Patent Description:
As a power supply for an automotive lamp, instead of conventional light bulbs (bulbs) such as incandescent light bulbs or the like, the use of semiconductor light sources such as light-emitting diodes, semiconductor lasers, etc., has been advancing. As compared with light bulbs, such semiconductor light sources have many advantages such as greater variation of design provided by various kinds of combinations with light guiding members, power saving, and so forth.

In particular, in recent years, in addition to functions necessary for driving an automobile, such automotive lamps are required to have an additional function of providing improved added value of an automobile, such as a welcome lamp.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation. Accordingly, it is an exemplary purpose of an embodiment of the present invention to provide an automotive lamp that is capable of switching the color of light to be emitted, and of controlling the size and position of the light-emitting portion thereof.

An embodiment of the present invention relates to an automotive lamp as defined in accordance with the characterizing part of claim <NUM>. Further details of the automotive lamp according to the invention are defined in the dependent claims. The automotive lamp includes: a light guide unit; multiple first light-emitting units arranged along a first end face of the light guide unit, and each including a first light source structured to emit light in a first color and a second light source structured to emit light in a second color that differs from the first color; and a controller structured to control the multiple first light-emitting units.

With an embodiment of the present invention, this is capable of switching the color of light to be emitted, and of controlling the position and size of the light-emitting portion.

Description will be made regarding an outline of several example embodiments of the present invention. In this outline, some concepts of one or more embodiments will be described in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later in order to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. Accordingly, the outline is by no means intended to restrict the scope of the present invention or the present invention. Furthermore, this outline is not an extensive overview of all conceivable embodiments, and is by no means intended to restrict essential elements of the embodiments. In some cases, for convenience, the term "one embodiment" may be used herein to refer to a single embodiment (example or modification) or multiple embodiments (examples or modifications) disclosed in the present specification.

An automotive lamp according to an embodiment includes: a light guide unit; multiple first light-emitting units arranged along a first end face of the light guide unit, and each including a first light source structured to emit light in a first color and a second light source structured to emit light in a second color that differs from the first color; and a controller structured to control the multiple first light-emitting units.

With such an arrangement, this is capable of switching the color of light to be emitted. Also, this is capable of controlling the size and the position of a light-emitting portion of the guide light unit.

In an embodiment, the automotive lamp may further include multiple second light-emitting units arranged along a second end face of the light guide unit on a side opposite to the first end face thereof, and each including a third light source structure to emit light in the first color and a fourth light source structured to emit in the second color. This allows unevenness in luminance to be reduced in the light-guiding direction. Furthermore, this allows the position and the size of the light-emitting portion to be controlled in the light-guiding direction.

With an embodiment, the light guide unit may include multiple light guide members that correspond to the multiple first light-emitting units and the multiple second light-emitting units, and that are each structured to extend from a corresponding one from among the multiple first light-emitting units toward a corresponding one from among the multiple second light-emitting units. This allows the light to be confined in a corresponding light guide unit for each pair of the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit. This allows the boundary to be clearly defined between the light-emitting portions defined for each light-emitting unit pair.

In an embodiment, multiple discrete steps may be formed in the multiple light guide members along a direction of extension thereof. This allows the multiple light-emitting portions to be arranged in a matrix.

In an embodiment, the light guide unit may be structured as a single light guide panel. Also, a collimating optical system may be provided to or formed on the first end face of the light guide panel for each of the first light-emitting units. Also, a collimating optical system may be provided to or formed on the second end face of the light guide panel for each of the second light-emitting units.

In an embodiment, multiple discrete steps may be formed in the light guide panel in the light wave-guiding direction. Furthermore, the multiple steps may be formed in a discrete manner in a direction in which the multiple first light-emitting units are arrayed.

In an embodiment, the controller controls an operation such that (i) the first light sources included in the multiple first light-emitting units turned on, and the third light sources included in the multiple second light-emitting units are turned on, (ii) luminance of the first light sources included in the multiple light-emitting units is gradually reduced with time, and at the same time, luminance of the second light sources is gradually increased with time, and (iii) luminance of the third light sources included in the multiple second light-emitting units is gradually reduced with time, and at the same time, luminance of the fourth light sources is gradually increased with time.

With this, in a case in which the first-color light-emitting state is to be switched to the second-color light-emitting state, this arrangement is capable of changing the light-emitting state with time along the light wave-guiding direction.

