighting device 3A is installed on the door trim 40. Specifically, the lighting device 3A is embedded in the door trim 40. Therefore, the lighting device 3A is not visible to occupants of the automobile 2.

[0066] As shown in Figure 5, multiple lighting devices 3A are installed in the automobile 2. In this embodiment, the lighting devices 3A are installed on the door trim 40 of each of the pair of rear doors 52. Therefore, two lighting devices 3A are installed in the automobile 2.

[0067] Next, the lighting device 3A will be described in detail with reference to Figures 5 and 6, and using Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a diagram showing how the illumination light from the lighting device 3A is irradiated inside the passenger compartment 2a of the automobile 2 according to Embodiment 2. Figure 8 is an enlarged view showing the area around the door trim 40 of the automobile 2 according to Embodiment 2.

[0068] As shown in Figure 7, the lighting device 3A directs illumination light toward the ceiling 10. In other words, the illumination light emitted from the lighting device 3A shines onto the ceiling surface 10a of the ceiling 10. By illuminating the ceiling surface 10a with illumination light, the ceiling surface 10a and the interior of the vehicle compartment 2a can be brightly illuminated.

[0069] As described above, since the lighting device 3A is installed at a position lower than the ceiling surface 10a of the roof 10 of the automobile 2, the illumination light emitted from the lighting device 3A travels upward. In other words, the lighting device 3A is an uplight that illuminates upward.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lighting device 3A is a spotlight that illuminates a specific narrow area. Therefore, the lighting device 3A illuminates a part of the ceiling surface 10a with spotlight as illumination.

[0071] As shown in Figure 7, the lighting device 3A illuminates an area including at least the edge of the ceiling surface 10a. Specifically, the lighting device 3A illuminates an area including the widthwise edge of the ceiling surface 10a. As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, the lighting device 3A illuminates only the area between the edge of the ceiling surface 10a and the skylight 11. Therefore, the lighting device 3A does not illuminate the window 50a of the rear door 52. Furthermore, the lighting device 3A does not illuminate the skylight 11 provided in the ceiling 10. Specifically, the lighting device 3A illuminates the area between the edge of the ceiling surface 10a and the skylight 11, and the central area in the front-rear direction of the automobile 2 (around the upper part of the B pillar 32).

[0072] As shown in Figure 7, when illumination light is shone from the lighting device 3A onto the ceiling surface 10a, an illumination light irradiation area 3Aa is formed on the ceiling surface 10a. As shown in Figure 5, the illumination light irradiation area 3Aa on the ceiling surface 10a extends along the edge of the ceiling surface 10a in the front-rear direction of the automobile 2. The outer shape of the illumination light irradiation area 3Aa on the ceiling surface 10a is oval. In this case, if the ceiling surface 10a onto which the illumination light is shone is curved, the illumination light irradiation area 3Aa of the lighting device 3A on the ceiling surface 10a will be an oval shape that is distorted according to the curved portion of the ceiling surface 10a.

[0073] The outer shape of the illumination area 3Aa on the ceiling surface 10a is, for example, approximately elliptical. Therefore, if the ceiling surface 10a onto which the illumination light is shone is curved, the illumination area 3Aa on the ceiling surface 10a will be approximately elliptical in shape according to the shape of the curved portion of the ceiling surface 10a. In other words, the illumination area 3Aa on the ceiling surface 10a will be approximately elliptical with distortion according to the curved portion of the ceiling surface 10a.

[0074] Furthermore, the outer shape of the illumination area 3Aa on the ceiling surface 10a is not limited to an ellipse or other oblong shape, but may be roughly rectangular. In this case, the roughly rectangular illumination area 3Aa may have a shape in which the four corners of the rectangle are bulging out, as if the ellipse has been deformed.

[0075] The lighting device 3A emits white light as illumination. However, the color of the light emitted by the lighting device 3A is not limited to white light. Furthermore, the lighting device 3A may have functions for dimming and color temperature control of the illumination light. This allows for changes in the brightness and color temperature of the illumination light emitted from the lighting device 3A, thereby enabling the creation of different atmospheres within the vehicle compartment 2a.

[0076] Furthermore, the lighting device 3A is illuminated, for example, when the driver is operating the vehicle 2 (while driving). In other words, the lighting device 3A emits illumination light while driving (i.e., while the vehicle 2 is in motion). Note that the lighting device 3A may be illuminated not only while driving, but also when not driving. For example, the lighting device 3A may be illuminated when an occupant gets into or out of the vehicle 2. Also, the lighting device 3A may be illuminated not only at night, but also during the day. By illuminating the lighting device 3A during the day, an open and brightly lit space can be created.

