Patent Publication Number: US-2017371235-A1

Title: Vehicle illumination device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a vehicle illumination device that emits light. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     The specification of Chinese Utility Model Application No. 202382141 describes a graphic projection lamp in which an LED light source and a lens emit light to project an image from a graphic film. 
     In such a graphic projection lamp, it is preferable for a projection position of the image to be alterable, and moreover, it is preferable for the orientation of the projected image to be alterable. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle illumination device capable of altering a light illumination position, and a vehicle illumination device capable of altering the orientation of a projected image. 
     Solution to Problem 
     A vehicle illumination device of a first aspect of the present invention includes an illumination mechanism and a rotation means. The illumination mechanism is provided at a vehicle and is configured to emit light toward an outer side of the vehicle. The rotation means is operable to rotate the illumination mechanism, and is configured such that an illumination direction of light from the illumination mechanism is inclined with respect to a rotation axis of the illumination mechanism. 
     A vehicle illumination device of a second aspect of the present invention includes an illumination mechanism, an image member, and a rotation means. The illumination mechanism is provided at a vehicle and is configured to emit light. An image is provided at the image member, the image being projected toward an outer side of the vehicle by emission of light by the illumination mechanism. The rotation means is operable to rotate the image member. 
     A vehicle illumination device of a third aspect of the present invention is the vehicle illumination device of the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the rotation means is configured to be operated manually. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     In the vehicle illumination device of the first aspect of the present invention, the illumination mechanism provided at the vehicle is configured to emit light toward the outer side of the vehicle. The rotation means is operable to rotate the illumination mechanism. 
     The illumination direction of light from the illumination mechanism is inclined with respect to the rotation axis of the illumination mechanism. Thus, by rotating the illumination mechanism, the illumination direction of light from the illumination mechanism is altered, enabling the illumination position of light from the illumination mechanism to be altered. 
     In the vehicle illumination device of the second aspect of the present invention, the illumination mechanism provided at the vehicle emits light to project the image provided at the image member toward the outer side of the vehicle. 
     The rotation means is operable to rotate the image member. This enables the orientation of the image projected toward the outer side of the vehicle to be altered. 
     In the vehicle illumination device of the third aspect of the present invention, the rotation means is configured to be operated manually. This enables a simple configuration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a face-on view illustrating a vehicle door mirror device of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the vehicle rear. 
         FIG. 2  is a face-on view illustrating a vehicle projection device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the vehicle rear. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view illustrating the vehicle projection device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the vehicle projection device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed diagonally from the rear right of the vehicle. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-section (cross-section taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3 ) illustrating the vehicle projection device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the vehicle rear. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating relevant portions of the vehicle projection device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed diagonally from the rear right of the vehicle. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-section (cross-section taken at the position of line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3 ) illustrating a vehicle projection device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the vehicle rear. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-section (cross-section taken at the position of line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3 ) illustrating a vehicle projection device according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the vehicle rear. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating the interior of the vehicle projection device according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed diagonally from the rear right of the vehicle. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating relevant portions of the vehicle projection device according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed diagonally from the rear right of the vehicle. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     First Exemplary Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a face-on view illustrating a vehicle door mirror device  12  serving as an installation body installed with a vehicle projection device  10 , serving as a vehicle illumination device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the vehicle rear. Note that in the drawings, the arrow FR indicates the vehicle front, the arrow OUT indicates the vehicle width direction outside (vehicle right), and the arrow UP indicates upwards. 
     The vehicle door mirror device  12  of the present exemplary embodiment is provided at a vehicle outside of an up-down direction intermediate portion and vehicle front side end of a side door (specifically, a front side door), serving as a vehicle door. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the vehicle door mirror device  12  includes a stay  14 , serving as a fixing member. A vehicle width direction inside end of the stay  14  is fixed to the side door (vehicle body side), thereby fixing the vehicle door mirror device  12  to the side door. A support shaft  14 A is provided at a vehicle width direction outside portion of the stay  14 , and the axial direction of the support shaft  14 A is disposed parallel to the up-down direction. 
     A substantially rectangular container-shaped visor  16 , serving as an installation member, is supported by the support shaft  14 A. The visor  16  is disposed at the vehicle width direction outside of the stay  14 . The visor  16  can pivot in the vehicle front-rear direction about the support shaft  14 A, and a pivot position of the visor  16  is adjustable. A substantially rectangular shaped opening  18  is formed penetrating a vehicle rear-side wall of the visor  16 , and the opening  18  is open toward the vehicle rear side at the inside of the visor  16 . A substantially rectangular shaped through hole  20  is formed penetrating a lower wall of the visor  16 , and the through hole  20  is open toward the lower side at the inside of the visor  16 . 
