Vehicle lamp with road delineation function

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle lamp having a simple configuration and a road surface drawing function, which has both a function as a headlamp or beacon lamp and a road surface drawing function. In a vehicle lamp having a road surface drawing function in addition to a function as a headlamp or beacon lamp, an optical unit having a function as a headlamp or beacon lamp irradiates a portion of the light emitted from a light source as prescribed light distribution, and a road surface drawing unit projects another portion of the light emitted from the light source as a drawing pattern associated with the irradiation target of the optical unit, to the road surface. Since one light source is used as a light source common to the optical unit and the road surface drawing unit, the configuration is simple, and the functional effect is high by the irradiation associated with the target.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a vehicle lamp, and particularly to a vehicle lamp having a road surface drawing function in addition to a function as a headlamp or a beacon lamp. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a vehicle lamp having an optical unit functioning as a headlamp or a beacon lamp, there is a type in which a drawing unit that irradiates a desired drawing pattern to a road surface is also mounted together with the optical unit (for example, Patent Literature 1).

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-37260 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] However, in the vehicle lamp of Patent Literature 1, since the optical unit functioning as a headlamp or a beacon lamp and the drawing unit that irradiates a desired drawing pattern to a road surface are both mounted in the same lamp chamber, the frame becomes large-sized, and the control system also becomes complicated.

[0008] The present application has been achieved in view of the above, and provides a vehicle lamp having a road surface drawing function and simple configuration.

[0009] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a vehicle lamp having a road surface drawing function in addition to a function as a headlamp or a beacon lamp, which is configured with an optical unit functioning as a headlamp or a beacon lamp and a road surface drawing unit functioning as a projection function that projects a drawing pattern to a road surface, using a common light source. The optical unit and the road surface drawing unit are configured to perform irradiation associated with an irradiation purpose. According to this embodiment, since the light source is common, the overall size can be reduced. Furthermore, the emission contents are associated, and by a synergistic effect, the functional effect can be improved.

[0011] In addition, in one embodiment, the optical unit irradiates a part of the light source emission light as a prescribed light distribution pattern, and the road surface drawing unit projects another part of the light source emission light to a road surface as a drawing pattern associated with the irradiation purpose of the optical unit. According to this embodiment, since the light source emission light is shared, the light distribution and the drawing pattern are linked in terms of the timing of turning on and off. A complicated control mechanism is not required, and the configuration can be simplified.

[0012] Further, in one mode, the road surface depiction unit is configured with a lens that forms incident light into a prescribed depiction pattern and emits it. Since the depiction pattern can be illuminated only by the incident light, a control circuit is not needed, and the configuration can be simplified.

[0013] Further, in one mode, the light source commonly used in the optical unit and the road surface depiction unit is configured with a plurality of light emitting elements, and the configuration of the plurality of light emitting elements is determined by the shape of the depiction pattern projected by the road surface depiction unit. Depending on the shape of the depiction pattern projected onto the road surface, the required characteristics are different. By matching the configuration of the light emitting elements to the required characteristics, the outer diameter of the depiction pattern can be made clearer, and the brightness of the entire depiction pattern can be made constant to reduce unevenness in brightness.

[0014] Further, in one mode, the optical unit is configured in accordance with the height and angle of the light source, and the relative configuration with the road surface depiction unit is determined. Primarily, the configuration of the road surface depiction unit is determined first, and the configuration of the optical unit is determined in accordance with how the remaining light distribution is used. Thereby, the depiction pattern that is formed more clearly and more brightly can be projected onto the road surface.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] As described above, according to the present application, a vehicle lamp having a simple configuration and a road surface depiction function can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle lamp of the first embodiment. Figure 1 (A) in FIG. 1 is a plan view, Figure 1 (B) in FIG. 1 is a side view.

[0018] Figure 2 is a vehicle lamp, and is a view for explaining the configuration. Figure 2 (A) in FIG. 2 is a side view, Figure 2 (B) in FIG. 2 is a plan view. In order to show the internal configuration, a frame is shown by a broken line.

[0019] Figure 3 is a schematic configuration view that schematically shows the configuration of the vehicle lamp, and is a view mainly for explaining the optical path of the emitted light from the light source.

[0020] Figure 4 is a schematic side view for explaining the configuration of the lens.

[0021] Figure 5 is a schematic view of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle lamp of the second embodiment. Figure 5 (A) in FIG. 4 is a back perspective view,Figure 5 (B) in the diagram is a top view. Figure 5 (C) is a side view.

[0022] Figure 6 These are the vehicle's lights. Figure 6 (A) in the diagram is a 3D image. Figure 6 (B) in the diagram is a side view.

[0023] Figure 7 This is an exploded 3D view of the vehicle's lighting fixtures.

[0024] Figure 8 Show the lampshade. Figure 8 (A) in the diagram mainly shows the outer surface side that becomes the exit surface. Figure 8 (B) in the diagram mainly shows the inner surface side that serves as the incident surface.