[0077] Here, an example of the structure of the lighting device 3A will be described using Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of the lighting device 3A according to Embodiment 2. Figure 10 is an enlarged view of the area around the upper surface portion 40a of the door trim 40 of the automobile 2 according to Embodiment 2.

[0078] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the lighting device 3A is installed inside the door trim 40. The lighting device 3A is covered by the upper surface 40a of the door trim 40. The door trim 40 is provided with an opening 41. In this embodiment, the opening 41 is provided on the upper surface 40a of the door trim 40. The opening 41 is a through-hole through which the illumination light emitted from the lighting device 3A passes. Therefore, the opening 41 of the door trim 40 becomes a light emission part, and the illumination light from the lighting device 3A passes through the opening 41 of the door trim 40 and is irradiated into the vehicle compartment 2a.

[0079] In this embodiment, the opening 41 provided in the door trim 40 is a long slit. As an example, the shape of the opening 41 may be an oval, such as a racetrack shape, or a roughly rectangular shape. However, the opening 41 is not limited to a long slit. For example, the shape of the opening 41 may be circular or elliptical, or a polygon other than a rectangle.

[0080] As shown in Figure 9, the lighting device 3A comprises a light source module 1100, a light shielding member 1200, a lens 1300, a housing 1400, and a cover plate 1500.

[0081] The light source module 1100 includes a light source 1110 that emits light and a substrate 1120 on which the light source 1110 is arranged. The light source module 1100 emits light that becomes the illumination light for the lighting device 3A. Specifically, the light emitted from the light source 1110 of the light source module 1100 becomes the illumination light for the lighting device 3A.

[0082] In this embodiment, the light source 1110 is an LED light source composed of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Therefore, the lighting device 3A is an LED lighting device. The light source 1110 is, for example, a white LED light source that emits white light of a predetermined color temperature. The color temperature range of the white light emitted by the light source 1110 is, for example, 3000K to 7000K, but is not limited to this.

[0083] The light distribution of the light emitted from the light-emitting surface of the LED light source 1110 is Lambertsian. Specifically, the beam angle of the light emitted from the light source 1110 is 120°. In other words, the light emitted from the light source 1110 is divergent light with a broad spread.

[0084] In this embodiment, the light source 1110 is a packaged surface-mount (SMD) type LED element. In other words, the light source module 1100 is an SMD type LED module.

[0085] The surface-mount LED light source 1110 comprises a white resin package (container) having a recess, an LED chip primarily mounted on the bottom surface of the recess in the package, and a sealing member enclosed within the recess of the package. The sealing member is made of a light-transmitting resin material such as silicone resin. The sealing member may also be a phosphor-containing resin containing a wavelength conversion material such as a phosphor.

[0086] An LED chip is an example of a semiconductor light-emitting element that emits light in response to a predetermined DC power, and is a bare chip that emits monochromatic visible light. For example, an LED chip is a blue LED chip that emits blue light when powered on. In this case, in order to obtain white light, the encapsulating material contains a yellow phosphor such as YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) that fluoresces using the blue light from the blue LED chip as excitation light.

[0087] The light source 1110 configured in this way is a B-Y type white LED light source composed of a blue LED chip and a yellow phosphor. Specifically, the yellow phosphor absorbs a portion of the blue light emitted by the blue LED chip, is excited, and emits yellow light. This yellow light and the blue light that was not absorbed by the yellow phosphor mix to produce white light. In addition to the yellow phosphor, the encapsulating material may also contain a red phosphor or a green phosphor.

[0088] Furthermore, although there is one light source 1110 in this embodiment, it is not limited to this. In other words, there may be multiple light sources 1110. In this case, multiple light sources 1110 constitute one light-emitting unit, and the center of the light-emitting unit becomes the optical axis.

[0089] The light source module 1100 is not limited to an SMD type LED module. For example, the light source module 1100 may be a COB (Chip On Board) type LED module. In this case, the light source 1110 has an LED chip (bare chip) directly mounted on the substrate 1120 and a sealing member that seals the LED chip. There may be one LED chip or multiple LED chips. When multiple LED chips are mounted on the substrate 1120, the multiple LED chips may be sealed together by the sealing member or sealed individually. Furthermore, the sealing member may contain a wavelength conversion material such as a yellow phosphor, as described above.

[0090] The substrate 1120 is a mounting substrate for mounting the light source 1110. Specifically, the substrate 1120 is a printed circuit board in which metal wiring is formed in a predetermined pattern. The base material constituting the substrate 1120 is a resin substrate, a ceramic substrate, or a metal base substrate, etc. The substrate 1120 is provided with a pair of electrode terminals for receiving DC power from an external source to make the light source 1110 emit light. The pair of electrode terminals are electrically connected to a power supply circuit by wires or the like.

