Lighting display device for saddle-riding-type vehicle

Abstract

Provided is a lighting display device for a saddle-riding-type vehicle, the lighting display device being capable of illuminating a display area on a visor through a simple configuration. A lighting display device 30L for a saddle-riding-type vehicle illuminates a lighting area AL, which is part of a visor 20 of a vehicle. The lighting display device 30L for a saddle-riding-type vehicle comprises a light source 31 that emits light L1, a collimator lens 32 that collimates the light L1 from the light source 31, and an exit surface of a first light distribution lens 33 and an entrance surface of a second light distribution lens 34 that distribute the light L1 having passed through the collimator lens 32 to match the lighting area AL.

Description

Lighting display device for saddle-ride type vehicles

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lighting display device for saddle-ride type vehicles.

[0002] The information display device described in Patent Document 1 includes a light source, a light guide member that guides light from the light source, and a pair of light emitting units disposed on left and right sides of a windscreen (visor), wherein each of the light emitting units diffuses and emits the light guided by the light guide member.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 7425820

[0004] In the configuration described in the above Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide the light source, the light guide member and the light emitting unit near the visor, which complicates the configuration of the visor.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above situation, and an object thereof is to provide a lighting display device for a saddle-ride type vehicle that can perform lighting display on a visor with a simple configuration.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the lighting display device for a saddle-ride type vehicle according to the present disclosure is a lighting display device for a saddle-ride type vehicle that lights a lighting region which is a part of a visor of the saddle-ride type vehicle, comprising: a light source that emits light; collimating means that collimates the light from the light source; and one or more light distribution lens surfaces that distribute the light having passed through the collimating means according to the lighting region.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the visor can be lit and displayed with a simple configuration.

[0008] This is a schematic perspective view of the area around the visor of a vehicle according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of the vehicle cut along the XY cross-section according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. This is a side view of a part of the visor according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. This is a view of the visor of Figure 3 with the visor removed. This is an enlarged view of a part of Figure 4A. This is a perspective view of the second light distribution lens according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. This is a rear view of a part of the meter unit according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of the vehicle cut along the XY cross-section according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. This is a perspective view of a part of the meter unit according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. This is a view of Figure 8 with the case omitted. This is a rear view of the meter unit with the case omitted according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. This is a perspective view of a part of the first light distribution lens according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of the vehicle cut along the XY cross-section according to the second embodiment of this disclosure.

[0009] (First Embodiment) A vehicle having a saddle-type vehicle lighting display device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 10 is a motorcycle, which is an example of a saddle-type vehicle. In the following description, the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10 is defined as the X direction, the width direction (left-right direction) of the vehicle 10 is defined as the Y direction, and the height direction of the vehicle 10 is defined as the Z direction. Furthermore, the upper U, lower D, and front F directions are defined as viewed from the driver Dr of the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 comprises a saddle-type vehicle lighting display device 30L, 30R, a visor 20, a garnish 50, a front cowl 55, a headlight 60, and a meter unit 70.

[0010] The visor 20 is a windshield that protects the driver Dr from rain, wind, or flying objects. The visor 20 is a curved plate made of a light-transmitting material such as acrylic or polycarbonate. The visor 20 is a curved plate that is concave in the X and Z directions when viewed from the driver Dr side. The visor 20 is installed in a direction that slopes downward D as it approaches the front F. The headlight 60 is located below the visor 20 and illuminates the front of the vehicle 10. The garnish 50 is an exterior part of the vehicle body 10 and is formed in a V-shape that opens upward so as to surround the headlight 60 and the lower part of the visor 20.

[0011] The front cowl 55 is a headlight stay that supports the headlight 60, and is formed to face the entire inner surface of the headlight 60 and the lower inner surface end of the visor 20. As shown in Figure 2, the front cowl 55 has a light guide hole 55h formed at a position facing the lower inner surface end of the visor 20. Light L2, which will be described later, passes through the light guide hole 55h from the first light distribution lens 33 toward the second light distribution lens 34.

[0012] As shown in Figures 3 and 4A, the meter unit 70 is located on the inner side (driver side) of the visor 20 and displays vehicle information such as vehicle speed. The meter unit 70 has a display surface 70a for displaying vehicle information. The display surface 70a is a rectangle that is long in the Y direction. The display surface 70a is inclined to face the driver side, specifically, it is inclined so that it moves from the upper side U towards the front side F. The upper surface of the meter unit 70 is curved and convex along the inner surface of the visor 20.

[0013] As shown in Figures 6 to 10, the meter unit 70 comprises a display unit 71, a circuit board 72, a case 73, and a light-transmitting cover 74.

[0014] The display unit 71 comprises a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) type liquid crystal display panel (not shown) and a light source for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel. The display unit 71 is not limited to a liquid crystal display panel; it may also be an organic EL panel.