     An attachment mechanism (not illustrated in the drawings) is fixed to the inside of the visor  16 , and a substantially rectangular plate shaped mirror  22 , serving as a visual recognition means, is attached to the attachment mechanism. The mirror  22  is disposed inside the visor  16  in the vicinity of the opening  18 . The mirror  22  substantially closes off the opening  18 . A mirror surface  22 A of the mirror  22  faces toward the vehicle rear side, such that the mirror  22  enables visual recognition rearward of the vehicle by an occupant of the vehicle (in particular, the driver), thus assisting the occupant with visual recognition. Further, the mirror  22  can be detached from the attachment mechanism. When the mirror  22  has been detached from the attachment mechanism, the inside of the visor  16  is open to the vehicle rear side through the opening  18 . 
     The vehicle projection device  10  is housed inside the visor  16 , at an upper side of the through hole  20 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 6 , in the vehicle projection device  10 , a substantially rectangular container-shaped housing  24  serving as a support body (exterior member) is provided at the vehicle projection device  10 , and a lower face of the housing  24  is configured with an opening. The housing  24  is fixed inside the visor  16 , thereby installing the vehicle projection device  10  inside the visor  16 . 
     A rectangular plate shaped outer lens  26 , serving as an exposure member, is fixed to a lower side of the housing  24 , and the outer lens  26  closes off the opening in the lower face of the housing  24 . The outer lens  26  is disposed inside the through hole  20  of the visor  16 , such that the outer lens  26  closes off the through hole  20 . A circular shaped support recess  28  is formed coaxially to an upper face of the outer lens  26 , and the support recess  28  is open to the upper side. 
     A substantially circular columnar box-shaped case  30  serving as a housing body (interior member) is housed inside the housing  24 , and light cannot pass through the case  30 . A lower end of the case  30  is housed in the support recess  28 . The case  30  is rotatably supported by the support recess  28 , with a rotation axis O disposed parallel to the up-down direction. A space inside of the case  30  is configured with a substantially inverted circular frustum-shape. An axial center line L inside the case  30  is inclined with respect to (crosses) the rotation axis O of the case  30 . A circular shaped exposure hole  32  is formed penetrating a lower wall (bottom wall) of the case  30 . The exposure hole  32  is disposed coaxial to the inside of the case  30 . 
     A projection mechanism  34 , serving as an illumination mechanism, is provided inside the case  30 . 
     A rectangular plate shaped circuit board  36 , serving as a supply body, is provided at the projection mechanism  34 , and the circuit board  36  is fixed to an upper end portion inside the case  30  and is electrically connected to a power source (not illustrated in the drawings). 
     An LED  38 , serving as a light source, is fixed to a lower face of the circuit board  36 . The LED  38  is electrically connected to the circuit board  36 . The LED  38  is housed inside the upper end portion of the case  30 , and the LED  38  is disposed on the axial center line L of the case  30 . 
     Inside the case  30 , a collimator lens  40  that has a substantially H-shaped cross-section profile and that serves as a first lens is housed coaxially to and at a lower side of the circuit board  36 . The collimator lens  40  is fixed inside the case  30 . 
     Inside the case  30 , a first image-forming lens  42  that has a substantially U-shaped cross-section profile and that serves as a second lens is housed coaxially to and at a lower side of the collimator lens  40 . The first image-forming lens  42  is fixed inside the case  30 . 
     Inside the case  30 , a second image-forming lens  44  that has a substantially T-shaped cross-section profile and that serves as a third lens is housed coaxially to and at a lower side of the first image-forming lens  42 . The second image-forming lens  44  is fixed inside the case  30 . A protrusion portion  44 A that has a substantially circular columnar shape is coaxially formed to the second image-forming lens  44 . The protrusion portion  44 A protrudes out toward the lower side and is fitted into the exposure hole  32  of the case  30 . 
     Inside the case  30 , a graphic film  46  in the shape of a circular sheet and serving as an image member is housed between the collimator lens  40  and the first image-forming lens  42 . The graphic film  46  is fixed inside the case  30 . A graphic  46 A, such as a symbol (see  FIG. 10 ), that serves as an image is provided at a central-side portion of the graphic film  46 . Light is capable of passing through the graphic film  46 . 
