JPH08216801A - Vehicle pillar structure - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To reduce the contrast between pillars and the background. [Constitution] An inner garnish 34 is arranged on the vehicle passenger compartment side of the front pillar 14, and a prism 36 is arranged on the front portion of the inner garnish 34. On the rear side of the prism 36, a first half mirror 40, a second half mirror 42, and a third half mirror 44 are arranged in order at predetermined intervals. The first half mirror 40 reflects a part of the light emitted from the prism 36 toward the inner garnish 34 and transmits the other light. The second half mirror 42 reflects a part of the light transmitted through the first half mirror 40 toward the inner garnish 34, and the third half mirror 44 a part of the light transmitted through the second half mirror 42. Reflect toward.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pillar structure for a vehicle, and more particularly to a pillar structure for a vehicle such as an automobile in which a driver or the like looks outside the pillar.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a pillar structure of a vehicle in which a light emitting means such as a lamp is provided on a pillar of a vehicle such as an automobile is known, and an example thereof is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 5-89081.

As shown in FIG. 15, the pillar structure of this vehicle has a surface 91 of a pillar trim 91 of a rear pillar 90.
An opening hole 93 for direct illumination is provided in A, and a pillar trim 91 is provided.
A cutout portion 94 for indirect illumination is provided on the upper wall surface 91B. A lamp 95 is disposed on the back side of the pillar trim 91, and the illumination portions 95A and 95B of the lamp 95 face the opening hole 93 and the cutout portion 94, respectively. A slide plate 96 is disposed between the lamp 95 and the pillar trim 91. The slide plate 96 has a plate body 96A that opens and closes the opening hole 93, and when the plate body 96A opens the opening hole 93. , Notch 94
And a shutter portion 96B that closes.

[0004]

However, in the pillar structure of this vehicle, the contrast between the rear pillar 90 and the view seen from the side window 97 in front of the rear pillar 90 and the rear window 98 behind the rear pillar 90 is day and night. growing. That is, in the daytime, the field of view of the rear pillar 90 is considerably brighter than that of the rear pillar 90, and at night, the background of the rear pillar 90 is much darker than that of the rear pillar 90. For this reason, when the driver or the like checks the rear of the vehicle through the rear pillar 90, the rear pillar 90 unintentionally focuses on the rear pillar 90 for a moment, and the rear pillar 90 obstructs the view.

In view of the above facts, the present invention has an object to obtain a vehicle pillar structure which can reduce the contrast between the pillar and the background.

[0006]

A pillar structure for a vehicle according to a first aspect of the present invention is a pillar for supporting a roof, an interior member provided on the side of the interior wall of the pillar, and a vehicle provided for the interior member. Light guide means for guiding the outside light to the vehicle interior side.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pillar structure for a vehicle, a pillar for supporting a roof, an interior member provided on a side of the interior wall of the pillar, a light emitting means provided in the interior member, and a vehicle exterior. The illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance near the pillar and the illuminance control means for controlling the illuminance of the light emitting means based on the detection value of the illuminance detection means.

[0008]

In the vehicle pillar structure according to the present invention as defined in claim 1, the brightness of the interior member provided on the side of the interior wall of the pillar is controlled by the light guide means for guiding the light outside the vehicle to the inside of the vehicle. Since the background of the pillar, that is, when the outside of the vehicle is bright, the interior members provided on the side of the interior wall of the pillar become bright, and when the background of the pillar is dark, it is provided on the side of the interior wall of the pillar. The interior material used is dark. Therefore, the contrast between the pillar and the background is reduced.

In the pillar structure for a vehicle according to the present invention as defined in claim 2, the illuminance detecting means detects the illuminance in the vicinity of the pillar outside the vehicle, and based on the detected value of the illuminance detecting means,
Since the illuminance control means controls the illuminance of the light emitting means provided on the interior member of the pillar, when the background of the pillar, that is, when the outside of the vehicle is bright, the interior member provided on the side of the interior wall of the pillar becomes bright and When the background is dark, the interior member provided on the side of the interior wall of the pillar becomes dark. Therefore, the contrast between the pillar and the background is reduced.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of a vehicle pillar structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In these figures, the arrow FR, which is shown as appropriate, indicates the front side of the vehicle, the arrow IN indicates the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the arrow UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 2, front pillars 14 are arranged outside the both ends of the windshield glass 12 of the vehicle 10 in the vehicle width direction substantially along the vertical direction. The front pillars 14 are center pillars 16. The roof 20 is supported together with the quarter pillar 18.