[0015] As shown in Figure 10, the circuit boards 72 are located on both sides of the display unit 71 in the Y direction. The circuit boards 72 extend in a direction along the display surface 70a. Various electronic components for operating the meter unit 70 are mounted on the circuit boards 72. The light sources 31 of the saddle-type vehicle lighting display devices 30L and 30R are mounted on the back surface 72a of each circuit board 72. As shown in Figure 4A, the back surface 72a of the circuit board 72 is the surface opposite to the display surface 70a of the meter unit 70, and faces the front side F and the bottom side D.

[0016] The display unit 71 and the circuit board 72 are housed inside the case 73. As shown in Figure 8, a through-hole 73h is formed on the back side of the case 73. The through-hole 73h is positioned opposite the light source 31 inside the case 73. The through-hole 73h is rectangular in shape.

[0017] The light-transmitting cover 74 is made of a light-transmitting resin and seals the through-hole 73h of the case 73. The light-transmitting cover 74 transmits light L2 from the light source 31 through the first light distribution lens 33 (described later) without refraction.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the saddle-type vehicle lighting display device 30L controls the illumination of illumination area AL, and the saddle-type vehicle lighting display device 30R controls the illumination of illumination area AR. Illumination areas AL and AR are located on both sides in the X direction of the lower end of the visor 20. Each illumination area AL and AR has a shape that extends in the X direction, specifically, it has an elongated elliptical shape in the X direction. The saddle-type vehicle lighting display devices 30L and 30R are position lights that inform the outside of the presence of the vehicle 10 by illuminating illumination areas AL and AR.

[0019] The two saddle-type vehicle lighting devices 30L and 30R are configured symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry in the XZ plane that passes through the center line C of the vehicle 10 in the Y direction. The configuration of the saddle-type vehicle lighting device 30L will be described below, but the configuration of the saddle-type vehicle lighting device 30R is configured similarly.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the lighting display device 30L for a saddle-type vehicle comprises a light source 31, a collimating lens 32, a first light distribution lens 33, and a second light distribution lens 34.

[0021] The light source 31 is illuminated under the control of a control unit (not shown). The light source 31 consists of an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The light source 31 is mounted on the back surface 72a of the circuit board 72.

[0022] The collimating lens 32 parallelizes the light emitted from the light source 31. This parallelization aligns the optical axis direction of the light. The collimating lens 32 is a TIR (Total Internal Reflection) lens that focuses light using total internal reflection. By utilizing the reflection of light, the TIR lens makes it possible to efficiently use light coming from the light source 31 in a lateral direction as parallel light. The TIR lens is positioned on the back surface 72a of the circuit board 72 so as to cover the light source 31. The collimating lens 32 does not have to be a TIR lens as long as it can parallelize the light; for example, a convex lens or a condenser lens may also be used.

[0023] The first light distribution lens 33 refracts the light L1, which has been made nearly parallel by the collimating lens 32, upward U as shown in Figure 4A, and then emits light L2 which has been refracted inward I as shown in Figure 7. Inward I refers to the side approaching the vehicle's centerline C in the Y direction. The centerline C passes directly in front of the driver Dr.

[0024] As shown in Figure 11, the first light distribution lens 33 is a rectangular plate made of a translucent resin or glass and has an incident surface 33i into which light L1 is incident and an outgoing surface 33o into which light L2 is emitted.

[0025] The emission surface 33o of the first light distribution lens 33 is a prism array surface (also called a linear Fresnel surface) that functions as a light distribution lens surface that distributes light according to the illumination regions AL and AR. The emission surface 33o has a plurality of prism lenses 33a. Each prism lens 33a is approximately triangular prism-shaped, extends in the lens extension direction A, and is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the lens extension direction A.

[0026] As shown in Figure 10, the lens extension direction A is inclined with respect to the Y direction such that it moves downward D as it moves inward I, or in other words, upward U as it moves outward O. By tilting the prism lens 33a in this way, it becomes possible to refract the light L1 from the collimating lens 32 toward the inward I. The angle that the lens extension direction A makes with respect to the Y direction is set to 1° to 5°. The lens extension direction A extends parallel to the upper and lower sides of the first light distribution lens 33. Note that the lens extension direction A may be inclined toward the upper and lower sides of the first light distribution lens 33. In this case, it is not necessary to incline the first light distribution lens 33 in the Y direction.

[0027] As shown in Figure 11, the apex 33p of each prism lens 33a is located on the upper U side of the pitch P of one prism lens 33a having the apex 33p. The apex 33p forms a plane parallel to the incident surface 33i of the first light distribution lens 33. The cross-section of each prism lens 33a is approximately a right triangle. Because the apex 33p is located on the upper U side of the pitch P, it is possible to refract the light L1 from the collimating lens 32 toward the upper U side. The incident surface 33i of the first light distribution lens 33 is a plane and transmits the light L1 without refraction.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4A, the second optical distribution lens 34 is located on the optical path Lp of the light L2 from the first optical distribution lens 33, and refracts the light L2 from the first optical distribution lens 33 upward U, and emits the refracted light L3 outwards O, as shown in Figure 7.