According to the invention, the second color is turquoise. With this, the automotive lamp can be employed as a lamp that indicates that the vehicle is traveling in an autonomous driving mode.

In an embodiment, the first color may be white. With this, the automotive lamp can be employed as a Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) or a position lamp (clearance lamp). Also, the automotive lamp can be employed as a welcome lamp.

In an embodiment, the first color may be red or amber. This allows the automotive lamp to be employed as a stop lamp or turn lamp.

In an embodiment, the automotive lamp may be mounted on a front grille of a vehicle. Also, the automotive lamp may be mounted on a headlamp or a rear combination lamp. Also, the automotive lamp may be configured as an interior lamp.

Description will be made below regarding the present invention with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or similar components, members, and processes are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. The embodiments have been described for exemplary purposes only, and are by no means intended to restrict the present invention. Also, it is not necessarily essential for the present invention that all the features or a combination thereof be provided as described in the embodiments.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an automotive lamp <NUM> according to an embodiment of the invention. The automotive lamp <NUM> includes a light guide unit <NUM>, multiple (N) first light-emitting units 120_1 through 120_N, multiple (N) second light-emitting units 130_1 through 130_N, and a controller <NUM>.

The multiple first light-emitting units 120_1 through 120_N are arranged along a first end face S1 of the light guide unit <NUM>. Each first light-emitting unit <NUM> includes a first light source <NUM> configured to emit light in a first color and a second light source <NUM> configured to emit light in a second color that differs from the first color. As the first light source <NUM> and the second light source <NUM>, a semiconductor light source such as a light-emitting diode (LED), laser diode (LD), organic EL (Electro Luminescence) or the like can be employed. In addition to the first light source <NUM> and the second light source <NUM>, the first light-emitting unit <NUM> includes a lighting circuit (driving circuit) for the light sources. The configuration of the lighting circuit may preferably be designed according to the kind of the light source.

The multiple second light-emitting units 130_1 through 130_N are arranged in the X direction along a second end face S2 of the light guide unit <NUM> that is opposite to the first end face S1 thereof. In the same manner as in the first light-emitting units <NUM>, each second light-emitting unit <NUM> includes a third light source <NUM> configured to emit light in the first color and a fourth light source <NUM> configured to emit light in the second color.

Each first light-emitting unit <NUM> is positioned such that the output light L1 and L2 from the first light source <NUM> and the second light source <NUM> is to be incident to the first end face S1 of the light guide unit <NUM>. Similarly, each second light-emitting unit <NUM> is positioned such that the output light L3 and L4 from the third light source <NUM> and the fourth light source <NUM> are to be incident to the second end face S2 of the light guide unit <NUM>.

The output light L1 and L2 of the first light source <NUM> and the second light source <NUM> of each first light-emitting unit <NUM> is wave-guided through the interior of the light guide unit <NUM> in a direction (Y direction) that is approximately orthogonal to the first end face S1. The output light L3 and L4 of the third light source <NUM> and the fourth light source <NUM> of each second light-emitting unit <NUM> is wave-guided through the interior of the light guide unit <NUM> in a direction (Y direction) that is approximately orthogonal to the second end face S2 and that is the reverse of that in which the light L1 and L2 is wave-guided.

The first color is not restricted in particular. Rather, the first color may preferably be determined according to the usage of the automotive lamp <NUM>. For example, white may be employed as the first color, and turquoise is employed as the second color. Description will be made in the present embodiment assuming that the first light source <NUM> and the second light source <NUM> included in each first light-emitting unit <NUM> are turned on and off in a complementary manner. Similarly, description will be made assuming that the third light source <NUM> and the fourth light source <NUM> included in each second light-emitting unit <NUM> are turned on and off in a complementary manner.

The controller <NUM> controls the multiple first light-emitting units 120_1 through 120_N and the multiple second light-emitting units 130_1 through 130_N. Specifically, the controller <NUM> is configured to be capable of independently controlling the on state, off state, and light amount of each of the multiple light sources <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the light guide unit <NUM> includes N light guide members 112_1 through 112_N. The N light guide members 112_1 through 112_N are associated with the N first light-emitting units <NUM> and the N second light-emitting units <NUM>. The i-th light guide member 112_i guides the output light of the corresponding first light-emitting unit 120_i and the output light of the corresponding second light-emitting unit 130_i. In other words, the i-th light guide member 112_i is arranged such that it extends from the corresponding first light-emitting unit 120_i toward the corresponding second light-emitting unit 130_i.