[0091] The light source 1110 emits light using power supplied from a power supply circuit (not shown). The power supply circuit receives AC power and converts it into DC power at a predetermined level by rectifying, smoothing, and stepping down the AC power. The DC power generated by the power supply circuit is supplied to the light source 1110, causing the light source 1110 to emit light. The power supply circuit, for example, is configured as a constant current circuit, but the current supplied to the light source 1110 may be limited by a constant voltage circuit and a resistor. The power supply circuit may be built into the lighting device 3A, or it may be installed separately from the lighting device 3A.

[0092] On the light-emitting side of the light source 1110, the light-shielding member 1200 and the lens 1300 are arranged in this order. The light-shielding member 1200 and the lens 1300 are located on the optical axis of the light source 1110.

[0093] The light-shielding member 1200 has an opening 1210 and a light-shielding portion 1220. The opening 1210 is a through-hole through which light from the light source 1110 passes. In this embodiment, the opening 1210 allows a portion of the light emitted from the light source 1110 to pass through. The light-shielding portion 1220 shields a portion of the outer peripheral region of the light emitted from the light source 1110. The light-shielding portion 1220 is a flat light-shielding plate having the opening 1210.

[0094] The aperture 1210 is located between the light source 1110 and the lens portion 1310 of the lens 1300. The aperture 1210 faces the light source 1110 in the optical axis direction of the light source 1110, at a predetermined distance from it. The center of the aperture 1210 coincides with the optical axis of the light source 1110.

[0095] The opening 1210 is a long, rectangular slit. For example, the shape of the opening 1210 may be an oval, such as a racetrack shape, or a roughly rectangular shape. However, the opening 1210 is not limited to a long, rectangular slit. For example, the shape of the opening 1210 may be circular or elliptical, or a polygon other than a rectangle.

[0096] Light emitted from the light source 1110 in a Lambertsian pattern is partially blocked by the light-shielding portion 1220 in its outer region, while the remaining portion not blocked by the light-shielding portion 1220 passes through the opening 1210. In other words, the inner region of the light emitted from the light source 1110 passes through the opening 1210. The light-shielding member 1200 may also be configured such that most of the light emitted from the light source 1110 passes through the opening 1210.

[0097] Furthermore, the light-shielding member 1200 blocks stray light caused by light emitted from the light source 1110. For example, the light-shielding member 1200 blocks light (stray light) that is reflected by the inner wall of the housing 1400 or the like from the light emitted from the light source 1110. This prevents stray light generated in the space between the light-shielding member 1200 and the light source 1110 from passing through the opening 1210 and entering the lens 1300.

[0098] The light-shielding member 1200 (light-shielding portion 1220) may block light by absorbing it, or by specular reflection or scattered reflection, but it is preferable for the light-shielding member 1200 to block light by absorbing it. In this case, the light-shielding member 1200 may be made of a light-absorbing material with a light transmittance of 10% or less, for example. A resin material or a metal material can be used as the light-absorbing material. In this embodiment, the light-absorbing material constituting the light-shielding member 1200 is a black resin material. This makes it possible to efficiently absorb and block light that reaches the light-shielding portion 1220 of the light-shielding member 1200.

[0099] The lens 1300 is an optical component that controls the light distribution of light emitted from the light source module 1100. The lens 1300 has a lens portion 1310 through which light from the light source 1110 of the light source module 1100 passes, and a support portion 1320 provided on the outside of the lens portion 1310.

[0100] The lens portion 1310 is the lens body and a light-transmitting member that controls the light distribution of incident light. In this embodiment, light emitted from the light source 1110 is incident on the lens portion 1310, so the lens portion 1310 controls the light distribution of the light emitted from the light source 1110. The optical axis (lens axis) of the lens portion 1310 coincides with the optical axis of the light source 110.

[0101] Light emitted from the light source 1110 and passing through the opening 1210 of the light-shielding member 1200 is transmitted through the lens portion 1310. Therefore, the lens portion 1310 has a light-emitting surface from which light is emitted.

[0102] In this embodiment, the lens portion 1310 is a condensing lens that focuses the light emitted from the light source 1110. Specifically, the lens portion 1310 focuses the light emitted from the light source 1110 that has passed through the opening 1210 of the light-shielding member 1200. The lens portion 1310 is, for example, a convex lens. The lens portion 1310 is positioned between the opening 1210 of the light-shielding member 1200 and the opening 1410 of the housing 1400.

[0103] The support portion 1320 is a flange portion formed in a flange shape on the outer circumference of the lens portion 1310. The support portion 1320 supports the housing 1400.

[0104] The lens 1300 is formed using a light-transmitting material. Specifically, the lens 1300 is made of a transparent resin material such as acrylic or polycarbonate, or a transparent material such as glass.