[0029] As shown in Figures 4A and 7, the second light distribution lens 34 also functions as a cover that closes the light guide hole 55h of the front cowl 55. The second light distribution lens 34 is elliptical in shape and larger than the light guide hole 55h. As shown in Figure 5, the second light distribution lens 34 has an incident surface 34i for receiving light L2 and an outgoing surface 34o for emitting light L3. As shown in Figure 7, the second light distribution lens 34 is positioned opposite the lower end of the inner surface of the visor 20 in the X direction. The distance between the second light distribution lens 34 and the visor 20 is shorter than the distance between the first light distribution lens 33 and the second light distribution lens 34. As shown in Figure 6, the outgoing surface 34o of the second light distribution lens 34 faces upward U and outward O. The second light distribution lens 34 is positioned in a slanted orientation such that it becomes inward I as it moves towards the front side F (the side farther from the driver Dr) of the second light distribution lens 34.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4B, 5, and 6, the incident surface 34i of the second light distribution lens 34 is a prism array surface that functions as a light distribution lens surface that distributes light according to the illumination regions AL and AR. The incident surface 34i has a plurality of prism lenses 34a that refract light from the first light distribution lens 33 upward U. Each prism lens 34a is approximately triangular prism-shaped, extends in the lens extension direction B, and is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the lens extension direction B. The lens extension direction B is inclined with respect to the Y direction such that it moves upward U as it moves inward I. By inclining the prism lenses 34a in this way, it is possible to refract light L2 from the second light distribution lens 34 outward O. The angle made by the lens extension direction B with respect to the Y direction is larger than the angle made by the lens extension direction A with respect to the Y direction.

[0031] As shown in Figure 4B, the apex 34p of each prism lens 34a is located on the upper U side of the pitch P of one prism lens 34a having the apex 34p. The apex 34p forms a plane parallel to the emission surface 34o of the second light distribution lens 34. The cross-section of each prism lens 34a forms a triangle in which the upper hypotenuse U is shorter than the other hypotenuse. Because the apex 34p is located on the upper U side of the center of the pitch P, it is possible to refract the light L2 from the first light distribution lens 33 toward the upper U side. The light L3 refracted by each prism lens 34a travels forward F along the X direction.

[0032] A diffusion layer is formed on the exit surface 34o of the second light distribution lens 34 to diffuse light. This diffusion layer is made of a textured surface or the like. This diffusion layer is formed to improve the uniformity of light, which has been reduced by being refracted twice by each prism lens 33a and each prism lens 34a. The second light distribution lens 34 is provided to strongly refract light in order to illuminate the front side F, but because it is immediately diffused by the diffusion layer immediately after it, the restriction on tilt in the Y direction is less than that of the first light distribution lens 33, and it can be tilted with respect to the Y direction according to the direction in which you want to direct the light and the uniformity of the light.

[0033] Next, the operation of the saddle-type vehicle lighting display device 30L will be explained. As shown in Figure 4A, light L1 is emitted from the light source 31. As the light L1 moves toward the front side F, it moves toward the lower side D. The light L1 is parallelized by the collimating lens 32 and reaches the first light distribution lens 33. Here, we first focus on the refraction pattern of the light in the Z direction. As shown in Figure 4A, the first light distribution lens 33 emits light L2, which is light L1 refracted upwards U. The angle of light L2 with respect to the X direction is smaller than that of light L1, and the light distribution toward the front side F is stronger. The second light distribution lens 34 emits light L3, which is light L2 refracted further upwards U. The light L3 moves toward the front side F along the X direction and reaches the inner surface of the visor 20, thereby lighting up the lighting area AL. By refracting and lifting the light with two light distribution lenses 33 and 34, it becomes unnecessary to refract the light significantly with a single light distribution lens, thereby suppressing the loss of light efficiency. The refraction angle of the light in the Z direction by the first light distribution lens 33 may be smaller or larger than the refraction angle of the light in the Z direction by the second light distribution lens 34, or it may even be the same as the refraction angle of the light in the Z direction by the second light distribution lens 34.

[0034] Next, let's consider the refraction pattern of light in the Y direction. As shown in Figure 7, the first light distribution lens 33 emits light L2, which is light L1 refracted inward I. Light L2 travels inward I at the front F and reaches the second light distribution lens 34. The second light distribution lens 34 then emits light L3, which is light L2 refracted outward O. Light L3 travels inward O at the front F and reaches the inner surface of the visor 20, thereby illuminating the lighting area AL. The refraction angle of light in the Y direction by the first light distribution lens 33 is greater than the refraction angle of light in the Y direction by the second light distribution lens 34. By changing the direction of refraction in the Y direction with the first light distribution lens 33 and the second light distribution lens 34, light L3 can be incident on the inner surface of the visor 20 at a desired angle. The refraction angle of light in the Y direction by the first light distribution lens 33 may be smaller than the refraction angle of light in the Y direction by the second light distribution lens 34, or it may be the same as the refraction angle of light in the Y direction by the second light distribution lens 34. The operation of the saddle-type vehicle lighting display device 30R is the same as the operation of the saddle-type vehicle lighting display device 30L described above, and the lighting area AR lights up.