The N light guide members 112_1 through 112_N are each configured to have M multiple discrete steps (rough faces or lens arrays) 114_1 through 114_M along its extending direction (Y direction). In the example shown in <FIG>, the same number M of steps, i.e., five steps, are formed for each of all the light guide members <NUM>. Also, there may be a difference in the number M of steps between the light guide members <NUM>.

In the automotive lamp <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the multiple steps <NUM> are arranged in a matrix of M rows and N columns. Each step functions as an independent light-emitting region.

The above is the configuration of the automotive lamp <NUM>. Next, description will be made regarding the operation thereof.

<FIG> are diagrams each showing an example of light emission of the automotive lamp <NUM>. Description will be made below regarding an example in which M = <NUM> and N = <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an example in which all the light-emitting regions in the M rows and N columns are turned on in the first color. The controller <NUM> controls all the first light-emitting units <NUM> such that the first light source <NUM> is set to the turned-on state, and the second light source <NUM> is set to the turned-off state. Furthermore, the controller <NUM> controls all the second light-emitting units <NUM> such that the third light source <NUM> is set to the turned-on state, and the fourth light source <NUM> is set to the turned-off state.

<FIG> shows an example in which all the light-emitting regions in the M rows and N columns are turned on in the second color. The controller <NUM> controls all the first light-emitting units <NUM> such that the second light source <NUM> is set to the turned-on state, and the first light source <NUM> is set to the turned-off state. Furthermore, the controller <NUM> controls all the second light-emitting units <NUM> such that the fourth light source <NUM> is set to the turned-on state, and the third light source <NUM> is set to the turned-off state.

<FIG> shows an example in which a part of the columns (third column and fourth column) is turned on in the first color. The controller <NUM> controls the third column and the fourth column so as to set the first light sources <NUM> and the third light sources <NUM> to the turned-on state and the second light sources <NUM> and the fourth light sources <NUM> to the turned-off state. The other light-emitting units, i.e., the first, second, fifth, and sixth column light-emitting units 120_1, 120_2, 120_5, 120_6, 130_1, 130_2, 130_5, and 130_6 are set to the turned-off state.

Similarly, from among the N columns, the light-emitting regions of a part of the N columns may be turned on in the second color.

<FIG> shows an example in which a part of the columns (first column and fourth through sixth columns) are turned on in the first color. The light-emitting regions of the other columns (second and third columns) are turned on in the second color. The controller <NUM> controls the first column and the fourth through the sixth columns so as to set the first light sources <NUM> and the third light sources <NUM> to the turned-on state, and to set the second light sources <NUM> and the fourth light sources <NUM> to the turned-off state. Furthermore, the controller <NUM> controls the third and fourth columns so as to set the first light sources <NUM> and the third light sources <NUM> to the turned-off state, and to set the second light sources <NUM> and the fourth light sources <NUM> to the turned-on state.

As described above, with the automotive lamp <NUM>, this is capable of independently controlling the states (color, turned-on/turned-off state) of the multiple light-emitting regions for each column. In the following description, a combination of the states of the multiple light-emitting regions will be referred to as a "lighting pattern" hereafter.

By changing the lighting pattern with time, the automotive lamp <NUM> is capable of providing animation (movement). <FIG> are diagrams for explaining examples of transition of the lighting pattern provided by the automotive lamp <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an example in which the light-emitting region of the first color moves from the right to left in the drawing. <FIG> shows an example of sequential lighting in which the light-emitting region is sequentially turned on from the leftmost column.

<FIG> are time charts that correspond to transitions shown in <FIG>. The on/off state of the first light source <NUM> of the i-th column and the third light source <NUM> of the i-th column are denoted by 122_i and 132_i.

Instead of turning off such a given light-emitting region as shown in <FIG>, the given light-emitting region may be turned on in the second color.

Description has been made with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> regarding an example in which the light emitting region is moved in the X direction. Also, the automotive lamp <NUM> is capable of moving the light emitting region in the Y direction.