[0025] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram that roughly shows the configuration of the vehicle's lighting fixtures, and mainly an illustration of the light path of the emitted light from the light source.

[0026] Figure 10 This is a variation.

[0027] Figure 11 This is a variation.

[0028] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0029] 1. 101: Vehicle lights

[0030] 10, 110: Lens

[0031] 20: Pedal reflector

[0032] 30, 130: Light source

[0033] 150: Lampshade

[0034] L1, L2, L3, L4: Light

[0035] LD1, LD2: light distribution

[0036] M1, M2: Drawing patterns Detailed Implementation

[0037] The following is a reference to the appendix. Figure 1 Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the invention, but rather to illustrate it; all features described in the embodiments, and combinations thereof, are not necessarily the essence of the invention. Furthermore, in each figure, the vehicle and the directions of the vehicle headlights are defined as (up:down:left:right:front:rear = Up:Lo:Le:Ri:Fr:Re) based on the driver's viewpoint inside the vehicle.

[0038] (First Embodiment)

[0039] Figure 1 A vehicle C equipped with the vehicle lamp 1 of the first embodiment is shown. As shown, the vehicle lamp 1 is a front turn signal lamp installed at the front of the vehicle C and functioning as a beacon lamp when the vehicle C changes the traveling direction to the left or right. The vehicle lamp 1 is provided in a pair on the left and right, and is configured to be left-right symmetrical with each other. Hereinafter, the vehicle lamp 1 installed on the right side will be described. Figure 2

[0040] When the vehicle C moves to the right, the vehicle lamp 1 forms a red-brown diffuse light toward the front of the vehicle C as a distribution light LD1 of a turn signal lamp, and flickers it to inform the driver of an oncoming vehicle, a vehicle driver of a traveling path, and the like of the movement of the vehicle C to the right. At the same time, the vehicle lamp 1 projects a three-continuous substantially inverted V-shaped drawing pattern M1 to the road surface GR in front of the right side. The drawing pattern M1 is turned on and off at a prescribed cycle, and the timing of the turning on and off is the same as that of the distribution light LD1. By the drawing pattern M1, a pedestrian or the like existing in the traveling direction recognizes the traveling path of the vehicle C and is prompted to pay attention.

[0041] As such, the vehicle lamp 1 has a road surface drawing function in addition to the function as a conventional beacon lamp, and the two irradiations are associated with each other. The vehicle lamp 1 turns on and off the distribution light LD1 as a diffuse light from the right side of the vehicle C toward the front, and further projects the drawing pattern M1 toward the traveling direction to the road surface. Both of them are irradiations for the same purpose of "informing the surrounding of the movement of the vehicle C to the right and prompting attention", and the vehicle lamp 1 improves the functional effect by associating the contents of the two functions and irradiating them.

[0042] The configuration of the present disclosure is not limited to a front turn signal lamp, and can also be used for a high beam, a low beam, a fog lamp, and the like as a headlamp, and can also be used for a tail lamp, a brake lamp, a daytime running lamp, a clearance lamp, a side turn signal lamp, an automatic driving display lamp, and the like as a beacon lamp.

[0043] In addition, the headlamp such as a high beam and a low beam is determined a distribution light of a prescribed distance, and on the other hand, the beacon lamp is determined only a range reached by the maximum luminosity and the left and right irradiation angles. Both of the headlamp and the beacon lamp are described as a distribution light in a manner that the light is irradiated in a prescribed manner determined for each vehicle lamp.

[0044] (Structure of Vehicle Lamp 1)

[0045] Next, the structure of the vehicle lamp 1 will be described. Figure 2 is a schematic view showing the structure of the vehicle lamp 1.​Figure 2 (A) in the diagram is a side view. Figure 3 (B) is a top view. The frame is shown with dashed lines to show the internal structure. Figure 1 This is an explanatory diagram showing the light path emitted from a light source.

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, the vehicle lamp 1 includes: a lamp body 40 having an opening at the front; and a lamp cover 50, which is mounted on the opening of the lamp body 40 and is made of a light-transmitting resin, glass, or the like. The lamp body 40 and the lamp cover 50 form the frame of the vehicle lamp 1, and a lamp chamber S is formed inside the lamp body 40 and the lamp cover 50.

[0047] The lamp chamber S mainly houses a lens 10, a reflector step 20, and a light source 30 with light-emitting elements mounted on a substrate. The lens 10 is fixed to the lamp body 40 by a pair of legs 15 extending from the side toward the back. The reflector step 20 and the light source 30 are also fixed to the lamp body 40 by fixing components not shown.

[0048] The pedal reflector 20 is a pedal-shaped reflector divided into multiple reflective elements. The inner surface becomes a reflective surface that reflects light, and is configured to reflect incident light and illuminate it forward in a predetermined light distribution.

[0049] Lens 10 is an optical component that receives light from the incident surface and exits from the exit surface. In this embodiment, lens 10 is a drawing lens with a free-form exit surface that shapes the incident light into a desired drawing pattern. The detailed shape of lens 10 will be described later.