[0035] (Modifications of the First Embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, the light distribution lens surface (prism array surface) was formed on the exit surface 33o of the first light distribution lens 33, but it may also be formed on the incident surface 33i. Also, the light distribution lens surface (prism array surface) was formed on the incident surface 34i of the second light distribution lens 34, but it may also be formed on the exit surface 34o. In the first embodiment described above, the first light distribution lens 33 and the second light distribution lens 34 had prism lenses 33a and 34a, but the prism lenses 33a and / or 34a may be other lens arrays such as microlens arrays. In the case of lens arrays, the curvature may change gradually for each lens. Also, the exit surface 33o and / or the incident surface 34i may be uniform lenses such as convex lenses. In the first embodiment described above, the first and second optical distribution lenses 33 and 34 refracted light in two directions, the Y and Z directions, but they may refract light only in the Y direction or only in the Z direction. In the first embodiment described above, either the first optical distribution lens 33 or the second optical distribution lens 34 may be omitted. In this case, there may be only one optical distribution lens surface, or optical distribution lens surfaces (e.g., prism array surfaces) may be formed on both the incident and exit surfaces of one optical distribution lens. Furthermore, there may be three or more optical distribution lenses. By increasing the number of optical distribution lens surfaces, the angle of refraction of light at each optical distribution lens surface can be reduced. In the first embodiment described above, the second optical distribution lens 34 functioned as a cover to close the light guide hole 55h of the front cowl 55, but it does not have to function as a cover. In this case, the second optical distribution lens 34 may be provided instead of the light-transmitting cover 74, or it may be provided separately from the light-transmitting cover 74 inside the case 73. Furthermore, the second light distribution lens 34 may be integrally formed with the visor 20. Also, the light L2 from the light source 31 does not have to pass through the light guide hole 55h of the front cowl 55. In this case, the light L2 may pass through the area U above the front cowl 55. In the first embodiment described above, the light-transmitting cover 74 may function as either the first light distribution lens 33 or the second light distribution lens 34. This reduces the number of parts.Furthermore, the collimating lens 32 may be a convex lens or a condenser lens, as long as it can parallelize the light. In the first embodiment described above, the haze value of the diffusion layer formed on the exit surface 34o of the second light distribution lens 34 was uniform across the entire exit surface 34o, but it is not limited to this, and may be set to decrease as the F becomes closer to the front.

[0036] (Effects of the First Embodiment) The first embodiment described above provides the following effects: (1) The saddle-type vehicle lighting display devices 30L and 30R illuminate the lighting areas AL and AR, which are part of the visor 20 of a vehicle 10, which is an example of a saddle-type vehicle. The saddle-type vehicle lighting display devices 30L and 30R include a light source 31 that emits light, a collimating lens 32, which is an example of a collimating means that parallelizes the light from the light source 31, and the exit surface 33o of the first light distribution lens 33 and the incident surface 34i of the second light distribution lens 34, which are examples of light distribution lens surfaces that distribute the light that has passed through the collimating lens 32 to the lighting areas AL and AR. With this configuration, the light source 31, the collimating lens 32, and the light distribution lenses 33 and 34 can be positioned away from the visor 20 to illuminate the lighting areas AL and AR. Therefore, a light source and light guide member are not required near the visor, and the visor 20 can be illuminated with a simpler configuration. In addition, since the light from the light source 31 is distributed by the collimating lens 32 and the light distribution lenses 33 and 34 to match the illumination areas AL and AR, the illumination areas AL and AR can be illuminated as intended.

[0037] (2) The light source 31 emits light in a direction where the main ray of light is directed downward D and forward F when viewed from the driver Dr of the vehicle 10. The light distribution lenses 33 and 34 refract the light upward U with their respective light distribution lens surfaces (emitting surface 33o and incident surface 34i), causing it to travel forward F and illuminate the illuminated areas AL and AR. With this configuration, it is easy to illuminate the visor 20 with light that has passed from the light source 31 through the light distribution lenses 33 and 34.

[0038] (3) The first light distribution lens 33 has an exit surface 33o which is an example of a first light distribution lens surface, having a plurality of prism lenses 33a which are examples of a plurality of first prism lenses, each extending in the lens extension direction A and arranged in a direction intersecting the lens extension direction A, forming a triangular prism shape. The tops 33p of the plurality of prism lenses 33a are located above U as seen from the driver Dr, above the center of the pitch P of the plurality of prism lenses 33a. With this configuration, by making the tops 33p of the prism lenses 33a above U of the pitch P, the light from the light source 31 can be refracted upward U by the prism lenses 33a. Therefore, light radiated almost downward from the light source 31 can be lifted upward U.