[0105] The housing 1400 is a case that encloses the light source module 1100, the light shielding member 1200, and the lens 1300. In other words, the light source module 1100, the light shielding member 1200, and the lens 1300 are housed in the housing 1400.

[0106] The housing 1400 has an opening 1410 and a light-shielding portion 1420. The opening 1410 is a through-hole through which light emitted from the lens portion 1310 of the lens 1300 passes. In this embodiment, the opening 1410 allows a portion of the light emitted from the lens 1300 to pass through. The light-shielding portion 1420 shields a portion of the outer peripheral region of the light emitted from the lens 1300. The light-shielding portion 1420 is a flat light-shielding plate having the opening 1410.

[0107] The light-shielding portion 1420 is positioned on the light-emitting side of the lens portion 1310 of the lens 1300. The opening 1410 is positioned at a predetermined distance from the lens portion 1310. The opening 1410 faces the lens portion 1310 in the optical axis direction of the light source 1110. The center of the opening 1410 coincides with the optical axis of the light source 1110. Therefore, the center of the opening 1410 coincides with the center of the opening 1210 of the light-shielding member 1200, and also coincides with the center of the lens portion 1310 of the lens 1300.

[0108] The opening 1410 is a long, rectangular slit. For example, the shape of the opening 1410 may be an oval, such as a racetrack shape, or a roughly rectangular shape. In this embodiment, the opening 1410 has the same shape and size as the opening 1210 of the light-shielding member 1200. However, the opening 1410 is not limited to a long, rectangular slit. For example, the shape of the opening 1410 may be circular or elliptical, or a polygon other than a rectangle. Also, the opening 1410 does not have to be the same shape or size as the opening 1210 of the light-shielding member 1200. For example, even if the opening 1210 and the opening 1410 have the same shape, they may be different sizes. Specifically, the size of the opening 1210 may be larger than the size of the opening 1410.

[0109] The light-shielding portion 1420 suppresses the spread of light emitted from the lens portion 1310 of the lens 1300. In other words, the light-shielding portion 1420 limits the angle of spread of light emitted from the lens portion 1310. Specifically, the light that is focused by the lens portion 1310 and emitted from the lens portion 1310 is partially shielded by the light-shielding portion 1420 in its outer region, while the remaining portion not shielded by the light-shielding portion 1420 passes through the opening 1410. In other words, the inner region of the light emitted from the lens portion 1310 passes through the opening 1410. For example, light emitted from the peripheral portion of the lens portion 1310 that becomes parallel light is shielded by the light-shielding portion 1420, while light emitted from the central portion of the lens portion 1310 passes through the opening 1410 and becomes focused light. In this way, the light-shielding portion 1420 limits the divergence angle of the light emitted from the lens portion 1310 by cutting off a portion of the light emitted from the lens portion 1310.

[0110] Light passing through the opening 1410 of the housing 1400 is irradiated onto the ceiling surface 10a as illumination light from the lighting device 3A. Therefore, the opening 1410 is the light emission part of the lighting device 3A. In other words, the opening 1410 is a through-hole that becomes the light emission part from which light from the light source 1110 is emitted.

[0111] The light-shielding portion 1420 may block light by absorbing light, similar to the light-shielding member 1200, or by specular or scattered reflection of light. However, it is preferable for the light-shielding portion 1420 to block light by absorbing light, similar to the light-shielding member 1200. In this case, the light-shielding portion 1420 may be made of a light-absorbing material with a light transmittance of 10% or less, for example. Resin materials or metal materials can be used as the light-absorbing material. In this embodiment, the light-absorbing material constituting the light-shielding portion 1420 is a black resin material. This allows for efficient absorption and blocking of light that reaches the light-shielding portion 1420. The material of the light-shielding portion 1420 is the same as the material of the light-shielding member 1200, but it may be different from the material of the light-shielding member 1200. Also, in this embodiment, the housing 1400 is constructed as a single unit. Therefore, the entire housing 1400 is made of light-absorbing material.

[0112] The opening on the light source module 1100 side of the housing 1400 is covered by a cover plate 1500. The cover plate 1500 is fixed to the housing 1400 so as to cover the opening on the light source module 1100 side of the housing 1400. The cover plate 1500 may be a resin plate made of a resin material, or a metal plate made of a metal material. The cover plate 1500, together with the housing 1400, is an outer enclosure member that constitutes the outer casing of the lighting device 3A.

[0113] The lighting device 3A configured in this way is designed so that the opening 1410 (light-emitting part) of the housing 1400 is not visible when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the ceiling surface 10a of the ceiling 10. Specifically, occupants of the automobile 2 are unable to see the opening 1410 (light-emitting part) of the housing 1400. This suppresses the perception of glare by the occupants, thereby realizing a glare-free lighting device 3A.