As shown in FIG. 1, the front pillar 14
Includes a front pillar outer 22 that constitutes the vehicle outer side portion of the front pillar 14 and a front pillar inner 24 that constitutes the vehicle inner side portion of the front pillar 14.
The cross-sectional shape of the front pillar outer 22 viewed from above the vehicle is a hat shape with the opening facing the inside of the vehicle, and the front flange 22B is formed at the opening edge of the front wall 22A toward the outside of the opening. The rear flange 22D is formed at the opening edge of the rear wall 22C toward the outside of the opening. Further, the cross-sectional shape of the front pillar inner 24 viewed from above the vehicle is a hat shape with the opening facing the outside of the vehicle, and the opening edge of the front wall portion 24A has a front flange 24B facing the outside of the opening. Is formed, and a rear flange 24D is formed at the opening edge of the rear wall 24C toward the outside of the opening.

Front flange 2 of front pillar outer 22
2B and the rear flange 22D are the front pillar inner 2
4 are welded to the front flange 24B and the rear flange 24D, respectively, and each of the front pillar outer 22 and the front pillar inner 24 includes a closed cross-section portion 2 extending substantially in the vehicle vertical direction.
6.

Front wall portion 22A of the front pillar outer 22
A windshield molding 28 is fixed to the outer peripheral edge portion 12A of the windshield glass 12 by the windshield molding 28.
Is attached to the front flange 22 </ b> B of the front pillar outer 22 via the cushioning material 29.

The rear wall portion 22C of the front pillar outer 22
A roof side rail weather strip 30 is attached to the roof side rail weather strip 30, and a roof drip molding 32 is disposed on the vehicle outer side portion of the roof side rail weather strip 30.

An inner garnish 34 as an interior member is disposed on the vehicle passenger compartment inner side of the front pillar inner 24, and a fitting portion 34A is formed on the rear portion of the inner garnish 34. The fitting portion 34A has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape when viewed from the vehicle body vertical direction, and is fitted to a joint portion between the rear flange 22D of the front pillar outer 22 and the rear flange 24D of the front pillar inner 24. .

At the front of the inner garnish 34, a prism 36 is disposed as a part of the light guide means. The front surface 36A of the prism 36 is located inside the vehicle width direction at the joint between the front flange 22B of the front pillar outer 22 and the front flange 24B of the front pillar inner 24, and faces the windshield glass 12. Therefore, the light transmitted through the windshield glass 12 (arrow S1 in FIG. 1) enters the prism 36 from the front surface 36A.

Light entering the prism 36 from the front surface 36A is refracted in the prism 36, and the rear surface 3 of the prism 36.
6B is irradiated into the gap 38 formed between the base portion 24 of the front pillar inner 24 and the intermediate portion 34B of the inner garnish 34. In this gap 38, a first half mirror 40, a second half mirror 42, and a third half mirror 44 as a part of the light guiding means are arranged in order from the rear surface 36B side of the prism 36 at predetermined intervals. ing.
The first half mirror 40 reflects a part of the light (arrow S2 in FIG. 1) radiated from the rear surface 36B side of the prism 36 toward the intermediate portion 34B of the inner garnish 34, and other light (FIG. 1). Through the arrow S3). The second half mirror 42 passes a part of the light (arrow S3 in FIG. 1) transmitted through the first half mirror 40 to the inner garnish 34.
While being reflected toward the intermediate portion 34B, other light (arrow S4 in FIG. 1) is transmitted. The third half mirror 44 is
Light transmitted through the second half mirror 42 (arrow S4 in FIG. 1)
Part of the light is reflected toward the intermediate portion 34B of the inner garnish 34, and other light is transmitted.