[0039] (4) The light source 31, collimating lens 32, light distribution lenses 33, 34, and lighting areas AL, AR are positioned offset in the left-right direction (Y direction) from directly in front of the driver Dr of the vehicle 10, and are arranged in the front-rear direction (X direction) from the driver Dr. The emission surface 33o of the first light distribution lens 33, which is an example of the first light distribution lens surface, has a plurality of prism lenses 33a, which are examples of first prism lenses, that extend in the first lens extension direction A and are arranged in a direction intersecting the first lens extension direction A. The first lens extension direction A is inclined upward U as it moves outward O in the left-right direction. By inclining the prism lenses 33a in this way, it is possible to refract the light L1 from the collimating lens 32 inward I. This suppresses the leakage of light L1 from the collimating lens 32 to the outside O and waste.

[0040] (5) The incident surface 34i of the second light distribution lens 34, which is an example of a second light distribution lens surface, is located at a position to receive light that has passed through the first light distribution lens 33 and has a plurality of prism lenses 34a, which are examples of a second prism lens, arranged in a direction that intersects the second lens extension direction B while each extending in the second lens extension direction B. The second lens extension direction B is inclined downward D as it moves outward O in the left-right direction. By tilting the prism lenses 34a in this way, it is possible to refract the light L2 from the second light distribution lens 34 outward O. Therefore, the direction of the light from the light source 31 can be finely adjusted just before the lighting regions AL and AR.

[0041] (6) The vehicle 10 includes a visor 20, headlights 60, a front cowl 55 supporting the headlights 60, and a meter unit 70 for displaying vehicle information. The meter unit 70 includes a case 73 that forms the outer shape of the meter unit 70, and a circuit board 72 housed in the case 73 on which a light source 31 is mounted. The case 73 is provided with a light-transmitting cover 74 that transmits light from the light source 31 and covers a through-hole 73h, which is an example of a case through-hole formed on the rear side of the case 73 as seen from the driver Dr of the vehicle 10. The front cowl 55 has a light guide hole 55h formed therein, which is an example of a front cowl through-hole through which light from the light source 31 that has passed through the light-transmitting cover 74 passes. The portion of the front cowl 55 where the light guide hole 55h is formed is located opposite the lower part of the inner surface of the visor 20 on the driver Dr side. The saddle-type vehicle lighting display devices 30L and 30R are provided with a second light distribution lens 34. The second light distribution lens 34 is formed as a cover that closes the light guide hole 55h of the front cowl 55 from the front side F. With this configuration, the second light distribution lens 34 also functions as a cover that closes the light guide hole 55h of the front cowl 55. Therefore, the configuration of the lighting display devices 30L and 30R for saddle-type vehicles can be simplified.

[0042] (7) The lighting display devices 30L and 30R for saddle-ride type vehicles include a first light distribution lens 33 having an exit surface 33o, which is an example of a first light distribution lens surface. The first light distribution lens 33 and the collimator lens 32 are accommodated in a case 73. According to this configuration, the structure of the lighting display devices 30L, 30R for saddle-ride type vehicles can be made compact.

[0043] (Second Embodiment) A vehicle including a lighting display device for a saddle-ride type vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 12. In this embodiment, a part of the visor functions as the second light distribution lens of the first embodiment described above. The following description focuses on the differences from the first embodiment described above.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 12, the lighting display device 130 for a saddle-ride type vehicle includes a light source 31, a collimator lens 132, a first light distribution lens 133, a lens array surface 21 formed on an inner surface 20i of the visor 20, and a diffusion surface 22 formed on an outer surface 20o of the visor 20.

[0045] The collimator lens 132 has a convex lens surface that collimates the light L1 from the light source 31. In this example, both the incident surface and the exit surface of the collimator lens 132 are convex lens surfaces. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and either one of the incident surface and the exit surface of the collimator lens 132 may be a convex lens surface. In addition, the collimator lens 132 may be a condenser lens as long as it can collimate light.

[0046] The first light distribution lens 133 strongly distributes the light L1 that has passed through the collimating lens 132 toward the front side F. That is, the first light distribution lens 133 refracts the light L1 that has passed through the collimating lens 132 toward the upper side U. The first light distribution lens 133 has a concave lens surface that spreads light. In this example, both the incident surface and the exit surface of the first light distribution lens 133 are concave lens surfaces. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and either one of the incident surface and the exit surface of the first light distribution lens 133 may be a concave lens surface. Further, the first light distribution lens 133 may have a Fresnel lens surface obtained by Fresnel-processing a concave lens surface. Furthermore, the light distribution lens surface (concave lens surface or Fresnel lens surface) of the first light distribution lens 133 and the collimating lens surface (convex lens surface) of the collimating lens 132 may be formed as an integrated lens on the incident surface and the exit surface of the integrated lens. The first light distribution lens 133 is formed as a light-transmitting cover that closes the through hole 73h of the case 73.