<FIG> are diagrams for explaining the movement of the light-emitting region in the Y direction. <FIG> are time charts that correspond to the transitions shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows the transition from a first state φ<NUM> in which the upper-half light emitting region is turned on to the second state φ<NUM> in which the lower-half light emitting region is turned on. As shown in <FIG>, in the first state φ<NUM>, the first light sources 122_1 through 122_6 of the multiple first light emitting units <NUM> are turned on. In contrast, the multiple second light units <NUM> are in the turned-off state. The output light from the first light sources 122_1 through 122_6 is wave-guided downwards via the light guide unit <NUM>. However, as the distance from the light source becomes larger, the attenuation of the luminance becomes larger. Accordingly, the luminance of the lower-side region is lower than that of the upper-side region. That is to say, only the upper-half region appears to be turned on.

In the second state φ<NUM>, the third light sources 132_1 through 132_6 of the multiple second light emitting units <NUM> are turned on. In contrast, the multiple first light-emitting units <NUM> are in the turned-off state. The output light of the third light sources 132_1 through 132_6 is wave-guided upward via the light guide unit <NUM>. However, as the distance from the light source becomes larger, the attenuation of the luminance becomes larger. Accordingly, the luminance of the upper-side region is lower than that of the lower-side region. That is to say, only the lower-half region appears to be turned on.

The multiple first light-emitting units <NUM> are turned off. In contrast, the third light sources <NUM> of the multiple second light-emitting units <NUM> are turned on.

<FIG> shows a situation in which the state gradually transits from the first state φ<NUM> to the second state φ<NUM>. This transition can be provided by the control shown in <FIG>. With the control shown in <FIG>, such an arrangement is capable of continuously controlling the luminance of the first light sources <NUM> and the third light sources <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an example of the transition from the first-color light-emitting state to the second-color light-emitting state. <FIG> is a time chart that corresponds to the transition shown in <FIG>.

(i) First, the controller <NUM> instructs the first light sources 122_1 through 122_6 of the multiple first light-emitting units <NUM> to emit light, and instructs the third light sources 132_1 through 132_6 of the multiple second light-emitting units <NUM> to emit light. In this state, as shown in <FIG>, the entire panel emits light in the first color.

(ii) The controller <NUM> gradually reduces the luminance of the first light sources 122_1 through 122_6 of the multiple first light-emitting units 120_1 through 120_6 with time. At the same time, the controller <NUM> gradually increases the luminance of the second light sources 124_1 through 124_6 with time. With this, as shown in <FIG>, the upper-half region of the panel transits from the first color to the second color.

(iii) Furthermore, the controller <NUM> gradually reduces the luminance of the third light sources 132_1 through 132_6 of the multiple second light-emitting units 130_1 through 130_6 with time. At the same time, the controller <NUM> gradually increases the luminance of the fourth light sources 134_1 through 134_6 with time. With this, the lower-half region of the panel transits from the first color to the second color. In the final stage, as shown in <FIG>, the entire panel face becomes the second color.

Next, description will be made regarding the usage of the automotive lamp <NUM>. The automotive lamp <NUM> may be mounted on a front grille of an automobile.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a front grille <NUM> provided with the automotive lamp <NUM>. The light guide unit <NUM> includes multiple light guide members <NUM> arranged in the horizontal direction. An unshown first light-emitting unit <NUM> is provided to the upper-end face side of each light guide member <NUM>. A second light-emitting unit <NUM> is provided to the lower-end face thereof.

In the front grille <NUM>, white may be employed as the first color, and turquoise is employed as the second color. The white light may be used to provide a function as a DRL, clearance lamp, or a welcome lamp. When the vehicle mounting the front grille <NUM> is in an autonomous driving mode, the front grille <NUM> is instructed to emit light in turquoise. With this, such an arrangement is capable of notifying a traffic participant in the vicinity that the vehicle is in an autonomous driving mode.