The third half mirror 44 may be an ordinary mirror instead of the half mirror. Further, the intermediate portion 34B of the inner garnish 34 includes the half mirrors 40, 4
Light reflected by 2, 44 (arrows S5, S6, S in FIG. 1)
6) can be transmitted, and becomes bright when there is a large amount of transmitted light and becomes dark when there is a small amount of transmitted light. Accordingly, when the background of the front pillar 14 is bright from the driver's perspective, there is a large amount of light (arrow S1 in FIG. 1) that passes through the windshield glass 12, and the intermediate portion 34B of the inner garnish 34 becomes bright, which is seen by the driver. When the background of the front pillar 14 is dark, there is little light (arrow S1 in FIG. 1) passing through the windshield glass 12, and the inner garnish 34
Intermediate portion 34B becomes dark.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. In the vehicle pillar structure of the first embodiment, the light transmitted through the windshield glass 12 (arrow S1 in FIG. 1) is emitted from the front surface 3
The light enters the prism 36 from 6A. Light entering the prism 36 from the front surface 36A is refracted in the prism 36,
From the rear surface 36B of the prism 36 to the front pillar inner 2
4 of the base 24 and the intermediate portion 34B of the inner garnish 34
It is irradiated into the gap 38 formed between the and. Part of this light (arrow S2 in FIG. 1) is reflected by the first half mirror 40 toward the intermediate portion 34B of the inner garnish 34. Part of the light that has passed through the first half mirror 40 (arrow S3 in FIG. 1) is reflected by the second half mirror 42 toward the intermediate portion 34B of the inner garnish 34. Light transmitted through the second half mirror 42 (arrow S in FIG.
Part of 4) is reflected by the third half mirror 44 toward the intermediate portion 34B of the inner garnish 34. The light (arrows S5, S6, S6 in FIG. 1) reflected by the half mirrors 40, 42, 44 passes through the intermediate portion 34B of the inner garnish 34.

Therefore, when the background of the front pillar 14, that is, the outside of the vehicle is bright as viewed from the driver, a large amount of light (arrow S1 in FIG. 1) is transmitted through the windshield glass 12, and the intermediate portion 34B of the inner garnish 34 is bright. Become. On the other hand, when viewed from the driver, the background of the front pillar 14, that is, when the outside of the vehicle is dark, the windshield glass 1
There is little light (arrow S1 in FIG. 1) that transmits 2 and the intermediate portion 34B of the inner garnish 34 becomes dark. Therefore, the contrast between the background of the front pillar 14 and the front pillar 14 is reduced. As a result, the front pillar 14
The visual annoyance of is reduced. Further, it is possible to reduce unintentional focusing on the front pillar 14 when looking at a visual target in the direction of the front pillar 14.

In the first embodiment, the half mirror 4
I used 0, 42, 44, but half mirrors 40, 4
Instead of 2, 44, as shown in FIG.
Hole 46 through which part of the light emitted from the rear surface 36B passes
A first mirror 48 as a light guide means having a hole, and a hole 4
A second mirror 52 as a light guide means having a hole 50 through which a part of the light passing through 6 passes and a third mirror 54 as a light guide means for reflecting the light passing through the hole 50 are used. May be. Further, instead of the half mirrors 40, 42 and 44, as shown in FIG. 4, a convex mirror 56 as a light guide means protruding toward the intermediate portion 34B side of the inner garnish 34 is used. The light emitted from the rear surface 36B may be reflected toward the intermediate portion 34B of the inner garnish 34.

Next, a second embodiment of the vehicle pillar structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The same members as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of optical fibers 58 as light guide means are arranged between the front pillar inner 24 and the inner garnish 34. These optical fibers 58 are arranged in a line along the surface 34D of the inner garnish 34 on the side of the front pillar inner 24 at a portion from the intermediate portion 34B to the front portion 34A of the inner garnish 34.

As shown in FIG. 6, the optical fiber 58 extends from the upper end to the lower end of the inner garnish 34.

As shown in FIG. 7, the roof 2 of the vehicle 10
A light intake port 59 as a light guide means is formed at the connecting portion with the front pillar 14 of 0, and the upper end portion 58A of the optical fiber 58 is guided to the light intake port 59.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. In the vehicle pillar structure of the second embodiment, the light outside the vehicle is
The light is taken into the optical fiber 58 from the light intake port 59, the brightness of the optical fiber 58 changes, and the optical fiber 58
The brightness of the inner garnish 34 changes depending on the transmitted light. Therefore, when the background of the front pillar 14, that is, the outside of the vehicle is bright as viewed from the driver, a large amount of light is taken into the optical fiber 58 and the inner garnish 34 becomes bright. On the other hand, when viewed from the driver, when the background of the front pillar 14, that is, the outside of the vehicle is dark, the light captured in the optical fiber 58 is small and the inner garnish 34 becomes dark. Therefore, the contrast between the background of the front pillar 14 and the front pillar 14 is reduced. As a result,
The visual annoyance of the front pillar 14 is reduced.
Further, it is possible to reduce unintentional focusing on the front pillar 14 when looking at a visual target in the direction of the front pillar 14.