[0047] The lens array surface 21 is a prism array including a plurality of prism lenses, similarly to the first embodiment described above. Similarly to the incident surface 34i of the first embodiment described above, the lens array surface 21 strongly distributes the light L2 that has passed through the first light distribution lens 133 toward the front side F. That is, the lens array surface 21 refracts the light L2 that has passed through the first light distribution lens 133 toward the upper side U.

[0048] The diffusion surface 22 diffuses the light transmitted through the interior of the visor 20. The diffusion surface 22 is constituted by texture or the like. The haze value of the diffusion surface 22 decreases toward the front side F. Note that the haze value of the diffusion surface 22 may be constant over the entire area of the diffusion surface 22.

[0049] (Modification of Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment described above, the lens array surface 21 is integrally formed with the visor 20 on the inner surface 20i of the visor 20. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a lens having the lens array surface 21 may be bonded to the inner surface 20i of the visor 20. Similarly for the diffusion surface 22, a diffusion plate having the diffusion surface 22 may be bonded to the outer surface 20o of the visor 20.

[0050] (Effects of the Second Embodiment) The second embodiment described above provides the following effects: (1) The lighting display device 130 mounted on the vehicle 10 lights up the lighting areas AL and AR, which are part of the visor 20 of the vehicle 10, which is an example of a saddle-type vehicle. The lighting display device 130 comprises a visor 20 which is a windshield, a light source 31 located on the inner surface 20i side of the visor 20 which emits light L1, which is an example of illumination light, a collimating lens 132 which has a convex lens surface that parallelizes the light L1, and a first light distribution lens 133 which distributes the parallelized light L1 to the inner surface 20i of the visor 20. The visor 20 has a lens array surface 21 that distributes light according to the lighting areas AL and AR on the inner surface 20i into which the light L2 distributed by the first light distribution lens 133 enters, and a diffusion surface 22 is formed on the outer surface 20o to which the light L2 that has passed through the lens array surface 21 reaches. This configuration allows for optimal adjustment of the light distribution to the illuminated areas AL and AR while using the visor 20.

[0051] (2) The first light distribution lens 133 has a concave lens surface. With this configuration, the first light distribution lens 133 can spread the light L1 from the light source 31, making it possible to distribute light over a wide area with a small light source 31.

[0052] (3) The first light distribution lens 133 is a Fresnel lens in which the concave lens surface is Fresnel-shaped. With this configuration, the thickness of the first light distribution lens 133 can be reduced, thus enabling miniaturization.

[0053] (4) The first light distribution lens 133 strongly distributes the light L1 towards the front F of the vehicle 10. With this configuration, the illumination indicators of the illumination areas AL and AR are easily visible from the front F of the vehicle 10, which is the main viewpoint of the position light.

[0054] (5) The first light distribution lens 133 is formed as a lens integrated with the convex lens surface of the collimating lens 132. This configuration reduces the number of lenses and results in a simpler structure.

[0055] (6) A prism array is formed on the lens array surface 21. This prism array refracts the incident light L2 toward the front F of the vehicle 10. With this configuration, the illumination indicators of the illumination areas AL and AR are easily visible from the front F of the vehicle 10, which is the main viewpoint of the position light. By refracting and lifting the light in two stages, using the first light distribution lens 133 and the lens array surface 21, it is no longer necessary to refract the light significantly with a single light distribution lens, thereby suppressing the loss of light efficiency.

[0056] (7) A textured surface is formed on the diffusion surface 22, and the haze value of the diffusion surface 22 is set to be smaller towards the front F of the vehicle 10. With this configuration, the brightness of the front F of the diffusion surface 22 can be increased in the illumination display of the illumination areas AL and AR.

[0057] (8) The lighting display system comprises two lighting display devices 130, one on each side of the visor 20 in the Y direction. The light source 31 of each lighting display device 130 is located on the inner surface 20i side of the visor 20, not in the center in the Y direction and closer to the outer side O, and illuminates one of the sides of the visor 20 in the Y direction. With this configuration, the two light sources 31 make it possible to illuminate the lighting areas AL and AR on both the left and right sides of the visor 20.

[0058] (9) The indicator light 130 is a position light. With this configuration, the indicator light 130 can be applied to a position light.

[0059] (10) The vehicle 10 is equipped with a meter unit 70 that displays vehicle information. The meter unit 70 comprises a case 73, a display unit 71, and a circuit board 72. The light source 31 is housed inside the case 73. This configuration allows the lighting display device 130 to be made more compact.

[0060] (11) The light source 31 is mounted on the circuit board 72. This configuration allows the lighting display device 130 to be made more compact.

[0061] (12) The first light distribution lens 133 is formed as a light-transmitting cover that closes the through hole 73h of the case 73. With this configuration, the lighting display device 130 can be made more compact. In addition, the lighting display device 130 is suitable for saddle-type vehicles such as motorcycles.