     A rotation gear  30 A is formed around an up-down direction intermediate portion of an outer peripheral face of the case  30 , and the rotation gear  30 A is disposed coaxially to the rotation axis O of the case  30 . 
     Dials  48  each having a substantially circular disk shape and serving as a rotation means (manual operation member) are disposed on the vehicle right side and the vehicle left side of the rotation gear  30 A. Each dial  48  penetrates through a side wall of the housing  24  and is rotatably supported by the housing  24 . A manual operation gear  48 A is formed around the outer periphery of each dial  48 , and the manual operation gears  48 A are meshed together with the rotation gear  30 A. 
     Explanation follows regarding operation of the present exemplary embodiment. 
     In the vehicle projection device  10  of the vehicle door mirror device  12  configured as described above, electric power from the power source is supplied to the LED  38  through the circuit board  36 , and the LED  38  radiates light toward the lower side such that the light passes through (travels through) the collimator lens  40 , the graphic film  46 , the first image-forming lens  42 , the second image-forming lens  44  (the exposure hole  32  in the case  30 ), and the outer lens  26  (the through hole  20  in the visor  16 ). The graphic  46 A of the graphic film  46  is projected (beamed) onto the ground at the outer side of the vehicle (the light is emitted onto the ground at the outer side of the vehicle). 
     The projection direction of the graphic  46 A (an optical axis of the projection mechanism  34 , the axial center line L inside the case  30 , and the light illumination direction (an axial center line of an emitted area)) from the projection mechanism  34  of the case  30  is inclined with respect to the rotation axis O of the case  30  (axial center line of the rotation gear  30 A). 
     Further, when the mirror  22  has been detached from the attachment mechanism on the inside of the visor  16  and the inside of the visor  16  is open to the vehicle rear side through the opening  18 , the dials  48  of the vehicle projection device  10  are exposed to the vehicle rear side through the opening  18 . 
     Accordingly, by manually rotating the dials  48  (manual operation gears  48 A), the case  30  (rotation gear  30 A) is rotated to rotate the projection mechanism  34  about the rotation axis O. This enables the projection direction of the graphic  46 A from the projection mechanism  34  to be altered, and enables the peripheral direction position of the graphic film  46  to be altered. This enables the projection position (light illumination position) of the graphic  46 A from the projection mechanism  34  to be altered, thereby enabling the orientation of the graphic  46 A projected onto the ground at the outer side of the vehicle to be altered even in cases in which, for example, the pivot position of the visor  16  has been altered. 
     Moreover, the projection direction of the graphic  46 A from the projection mechanism  34  can be altered without swinging the case  30 . This enables the need to provide a space in which to swing the case  30  to be eliminated, enabling space to be saved. 
     Further, as described above, by manually rotating the dials  48 , the case  30  is rotated such that the projection direction of the graphic  46 A from the projection mechanism  34  and the peripheral direction position of the graphic film  46  are altered. This enables the projection direction of the graphic  46 A from the projection mechanism  34  and the peripheral direction position of the graphic film  46  to be altered using a simple configuration. 
     Note that in the present exemplary embodiment, the graphic film  46  is provided inside the case  30 . However, the graphic film  46  need not be provided inside the case  30 . 
     Second Exemplary Embodiment 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-section (cross-section taken at the position of line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3 ) of a vehicle projection device  60  serving as a vehicle illumination device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the vehicle rear. 
     The vehicle projection device  60  according to the present exemplary embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the first exemplary embodiment described above but differs in the following points. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , in the vehicle projection device  60  according to the present exemplary embodiment, the axial center line L inside the case  30  is aligned (is configured parallel) with the rotation axis O of the case  30 , and the projection direction of the graphic  46 A from the projection mechanism  34  of the case  30  is configured so as to be aligned (to be parallel) with the rotation axis O of the case  30 . 
     Similarly to the first exemplary embodiment described above, when the mirror  22  has been detached from the attachment mechanism inside the visor  16  and the interior of the visor  16  is open to the vehicle rear side through the opening  18 , the dials  48  of the vehicle projection device  60  are exposed to the vehicle rear side through the opening  18 . 
     Accordingly, by manually rotating the dials  48  (manual operation gears  48 A), the case  30  (rotation gear  30 A) is rotated to rotate the projection mechanism  34  about the rotation axis O. This enables the peripheral direction position of the graphic film  46  to be altered, thereby enabling the orientation of the graphic  46 A projected onto the ground at the outer side of the vehicle to be altered even in cases in which, for example, the rotation position of the visor  16  has been altered. 