[0114] In this embodiment, the light-emitting part of the lighting device 3A was the opening 1410 of the housing 1400, but it is not limited to this. For example, if the housing 1400 of the lighting device 3A does not have an opening 1410, the light-emitting part of the lighting device 3A may be the lens 1300. Also, if the housing 1400 of the lighting device 3A does not have an opening 1410 and the lighting device 3A has a light-transmitting cover that covers the lens 1300, the light-emitting part of the lighting device 3A will be the light-transmitting cover. In this case, the light-transmitting cover may be a transparent cover rather than a diffusion cover. This makes it easy to irradiate a specific illumination area 3Aa on the ceiling surface 10a with illumination light.

[0115] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the opening 1410 of the housing 1400 in the lighting device 3A communicates with the opening 41 of the door trim 40. Specifically, the shape of the opening 1410 of the lighting device 3A on the door trim 40 side matches the shape of the opening 41 of the door trim 40 on the lighting device 3A side.

[0116] The opening 1410 of the lighting device 3A (the light emission portion of the lighting device 3A) may also constitute part of the door trim 40.

[0117] As described above, the vehicle interior lighting system 1A according to this embodiment comprises a mobile vehicle 2 and a lighting device 3A installed in the vehicle interior 2a of the vehicle 2. The lighting device 3A is installed at a position lower than the ceiling surface 10a of the ceiling 10 of the vehicle 2 and illuminates an area including at least the edge of the ceiling surface 10a with illumination light.

[0118] This configuration allows for an increased distance between the lighting device 3A and the ceiling surface 10a, which is the surface onto which the illumination light from the lighting device 3A is projected. In other words, the lighting device 3A can emit illumination light from a position away from the ceiling surface 10a, thereby illuminating the ceiling surface 10a. As a result, the illumination light projected from the lighting device 3A spreads toward the ceiling surface 10a, illuminating a wide area of ​​the ceiling surface 10a. Therefore, even with a small lighting device 3A, it is possible to illuminate a wide area of ​​the ceiling surface 10a without using a large, long lighting device such as one that uses a light guide rod. Thus, according to the vehicle interior lighting system 1A and lighting device 3A of this embodiment, illumination light can be projected onto a wide area of ​​the ceiling 10 inside the vehicle interior 2a, thereby creating a pleasant atmosphere within the vehicle interior 2a.

[0119] In particular, in this embodiment, the lighting device 3A has a lens 1300 that controls the light distribution of the light emitted from the light source module 1100, so that the lighting light with controlled distribution is irradiated onto the ceiling surface 10a from a position away from the ceiling surface 10a. As a result, the lighting light is irradiated over an even wider area of ​​the ceiling surface 10a.

[0120] Then, when the illumination light is shone onto the ceiling surface 10a, an illumination light irradiation area 3Aa is formed on the ceiling surface 10a. In this embodiment, the illumination light from the lighting device 3A is shone into the vehicle compartment 2a by passing through the opening 1410 of the housing 1400 and the opening 41 of the door trim 40. As an example, if the shape of the opening 1410 of the housing 1400 is a racetrack shape, as shown in Figure 10, if the length of the major axis W1 in the opening 1410 of the housing 1400 is 6 mm and the length of the minor axis W2 is 1 mm, then the illumination range of the illumination light where the illuminance of the illumination light is 0.1 lux [lx] among the illumination surfaces perpendicular to the optical axis of the lighting device 3A is an oval shape of 395 mm × 75 mm, and the illumination light irradiation area 3Aa on the ceiling surface 10a where the illuminance of the illumination light is 0.1 lux [lx] is an oval shape of 440 mm × 110 mm. In this case, as shown in Figure 7, the irradiation distance La from the opening 1410 of the housing 1400 to the ceiling surface 10a is approximately 400 mm.

[0121] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the illumination area 3Aa of the lighting light on the ceiling surface 10a extends in the front-to-rear direction of the automobile 2 along the edge of the ceiling surface 10a. In other words, lighting light can be irradiated over a wide area of ​​the ceiling surface 10a in the front-to-rear direction of the automobile 2 along the edge of the ceiling surface 10a.

[0122] Furthermore, in the vehicle interior lighting system 1A according to this embodiment, the lighting device 3A illuminates only the area between the edge of the ceiling surface 10a and the skylight 11. Therefore, the lighting device 3A does not illuminate the window 50a of the rear door 52. Also, the lighting device 3A does not illuminate the skylight 11 provided in the ceiling 10.

[0123] This configuration prevents the illumination light emitted from the lighting device 3A from reflecting onto the window 50a or skylight 11. As a result, the illumination light from the lighting device 3A can create a high-quality atmosphere within the vehicle compartment 2a.

[0124] Furthermore, in the vehicle interior lighting system 1A according to this embodiment, the lighting device 3A is installed on the door trim 40 of the automobile 2.