In the second embodiment, the optical fiber 58
Although the light intake port 59 is provided at the upper end 58A of the optical fiber 58, the light intake port 59 may be provided at the lower end of the optical fiber 58.

Next, a third embodiment of the vehicle pillar structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The same members as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, the front pillar 14 is
A liquid crystal display 60 as a light emitting means is disposed on the side surface of the vehicle interior.

As shown in FIG. 9, each of these liquid crystal displays 60 is connected to a control device 64 as illuminance control means. Further, in the vicinity of the lower portions of the left and right front pillars 14 of the front body 10A of the vehicle 10, the driver indicated by the point P is
An illuminance sensor 62 is provided as an illuminance detecting unit that measures the brightness of the background at that time when the four directions are viewed. These illuminance sensors 62 are respectively controlled by the control device 6
4 is connected. The control device 64 stores a map for changing the brightness of the liquid crystal display 60 according to the data measured by the illuminance sensor 62, and the map is stored in the liquid crystal display 60 according to the data measured by the illuminance sensor 62. It is designed to output a signal that changes the brightness.

Further, a vehicle speed sensor 66 is connected to the control device 64, so that the system is automatically turned off and the battery is raised when the vehicle speed becomes lower than a predetermined value due to traffic congestion or at the time of stop. It is designed to prevent it. Further, a main switch 68 is connected to the control device 64 so that a driver can turn on / off the system as needed.

Next, the effect of the third embodiment will be described. In the vehicle pillar structure of the third embodiment, the main switch 6 is used.
When 8 is on and the vehicle speed exceeds the predetermined value, the control device 64 changes the brightness of the liquid crystal display 60 according to the data measured by the illuminance sensor 62. Therefore, as seen from the driver, the front pillar 14
When the background, that is, the outside of the vehicle is bright, the brightness of the liquid crystal display 60 becomes bright according to the data measured by the illuminance sensor 62. On the other hand, when viewed from the driver, the background of the front pillar 14, that is, when the outside of the vehicle is dark, the illuminance sensor 6
Liquid crystal display 6 according to the data measured by 2
The brightness of 0 becomes dark. Therefore, the front pillar 14
The contrast between the background and the front pillar 14 is reduced. As a result, the visual annoyance of the front pillar 14 is reduced. Further, it is possible to reduce unintentional focusing on the front pillar 14 when looking at a visual target in the direction of the front pillar 14.

In the pillar structure for a vehicle according to the third embodiment, the control device 64 causes the liquid crystal display 60 to be partially bright and lit or blinked.
The driver's consciousness can be drawn to the front right of the vehicle or the front left of the vehicle, and the driver can be made to pay attention.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when it is desired to have the driver gaze at the front right of the vehicle, only the vertical center 60A of the liquid crystal display 60 on the right side is made to blink. Further, when the left mirror 70 is desired to be shown, only the vertical lower portion 60B of the left liquid crystal display 60 is made to blink.

In the vehicle pillar structure of the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the left and right mirrors 70 and the obstacle detection sensors 74 provided on the left and right rear ends 72 of the vehicle are connected to the control device 64. At the same time, by connecting the snake angle sensor 76 and the blinker 78 to the control device 64, when another vehicle or the like approaches from the rear of the vehicle when changing lanes or the like while the vehicle is traveling, the other vehicle or the like approaches. By blinking the liquid crystal display 60 on the side where the driver is on, it becomes possible to attract the driver's consciousness.

For example, when the two-wheeled vehicle 80 is approaching to the right rear of the host vehicle 10 while traveling on the highway, the winker 7
8. The control device 64 takes in signals from the snake angle sensor 76 and the vehicle speed sensor 66. Control device 64
Then, when it is judged from the signal of the turn signal 78 that the driver is trying to change the lane to the right, the motorcycle 80 is detected by the obstacle detection sensor 74 on the right side of the vehicle, and therefore the liquid crystal display 60 on the right side of the vehicle is blinked. Get conscious of.