It should be noted that the shape of each of the multiple light-emitting regions of the automotive lamp <NUM> is not restricted to a rectangle. As shown in <FIG>, each light-emitting region may be a parallelogram. Also, other kinds of shapes may be employed, examples of which include polygons such as triangles, pentagons, hexagons, octagons, etc. Also, circles or ellipses may be employed. The shape of each light-emitting region may be designed according to the shape of the corresponding step provided to the light guide <NUM>. Alternatively, after rectangular steps are formed, the surface of the light guide unit <NUM> may be covered with an extension or a mask having recesses each corresponding to the light-emitting region.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment <NUM>, in a case in which the light guide unit <NUM> has a small height, the multiple second light-emitting units <NUM> may be omitted.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an automotive lamp <NUM> according to an embodiment <NUM> according to the invention. The automotive lamp <NUM> has the same basic structure as that of the automotive lamp <NUM> according to the embodiment <NUM>. The automotive lamp <NUM> includes a light guide unit <NUM>, multiple first light-emitting units <NUM>, and multiple second light-emitting units <NUM>.

As in the embodiment <NUM>, the light guide unit <NUM> includes multiple light guide members <NUM> that correspond to the multiple light-emitting units <NUM> and the multiple light-emitting units <NUM>.

In the embodiment <NUM>, each light guide member <NUM> has a structure in which multiple (three, in <FIG>) light guide plates 214a through 241c are stacked in the thickness direction.

Each first light-emitting unit <NUM> includes a pair of the first light source <NUM># and the second light source <NUM># for each light guide plate <NUM># ("#" = "a" through "c"). Similarly, each second light-emitting unit <NUM> includes a pair of the third light source <NUM># and the fourth light source <NUM># for each light guide plate <NUM>#.

The controller <NUM> is capable of independently controlling the on/off state of each of the multiple first light sources 222a through 222c and multiple second light sources 224a through 224c for each first light-emitting unit <NUM>. Similarly, the controller <NUM> is capable of independently controlling the on/off state of each of the multiple third light sources 232a through 232c and multiple fourth light sources 234a through 234c for each second light-emitting unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional diagram showing the automotive lamp <NUM>. Steps 216a through 216c are respectively formed in the light guide plates 214a through 214c such that they have different heights. When the second light source <NUM> and the fourth light source <NUM> that correspond to the light guide plate 214_i are turned on, the steps provided to the light guide plate 214_i emit light in the second color. In contrast, when the first light source <NUM> and the third light source <NUM> that correspond to the light guide plate 214_i are turned on, the steps provided to the light guide plate 214_i emit light in the first color.

The above is the configuration of the automotive lamp <NUM>. With the automotive lamp <NUM>, by controlling the turning-on/turning-off of each of the multiple first light sources 222a through 222c (232a through 232c) and each of the multiple second light sources 224a through 224c (234a through 234c) for each first light-emitting unit <NUM>, this is capable of selecting the height of the steps to be turned on.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an automotive lamp <NUM> according to an embodiment <NUM>. The automotive lamp <NUM> includes a light guide unit <NUM>, multiple first light-emitting units <NUM>, multiple second light-emitting units <NUM>, and a controller <NUM>. In the embodiment <NUM>, the light guide unit <NUM> is configured as a single light guide panel <NUM>.

Multiple steps are formed in the light guide panel <NUM> in a matrix. Furthermore, a collimating optical system <NUM> is provided for each first light-emitting unit <NUM> on the first end face S1 side of the light guide unit <NUM>. Also, the collimating optical system may be formed together with the light guide unit <NUM> in the form of a single unit. As shown in <FIG>, in a case in which the light guide unit <NUM> is configured as a single panel, i.e., in an arrangement in which the beams output from the adjacent light-emitting units are wave-guided via the same light guide, the collimating optical systems <NUM> may preferably be provided in order to limit the waveguide path for each beam. The collimating optical system 314_i collimates the output light of the corresponding first light-emitting unit 320_i into parallel light (plane wave). This allows the output light to be wave-guided in the height direction (Y direction) while suppressing beam divergence. It should be noted that, in a case in which the light guide units <NUM> (<NUM>) are formed as multiple separate light guide members <NUM> (<NUM>) as shown in <FIG> or <FIG>, the beam is confined for each light guide unit. Accordingly, with such an arrangement, the collimating optical systems may be provided or omitted.

Similarly, a collimating optical system <NUM> is provided on the second end face S2 side of the light guide unit <NUM> for each second light-emitting unit <NUM>. The collimating optical system 316_i collimates the output light of the corresponding second light-emitting unit 330_i into parallel light (plane wave). This allows the output light to be guided within the light guide unit <NUM> while suppressing beam divergence.