[0062] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and drawings described above. Modifications (including the deletion of components) can be made as appropriate, provided they do not alter the essence of this disclosure. An example of such a modification is described below.

[0063] (Overall Modifications) In each of the above embodiments, the light source 31, the first light distribution lenses 33, 133, and the collimating lenses 32, 132 were located inside the case 73. However, one or more of the light source 31, the first light distribution lenses 33, 133, and the collimating lenses 32, 132 may be located outside the case 73. For example, the light source 31 may be inside the case 73, while the first light distribution lenses 33, 133 and the collimating lenses 32, 132 may be located outside the case 73. Alternatively, the light source 31 and the collimating lenses 32, 132 may be inside the case 73, while the first light distribution lenses 33, 133 are located outside the case 73. Furthermore, all of the light source 31, the first light distribution lenses 33, 133, and the collimating lenses 32, 132 may be located outside the case 73.

[0064] In the embodiments described above, the illuminated areas AL and AR were inconspicuous in shape on the outer surface 20o of the visor 20. However, the visor 20 is not limited to this, and the shape of the illuminated areas AL and AR may be made different from the shape of the other areas to make them more noticeable. For example, the area of ​​the outer surface 20o of the visor 20 corresponding to the illuminated areas AL and AR may be made to bulge out.

[0065] In each of the above embodiments, the shape of the illuminated areas AL and AR is not limited to an ellipse, but may be tapered towards the front F farther from the light source 31, may be of a constant width, or may be widened towards the tip farther from the light source 31.

[0066] In each of the above embodiments, the saddle-type vehicle lighting display devices 30L, 30R, and 130 were position lights, but they may also be turn lights or warning lights. In each of the above embodiments, either the saddle-type vehicle lighting display device 30L or 30R may be omitted. In this case, the saddle-type vehicle lighting display device may have an illuminated area in the center of the visor 20.

[0067] In each of the above embodiments, the light source 31 was mounted on the circuit board 72, but it does not have to be mounted on the circuit board 72 as long as it is inside the case 73. Also, the light source 31 may be outside the case 73. In each of the above embodiments, the meter unit 70 may be a needle-type instrument. In each of the above embodiments, the vehicle 10 is not limited to a motorcycle, but may be a trike or the like, as long as it is a saddle-type vehicle. The first and second embodiments may be combined. For example, in the first embodiment, a diffusion layer may be formed on the outer surface of the visor 20.

[0068] Vehicle 10 is not limited to motorcycles, as long as it is a saddle-type vehicle. A saddle-type vehicle is a vehicle that a rider straddles and rides on. A saddle-type vehicle may be any other type of motorcycle, such as an on-road type, off-road type, scooter type, or moped type, or it may be a vehicle other than a motorcycle, such as a tricycle (trike), four-wheel buggy (ATV: All Terrain Vehicle), jet ski, or snowmobile.

[0069] The above embodiment discloses, for example, the technical ideas described in the following appendix. (Appendix 1) A lighting device for a saddle-type vehicle that lights up a lighting area which is part of the visor of the saddle-type vehicle, comprising: a light source that emits light; a collimating means that parallelizes the light from the light source; and one or more light-distributing lens surfaces that distribute the light that has passed through the collimating means to match the lighting area.

[0070] (Note 2) The light source emits light downward and forward as viewed from the driver of the saddle-type vehicle, and the plurality of light distribution lens surfaces each refract the light upward as viewed from the driver, thereby causing the light to travel forward and illuminate the illuminated area, as described in Note 1.

[0071] (Note 3) The first light distribution lens surface among the plurality of light distribution lens surfaces has a plurality of first prism lenses that extend in the lens extension direction and are arranged in a direction intersecting the lens extension direction, forming a triangular prism shape, and the tops of the plurality of first prism lenses are located above the center of the pitch of the plurality of first prism lenses as seen from the driver, as seen from the driver. The lighting display device for a saddle-type vehicle as described in Note 1 or 2.

[0072] (Note 4) The light source, the collimating means, the one or more light distribution lens surfaces, and the lighting area are provided at positions offset to the left and right from directly in front as seen from the driver of the saddle-type vehicle, and are arranged in the front-to-back direction as seen from the driver, and the first light distribution lens surface among the plurality of light distribution lens surfaces has a plurality of first prism lenses that extend in the first lens extension direction and are arranged in a direction intersecting the first lens extension direction, and the first lens extension direction is inclined upward as it moves outward in the left-to-right direction, the lighting display device for a saddle-type vehicle as described in any one of Notes 1 to 3.

[0073] (Note 5) The lighting display device for a saddle-type vehicle as described in any one of Notes 1 to 4, wherein the second light-distributing lens surface among the plurality of light-distributing lens surfaces is provided at a position that receives the light that has passed through the first light-distributing lens surface, and has a plurality of second prism lenses that extend in the direction of the second lens extension and are arranged in a direction that intersects the direction of the second lens extension, and the direction of the second lens extension is inclined downward as it moves outward in the left-right direction.