Further, in the vehicle pillar structure of the third embodiment, even if an inter-route communication device provided in the vehicle is connected to the control device 64 and traffic information is displayed on the liquid crystal display 60 by characters or pictures. good.

Further, in the vehicle pillar structure of the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, an indoor CCD camera 82 is provided above the driver side liquid crystal display 60 to detect the driver's eye point and As shown in FIG. 12, a vehicle exterior C is provided on the vehicle outer side of the left and right front pillars 14 (the left front pillar is not shown).
A CD camera 84 may be provided to capture an image of a portion hidden by the left and right front pillars 14.

As shown in FIG. 13, these indoor CCs
The D camera 82 and the CCD camera 84 outside the vehicle are connected to the control device 64, respectively.
4 shows the left and right front pillars 14 from the driver's eye point detected by the indoor CCD camera 82.
Thus, which part of the image of the CCD camera 84 outside the vehicle is in the blind spot is calculated, and the image of this blind spot is displayed on the left and right liquid crystal displays 60 as shown in FIG.

Depending on driving conditions such as when driving on a highway, the part hidden by the left and right front pillars 14 may not be a problem. In such a case, based on the vehicle speed signal from the vehicle speed sensor, The image may not be displayed on the liquid crystal display 60.

In each of the embodiments, an example in which the vehicle pillar structure of the present invention is applied to a front pillar is explained, but the vehicle pillar structure of the present invention is also applicable to a center pillar and a quarter pillar. .

[0046]

According to the pillar structure for a vehicle of the present invention as set forth in claim 1, the pillar for supporting the roof, the interior member provided on the side of the inner wall of the pillar for the interior of the vehicle, and the interior exterior member provided with the interior member for illuminating light outside the vehicle. Since the light guide means for guiding to the indoor side is provided, it has an excellent effect that the contrast between the pillar and the background can be reduced.

A pillar structure for a vehicle according to a second aspect of the present invention is a pillar for supporting a roof, an interior member provided on the side of the interior wall of the pillar, a light emitting means provided in the interior member, and a vehicle exterior. Since the illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance near the pillar and the illuminance control means for controlling the illuminance of the light emitting means based on the detection value of the illuminance detection means are provided, the contrast between the pillar and the background can be reduced. It has an excellent effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 1-1 of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pillar structure of the vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the vehicle interior side.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a pillar structure of a vehicle according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing a pillar structure of a vehicle according to a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a pillar structure of a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the vehicle interior side.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pillar structure of a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention as seen from the outside of the vehicle.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a pillar structure of a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the vehicle interior side.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing a pillar structure of a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a pillar structure of a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the vehicle interior side.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a pillar structure of a vehicle according to a modified example of the third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the vehicle interior side.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a pillar structure of a vehicle according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the outside of the vehicle.

FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view showing a pillar structure of a vehicle according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing a pillar structure of a vehicle according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the vehicle interior side.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a pillar structure of a vehicle according to a conventional example as viewed from the vehicle interior side.

[Explanation of symbols]

 14 Front Pillar 34 Inner Garnish (Interior Member) 36 Prism (Light Guide Means) 40 First Half Mirror (Light Guide Means) 42 Second Half Mirror (Light Guide Means) 44 Third Half Mirror (Light Guide Means) 48 First Mirror (light guiding means) 52 Second mirror (light guiding means) 54 Third mirror (light guiding means) 56 Convex mirror (light guiding means) 58 Optical fiber (light guiding means) 59 Light intake port (light guiding means) 60 Liquid crystal Display (light emitting means) 62 Illuminance sensor (illuminance detecting means) 64 Control device (illuminance controlling means)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A pillar for supporting a roof, an interior member provided on a side of a wall of a vehicle interior of the pillar, and a light guide unit provided on the interior member for guiding light outside the vehicle to the inside of the vehicle. Pillar structure of vehicle characterized by. 2. A pillar for supporting a roof, an interior member provided on the side of the interior wall of the pillar, a light emitting means provided in the interior member, and an illuminance detecting means for detecting an illuminance near the pillar outside the vehicle. A pillar structure for a vehicle comprising: an illuminance control unit that controls the illuminance of the light emitting unit based on a detection value of the illuminance detection unit.