[0125] With this configuration, since the lighting device 3A is installed on the side of the automobile 2, interference between the movement of the occupants in the automobile 2 or objects such as luggage placed in the automobile 2 and the illumination light emitted from the lighting device 3A can be suppressed. In other words, shadows on the illumination light can be suppressed.

[0126] In this embodiment, an opening 41 is provided in the door trim 40, and the illumination light from the lighting device 3A passes through the opening 41 in the door trim 40 and is irradiated into the vehicle compartment 2a.

[0127] This configuration eliminates the visual presence of the lighting device 3A, allowing the illumination light to be emitted directly from the door trim 40, thus creating a high-quality atmosphere within the vehicle interior 2a.

[0128] (Modification) The vehicle interior lighting systems 1 and 1A according to the present invention have been described above based on embodiments 1 and 2, but the present invention is not limited to embodiments 1 and 2.

[0129] For example, as shown in Figure 11, the lighting device 3B may be configured to allow the irradiation angle of the illumination light to be changed. In this case, the lighting device 3B has an angle adjustment unit for adjusting the irradiation angle of the illumination light. The angle adjustment unit can, for example, change the direction of the light emitter 3a of the lighting device 3A manually or electrically. Note that the angle adjustment unit may be provided on the seat 60 (for example, the front seat 61) instead of the lighting device 3B. In other words, the angle adjustment unit can be provided on the automobile 2 or the interior lighting system 1. By changing the irradiation angle of the illumination light in this way, the illumination light can be directed toward the rear seat 62. This allows the lighting device 3B to be used as task lighting for occupants seated in the rear seat 62.

[0130] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 1, the illumination area IA of the illumination light on the back surface 210 of the seat back 200 included a first bright area L1, a first dark area D1, a second bright area L2, a second dark area D2, and a third bright area L3 as light and dark areas, but is not limited to this. For example, the light and dark areas in the illumination area IA may include only the first bright area, the dark area, and the second bright area in that order as they move away from the illumination device 3. Also, in the above embodiment, the illumination area IA had bright areas and dark areas that alternated two or more times, but the illumination area IA may have bright areas and dark areas that alternated three or more times.

[0131] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 1, the light and dark areas (shadows) in the illumination area IA were created by the pocket 220 provided on the seat back 200, but this is not limited to this. For example, the light and dark areas (shadows) in the illumination area IA may be created by the shape of the back surface 210 of the seat back 200. Specifically, in a cross-section of the automobile 2 (vehicle), if the back surface 210 of the seat back 200 has at least one curved surface that is concave toward the front of the automobile 2, then the illumination light from the lighting device 3 may irradiate this curved surface of the seat back 200, creating light and dark areas (shadows) on the back surface 210 of the seat back 200. In the above embodiment, the uneven structure of the seat back 200 was intentionally utilized to create light and dark areas (shadows) in the illumination area IA, but the uneven structure of the seat back 200 may also be controlled from an optical perspective to create light and dark areas (shadows) in the illumination area IA.

[0132] Furthermore, although the lighting device 3 in the above embodiment 1 was a long, linear lighting device, it is not limited to this. For example, the lighting device 3 may be a spot lighting device that emits a circular spot of light. In this case, the dark area and the dark area are arc-shaped band areas.

[0133] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 1, the lighting device 3 was installed in both the driver's seat 61a and the passenger seat 61b, but this is not limited to this. For example, the lighting device 3 may be installed in either the driver's seat 61a or the passenger seat 61b. Also, the lighting device 3 may be installed in the rear seat 62 instead of the front seat 61.

[0134] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 1, the lighting device 3 emitted illumination light toward the floor 20 side (downward), but this is not limited to this. For example, the lighting device 3 may emit illumination light toward the ceiling 10 side (upward). In other words, the lighting device 3 may be an uplight. In this case, the lighting device 3 is installed below the seat back 200.

[0135] Furthermore, although only a seat back light was described as the lighting device 3 installed in the automobile 2 in the first embodiment described above, other lighting devices may be installed in the automobile 2. For example, other lighting devices in the automobile 2 may include a front room light (front room lamp) and a rear room light (rear room lamp) installed in the center of the ceiling 10, ceiling side lights installed at the ends of the ceiling 10 in the width direction, pillar lights installed on the pillar trim 30, door trim lights installed on the door trim 40, a center console light installed on the center console, and footlights installed below the instrument panel. The illumination light emitted from these other lighting devices and the lighting device 3 which is the back seat light may be controlled in conjunction with each other.

[0136] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 1, the lighting device 3 was a glareless light configured so that the light-emitting part 3a was not visible to the occupants, but it is not limited to this. In other words, the lighting device 3 may be configured so that the light-emitting part 3a is visible to the occupants.