     As described above, by manually rotating the dials  48 , the case  30  is rotated such that the peripheral direction position of the graphic film  46  is altered. This enables the peripheral direction position of the graphic film  46  to be altered with a simple configuration. 
     Third Exemplary Embodiment 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-section (cross-section taken at the position of line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3 ) of a vehicle projection device  70  serving as a vehicle illumination device according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the vehicle rear.  FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the interior of the vehicle projection device  70 , as viewed diagonally from the rear right of the vehicle. 
     The vehicle projection device  70  according to the present exemplary embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the second exemplary embodiment described above but differs in the following points. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , in the vehicle projection device  70  according to the present exemplary embodiment, the case  30  is fixed inside the housing  24 . The case  30  is divided into an upper case  30 B at an upper side of the graphic film  46 , and a lower case  30 C at a lower side of the graphic film  46 . An outer peripheral face of the upper case  30 B and an outer peripheral face of the lower case  30 C are disposed coaxially to each other and are coupled together by a predetermined number (two in the present exemplary embodiment) of coupling plates  72 . 
     An outer periphery of the graphic film  46  is coaxially fixed to a circular ring shaped rotation gear  74  (see  FIG. 10 ). The rotation gear  74  is supported between the upper case  30 B and the lower case  30 C so as to be coaxially rotatable therebetween, and the rotation gear  74  is meshed together with the manual operation gears  48 A of the dials  48 . 
     Similarly to in the first exemplary embodiment described above, when the mirror  22  has been detached from the attachment mechanism inside the visor  16  and the inside of the visor  16  is open to the vehicle rear side through the opening  18 , the dials  48  of the vehicle projection device  70  are exposed to the vehicle rear side through the opening  18 . 
     Thus, the dials  48  (manual operation gears  48 A) are manually rotated to rotate the rotation gear  74 , such that the graphic film  46  is rotated about an axial center line. This enables the peripheral direction position of the graphic film  46  to be altered, thereby enabling the orientation of the graphic  46 A projected onto the ground at the outer side of the vehicle to be altered even in cases in which, for example, the pivot position of the visor  16  has been altered. 
     As described above, by manually rotating the dials  48 , the rotation gear  74  is rotated such that the peripheral direction position of the graphic film  46  is altered. This enables the peripheral direction position of the graphic film  46  to be altered with a simple configuration. 
     Note that in the first exemplary embodiment to the third exemplary embodiment described above, plural of the dials  48  (manual operation gears  48 A) are provided. However, a single dial  48  (manual operation gear  48 A) may be provided. 
     Moreover, in the first exemplary embodiment to the third exemplary embodiment described above, the dials  48  (manual operation gears  48 A) are meshed together with the rotation gear  30 A,  74 . However, the dials  48  (manual operation gears  48 A) may be configured so as to mesh together (coupled) with the rotation gear  30 A,  74  through a predetermined number of intermediate gears. 
     In the first exemplary embodiment to the third exemplary embodiment described above, the dials  48  are manually rotated, causing the case  30  or the graphic film  46  to rotate. However, the case  30  or the graphic film  46  may be rotated electrically (such as by a motor). Further, the case  30  or the graphic film  46  may be rotated in conjunction with swinging (such as stowing) operation of the visor  16  (including the mirror  22 ). 
     Moreover, in the first exemplary embodiment to the third exemplary embodiment described above, the vehicle projection device  10 ,  60 ,  70  is installed in the vehicle door mirror device  12 . However, it is sufficient that the vehicle projection device  10 ,  60 ,  70  be capable of projecting the graphic  46 A toward the outer side of the vehicle (be capable of emitting light toward the outer side of the vehicle). For example, the vehicle projection device  10 ,  60 ,  70  may be installed to a door (including a door handle) of the vehicle. The vehicle projection device  10 ,  60 ,  70  may even be installed to a location on the vehicle cabin side of a door, as long as the vehicle projection device  10 ,  60 ,  70  is capable of projecting the graphic  46 A toward the outer side of the vehicle when the door has been opened. 
     The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-8819, filed on Jan. 20, 2015, is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
     EXPLANATION OF THE REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           10  vehicle projection device (vehicle illumination device) 
           34  projection mechanism (illumination mechanism) 
           46  graphic film (image member) 
           46 A graphic (image) 
           48  dial (rotation means) 
           60  vehicle projection device (vehicle illumination device) 
           70  vehicle projection device (vehicle illumination device)