The collimating optical systems <NUM> and <NUM> may be configured as protruding members provided on the first end face S1 and the second end face S2 of the light guide unit <NUM>.

By appropriately designing the collimating optical systems <NUM> and <NUM>, this is capable of guiding the output light of the multiple first light-emitting units <NUM> without interference between them within the light guide panel <NUM>.

It should be noted that, in the automotive lamp <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the multiple second light-emitting units <NUM> and the multiple collimating units <NUM> may be omitted.

Next, description will be made regarding the usage of the automotive lamp <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram showing a headlamp <NUM> provided with the automotive lamp <NUM>. The headlamp <NUM> includes a low-beam lamp <NUM>, a high-beam lamp <NUM>, a clearance lamp <NUM>, and a turn/ADS lamp <NUM>. The clearance lamp <NUM> may serve as a DRL lamp.

The turn/ADS (Automated Driving System) lamp <NUM> is configured as the automotive lamp <NUM>. When the turn/ADS lamp <NUM> functions as a turn lamp, the turn/ADS lamp <NUM> emits amber light. On the other hand, when the turn/ADS lamp <NUM> functions as an ADS lamp, the turn/ADS lamp <NUM> emits turquoise light. Accordingly, the automotive lamp <NUM> is designed with an amber color as the first color, and with a turquoise color as the second color.

In <FIG>, a continuous step may be formed over the entire face of the light guide panel <NUM>. Also, as shown in <FIG>, steps may be made in a matrix. Alternatively, steps may be formed with one row and N columns.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a rear combination lamp <NUM> provided with the automotive lamp <NUM>. The rear combination lamp <NUM> includes a tail/ADS lamp <NUM> and a turn/ADS lamp <NUM>.

The tail/ADS lamp <NUM> and the turn/ADS lamp <NUM> are each configured as the automotive lamp <NUM> shown in <FIG>. When the tail/ADS lamp <NUM> functions as a tail lamp, the tail/ADS lamp <NUM> emits red light. On the other hand, when the tail/ADS lamp <NUM> functions as an ADS lamp, the tail/ADS lamp <NUM> emits turquoise light. Accordingly, the tail/ADS lamp <NUM> is designed with red as the first color and with turquoise as the second color.

When the turn/ADS lamp <NUM> functions as a turn lamp, the turn/ADS lamp <NUM> emits amber light. On the other hand, when the turn/ADS lamp <NUM> functions as an ADS lamp, the turn/ADS lamp <NUM> emits turquoise light. Accordingly, the turn/ADS lamp <NUM> is designed with an amber color as the first color, and with a turquoise color as the second color.

Description has been made regarding the present invention with reference to the embodiments using specific terms. However, the above-described embodiments show only an aspect of the mechanisms and applications of the present invention. Rather, various modifications and various changes in the layout can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention defined in appended claims.

The present invention is applicable to an automotive lamp.

Claim 1:
An automotive lamp (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a light guide unit (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
a plurality of first light-emitting units (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) arranged along a first end face (S1) of the light guide unit (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and each of the plurality of first light-emitting units (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a first light source (<NUM>) structured to emit light in a first color (L1) and
a controller (<NUM>) structured to control the plurality of first light-emitting units (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the light guide unit (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprises a plurality of light guide members (<NUM>) that correspond to the plurality of first light-emitting units (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and each of the plurality of light guide members (<NUM>) extends with a corresponding one of the plurality of first light-emitting units (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) as a start point, characterized in that
each of the plurality of first light-emitting units (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprise a second light source (<NUM>) structured to emit light in a second color (L2) that differs from the first color (L1), such that the light L1 and L2 outputted from the first light source (<NUM>) and the second light source (<NUM>) of each first light-emitting unit are to be incident to the first end face (S1) of the light guide unit (<NUM>);
wherein the plurality of first light-emitting units (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is independently switchable among (i) a first state where the first light source (<NUM>) is set to turned-on state and the second light source (<NUM>) is set to turned-off state, (ii) a second state where the first light source (<NUM>) is set to turned-off state and the second light source (<NUM>) is set to turned-on state, (iii) a third state where both the first light source (<NUM>) and the second light source (<NUM>) are set to turned-off state,
wherein the second color is turquoise, and the plurality of first light-emitting units (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) operates in the second state when the vehicle is traveling in an autonomous driving mode.