[0137] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 2, the lighting device 3A is installed on the door trim 40 and configured to emit illumination light from the upper surface of the door trim 40 toward the ceiling surface 10a, but the invention is not limited to this configuration.

[0138] Specifically, as shown in Modification 2 in Figures 12 and 13, the lighting device 3A may be installed on the D-pillar 34 of the pillar trim 30, and the lighting light may be directed from behind the rear seat 63 toward the ceiling surface 10a. In this case, the D-pillar 34 is provided with an opening through which the lighting light emitted from the lighting device 3A passes. Alternatively, the lighting device 3A may be installed on the C-pillar 33 of the pillar trim 30, and the lighting light may be directed from the C-pillar 33 toward the ceiling surface 10a.

[0139] Alternatively, as shown in Modification 3 in Figures 14 and 15, the lighting device 3A may be installed in the curved portion 10b located behind the ceiling surface 10a of the automobile 2, so that the illumination light is projected from the rear of the ceiling 10 toward the center of the ceiling surface 10a. In this case, an opening is provided in the curved portion 10b of the ceiling 10 through which the illumination light projected from the lighting device 3A passes. Furthermore, in Modification 3, the irradiation angle of the illumination light toward the ceiling surface 10a is shallower compared to Embodiment 2 and Modification 2 described above.

[0140] In both Modification 2 and Modification 3, similar to Embodiment 2, the lighting device 3A illuminates the area between the edge of the ceiling surface 10a and the skylight 11, and the central area in the front-rear direction of the automobile 2 (around the upper part of the B pillar 32). Therefore, in Modifications 2 and 3, the illumination distance from the lighting device 3A to the ceiling surface 10a is longer than in Embodiment 2. As a result, in Modifications 2 and 3, a wider area of ​​the ceiling surface 10a can be illuminated with lighting light compared to Embodiment 2.

[0141] As an example of modification 3, if the shape of the opening provided in the curved portion 10b of the ceiling 10 is a racetrack shape, and the length of the major axis W1 in this opening is 35 mm and the length of the minor axis W2 is 14 mm, then the illumination range of the illumination light perpendicular to the optical axis of the lighting device 3A where the illuminance of the illumination light is 0.1 lux [lx] is an oval shape of 120 mm × 49 mm, and the illumination area 3Aa of the illumination light on the ceiling surface 10a where the illuminance of the illumination light is 0.1 lux [lx] is an oval shape of 440 mm × 110 mm. In this case, the illumination distance from the opening provided in the curved portion 10b of the ceiling 10 to the ceiling surface 10a is approximately 1000 mm.

[0142] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 2, the lighting device 3A was an interior lighting device installed in the vehicle compartment 2a, but it is not limited to this. Specifically, the lighting device 3A does not have to be installed in the vehicle compartment 2a. For example, the lighting device 3A may be installed on the ceiling of a room in a house or building, etc.

[0143] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, an opening 41 is provided in the door trim 40 as a light-emitting section, and the illumination light from the lighting device 3A passes through the opening 41, which is a through-hole, and is irradiated into the vehicle compartment 2a. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, a transparent cover may be provided in the door trim 40 as a light-emitting section, and the illumination light from the lighting device 3A may pass through this transparent cover and be irradiated into the vehicle compartment 2a.

[0144] Furthermore, in embodiments 1 and 2 described above, the light sources of the lighting devices 3 and 3A were LED light sources, but this is not limited to them. For example, the light sources of the lighting devices 3 and 3A may be existing light sources such as fluorescent lamps, xenon lamps, or halogen lamps. However, by using LED light sources for the light sources of the lighting devices 3 and 3A, power consumption can be reduced, and the lighting devices 3 and 3A can be lit with a DC power supply.

[0145] Furthermore, although the above embodiments 1 and 2 used an automobile 2 as an example of a mobile body, the invention is not limited to this. Specifically, the mobile body may be any vehicle other than an automobile, such as a railway car, as long as it has a passenger compartment. In other words, the lighting devices 3 and 3A may be installed inside the passenger compartment of a vehicle other than an automobile.

[0146] Furthermore, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each of the above embodiments and modifications that a person skilled in the art could conceive, as well as forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each of the above embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, the present invention also includes arbitrary combinations of one or more components in each of the multiple claims described in the claims of this application. Furthermore, when the cited claims described in the claims of this application are made into a multi-claim or multi-multi-claim that references any multiple claims (for example, when each claim is made into a multi-claim or multi-multi-claim that references all of the higher-level claims), all forms obtained by combinations of all claims included in that multi-claim or multi-multi-claim are also included in the present invention.