[0074] (Note 6) The saddle-type vehicle comprises a visor, a headlight, a front cowl supporting the headlight, and a meter unit for displaying vehicle information, the meter unit comprises a case forming the outer shape of the meter unit, and a circuit board housed in the case on which the light source is mounted, the case comprises a light-transmitting cover that transmits the light from the light source and closes a case through-hole formed on the rear side of the case as seen from the driver of the saddle-type vehicle, the front cowl has a front cowl through-hole through which the light from the light source that has passed through the light-transmitting cover passes, and the lighting display device for the saddle-type vehicle comprises a light-distributing lens having at least one of the plurality of light-distributing lens surfaces, which distributes the light from the light source to match the lighting area, and which is formed as a cover that closes the front cowl through-hole from the visor side, the lighting display device for the saddle-type vehicle according to any one of Notes 1 to 5.

[0075] (Note 7) The lighting device for a saddle-type vehicle according to any one of Notes 1 to 6, wherein the lighting device for a saddle-type vehicle comprises a light-distributing lens having the light-distributing lens surface, and the light source, the light-distributing lens and the collimating means are housed in the case.

[0076] 10...Vehicle 20...Visor, 20i...Inner surface, 20o...Outer surface, 21...Lens array surface, 22...Diffusion surface 30L, 30R, 130...Lighting display device for saddle-type vehicles, 31...Light source, 32, 132...Collimating lens, 33, 133...First light distribution lens, 34...Second light distribution lens, 33a, 34a...Prism lens, 33i, 34i...Incident surface, 33o, 34o...Output surface, 33p, 34p...Top 50...Garnish 55...Front cowl, 55h...Light guide hole 60...Headlight 70...Meter unit, 70a...Display surface, 71...Display unit 72...Circuit board, 72a...Back surface 73...Case, 73h...Through hole, 74...Light-transmitting cover A, B... Lens extension direction, C... Center line, U... Upper side, D... Lower side, F... Front side, I... Inner side, O... Outer side, L1, L2, L3... Light, P... Pitch, AL, AR... Illumination area, Dr... Driver, Lp... Optical path

Claims

1. A lighting device for a saddle-type vehicle that illuminates a lighting area which is part of the visor of the saddle-type vehicle, comprising: a light source that emits light; a collimating means that parallelizes the light from the light source; and one or more light-distributing lens surfaces that distribute the light that has passed through the collimating means to match the lighting area.

2. The lighting device for a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the light source emits light downward and forward as viewed from the driver of the saddle-type vehicle, and the plurality of light distribution lens surfaces each refract the light upward as viewed from the driver, thereby causing the light to travel forward and illuminate the lighting area.

3. The first light-distributing lens surface among the plurality of light-distributing lens surfaces has a plurality of first prism lenses that are arranged in a direction intersecting the lens extension direction while each extending in the lens extension direction, forming a triangular prism shape, and the tops of the plurality of first prism lenses are located above the center of the pitch of the plurality of first prism lenses, according to claim 2.

4. The light source, the collimating means, the one or more light distribution lens surfaces, and the illumination area are provided at positions offset to the left and right from directly in front as seen from the driver of the saddle-type vehicle, and are arranged in the front-to-back direction as seen from the driver, and the first light distribution lens surface among the plurality of light distribution lens surfaces has a plurality of first prism lenses that extend in the first lens extension direction and are arranged in a direction intersecting the first lens extension direction, and the first lens extension direction is inclined upward as it moves outward in the left-to-right direction, as described in claim 1.

5. The lighting display device for a saddle-type vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the second light-distributing lens surface among the plurality of light-distributing lens surfaces is provided at a position to receive the light that has passed through the first light-distributing lens surface, and has a plurality of second prism lenses that extend in the direction of extension of the second lens and are arranged in a direction intersecting the direction of extension of the second lens, and the direction of extension of the second lens is inclined downward as it moves outward in the left-right direction.

6. The saddle-type vehicle comprises a visor, a headlight, a front cowl supporting the headlight, and a meter unit for displaying vehicle information, wherein the meter unit comprises a case forming the outer shape of the meter unit, and a circuit board housed in the case on which the light source is mounted, wherein the case comprises a light-transmitting cover that transmits the light from the light source and closes a case through-hole formed on the rear side of the case as seen from the driver of the saddle-type vehicle, the front cowl has a front cowl through-hole through which the light from the light source that has passed through the light-transmitting cover passes, and the lighting display device for the saddle-type vehicle comprises a light-distributing lens having at least one of the plurality of light-distributing lens surfaces, which distributes the light from the light source to match the lighting area, and which is formed as a cover that closes the front cowl through-hole from the visor side, according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The lighting device for a saddle-type vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lighting device for a saddle-type vehicle comprises a light-distributing lens having the light-distributing lens surface, and the light source, the light-distributing lens and the collimating means are housed in the case.

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