[0147] 1, 1A In-car lighting system 2 Automobile (mobile) 2a In-car compartment 3, 3A, 3B Lighting device 3Aa Illumination area 10 Ceiling 10a Ceiling surface 10b Curved section 11 Skylight 20 Floor 33 C-pillar 34 D-pillar 40 Door trim 40a Top surface 41 Opening 50a Window 60 Seat 61 Front seat 200 Seat back 210 Back 220 Pocket 221 Upper end IA Illumination area L1 First bright area L2 Second bright area L3 Third bright area D1 First dark area D2 Second dark area

Claims

1. An interior lighting system comprising a seat installed in the interior of a vehicle, and a lighting device installed on the back of the seat, wherein the lighting device emits illumination light to light up the back of the seat.

2. The vehicle interior lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the illuminated area on the back surface to which the illumination light is irradiated includes a light and dark area, and the light and dark area includes a first bright area, a dark area, and a second bright area in that order as it moves away from the illumination device.

3. The vehicle interior lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the illuminated area on the back surface to which the illumination light is irradiated includes a light and dark area, and the light and dark area includes a first bright area, a first dark area, a second bright area, a second dark area, and a third bright area in that order as it moves away from the illumination device.

4. The vehicle interior lighting system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a protrusion exists on the back of the seat back, and the illumination light is shone on the protrusion to form the light and dark areas.

5. The vehicle interior lighting system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a protrusion exists on the back of the seat back, and the second bright area is the area where the illumination light shines on the protrusion.

6. The vehicle interior lighting system according to claim 5, wherein the protrusion is the upper end of a pocket provided on the seat back.

7. The vehicle interior lighting system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, in a cross-section of the vehicle, the back of the seat back has at least one curved surface that is concave toward the front of the vehicle, and the illumination light irradiates the curved surface to create a shadow on the back of the seat back.

8. The vehicle interior lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lighting device is a line lighting extending in the width direction of the vehicle.

9. The vehicle interior lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lighting device irradiates the lighting light toward the floor side of the vehicle.

10. The vehicle interior lighting system according to claim 9, wherein the illumination light is projected onto the floor of the vehicle.

11. An interior lighting system for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising an angle adjustment unit for adjusting the irradiation angle of the illumination light.

12. The vehicle interior lighting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the seat is a front seat.

13. An interior lighting system comprising a mobile body and a lighting device installed inside the vehicle interior of the mobile body, wherein the lighting device is installed at a position lower than the ceiling surface of the mobile body and illuminates an area including at least the edge of the ceiling surface with illumination light.

14. The vehicle interior lighting system according to claim 13, wherein the illumination area of ​​the lighting light on the ceiling surface extends in the front-rear direction of the moving body along the edge of the ceiling surface.

15. The vehicle interior lighting system according to claim 13, wherein the moving body has a window on the side of the moving body, and the lighting device does not irradiate the window with the lighting light.

16. The vehicle interior lighting system according to claim 13, wherein the moving body has a skylight provided in the ceiling of the moving body, and the lighting device does not irradiate the skylight with the lighting light.

17. The vehicle interior lighting system according to claim 16, wherein the lighting device illuminates only the area between the edge of the ceiling surface and the skylight with the illumination light.

18. The vehicle interior lighting system according to claim 13, wherein the lighting device is installed on the door trim of the moving body.

19. The interior lighting system according to claim 18, wherein an opening is provided in the door trim, and the illumination light passes through the opening and is irradiated into the interior of the vehicle.

20. The vehicle interior lighting system according to claim 18, wherein the light-emitting portion of the illumination light emitted from the lighting device constitutes a part of the door trim.

21. The vehicle interior lighting system according to claim 13, wherein the lighting device is installed on the C-pillar or D-pillar of the moving body.

22. The vehicle interior lighting system according to claim 13, wherein the lighting device is installed in a curved section located at the rear of the ceiling surface of the moving body.

23. The vehicle interior lighting system according to any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein the lighting device has a light emitting section, and the light emitting section is configured so as not to be visible to the occupants of the moving vehicle.

24. The interior lighting system of a vehicle according to any one of claims 13 to 22, wherein the outer shape of the illumination area of ​​the lighting light on the ceiling surface is oval or substantially elliptical.

25. The vehicle interior lighting system according to any one of claims 13 to 22, wherein the illumination area of ​​the lighting light on the ceiling surface is an oval or substantially elliptical shape with distortion according to the curved portion of the ceiling surface.

26. A lighting device installed inside the vehicle of a mobile vehicle, wherein the lighting device is installed at a position lower than the ceiling surface of the mobile vehicle and illuminates an area including at least the edge of the ceiling surface with illumination light.

27. A mobile body comprising a lighting device installed inside the vehicle of the mobile body, wherein the lighting device is installed at a position lower than the ceiling surface of the mobile body and irradiates illumination light to an area including at least the edge of the ceiling surface.

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