[0050] The light source 30 can use semiconductor light-emitting elements such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), LDs (Laser Diodes), and ELs (ElectroLuminescence), as well as light bulbs, incandescent lamps (halogen lamps), and discharge lamps. In this embodiment, an LED that emits reddish-brown light is used as the light-emitting element.

[0051] The vehicle lamp 1 has an optical unit that functions as a beacon light (turn signal light) and a road surface marking unit that functions as a pattern projected onto the road surface.

[0052] The road surface drawing unit mainly consists of a light source 30 and a lens 10. Light L1, which is part of the light emitted from the light source 30, is incident on the lens 10, and the emitted light forms a drawing pattern M1 to illuminate the road surface GR.

[0053] The optical unit is mainly composed of the light source 30 and the pedal reflector 20, and another portion of the light emitted from the light source 30 is reflected by the pedal reflector 20 as light L2, and the reflected light forms the distribution of light LD1 of the turn signal lamp.

[0054] That is, the two units share the light source 30. As shown in Figure 2 , the optical axis Al of the light source 30 is directed to the right of the front and is inclined slightly downward from the horizontal. The lens 10 is disposed on this optical axis Al. The light of the light source 30 is mainly incident on the lens 10 as light LI, and the rest is incident on the pedal reflector 20 as light L2. Although the pedal reflector 20 is not disposed on the optical axis Al of the light source 30, the light emitted from the pedal reflector 20 is configured so that the distribution of light LD1 formed satisfies the necessary distribution of light required by the regulations (maximum luminosity, maximum angle to the left and right, etc.) of the turn signal lamp.

[0055] In the present embodiment, the lamp cover 50 is a transparent lens, and the emitted light of each unit is emitted as it is to the front of the vehicle C via the lamp cover 50. A light diffusion lens such as a cylindrical lens can also be used in the lamp cover 50 to diffuse the emitted light from the optical unit. In this case, the portion through which the emitted light from the road tracing unit passes is preferably a transparent lens. In addition, the pedal reflector 20 and the lens 10 are disposed in the left-right direction with a deviation, and the light emitted to the right from the light source 30 is also incident on the pedal reflector 20 (see (B) in Figure 3 Figure 4 It is to be noted that the light L2a passes to the right of the lens 10 (the direction of the front of the paper), and does not pass through the lens 10.

[0056] (Lens)

[0057] The lens 10 will be described in detail using Figure 4 . Figure 4 is a side view conceptually showing the light source 30 and the lens 10. Figure 4 The right view of is a front view of the lens 10 viewed from the emission surface.

[0058] Figure 1 As shown in , the lens 10 is disposed in a state inclined slightly downward from the horizontal. The light source 30 is disposed on the approximately focal point of the lens 10, and the light mainly from the light source 30 directed obliquely downward in the front (the direction of the optical axis) is incident on the lens 10 as light LI.

[0059] The lens 10 has an incident surface 11 on which the light LI is incident, and an emission surface 12 from which the light LI is emitted. In the present embodiment, the incident surface 11 has a substantially planar shape. On the other hand, the emission surface 12 has a shape convex toward the emission direction of the light.

[0060] The exit surface 12 of the lens 10 is formed by connecting three curved surfaces having different curvatures, and is divided into a first region 12a located at a lower portion and constituted by a curved surface, a second region 12b located at a central portion and constituted by a most protruding curved surface, and a third region 12c located at an upper portion and constituted by a curved surface. That is, the first region 12a and the second region 12b are divided by an intersection line CL1 at which curved surfaces having different curvatures intersect each other, and the second region 12b and the third region 12c are divided by an intersection line CL2 at which curved surfaces having different curvatures intersect each other.

[0061] The intersection line CL1 and the intersection line CL2 have a substantially inverted V-shaped trajectory which becomes convex upward. With such intersection lines CL1, CL2, the regions 12a, 12b, 12c all substantially become regions having a substantially inverted V-shape when viewed from the front.

[0062] If light is emitted from the light source 30, a portion of the emitted light propagates toward the front obliquely downward, and is incident on the drawing lens as light L1 toward the entrance surface 11 of the drawing lens. Thereafter, a lower portion of the light L1 is transmitted through a substantially lower portion of the lens 10, and is emitted from the first region 12a toward the front obliquely downward. In the present embodiment, the shape of the first region 12a is set to a shape such that light emitted from the region 12a is refracted to substantially the same shape as the shape of the region 12a. As described above, the first region 12a has a substantially inverted V-shape. Thus, the light L1 component emitted from the first region 12a is shaped based on the substantially inverted V-shape of the first region 12a, and becomes light L1a having a substantially inverted V-shape.

[0063] In addition, a central portion of the light L1 is transmitted through a substantially central portion of the lens 10, and is emitted from the second region 12b toward the front obliquely downward. In the present embodiment, the shape of the second region 12b is set to a shape such that light emitted from the region 12b is refracted to substantially the same shape as the shape of the region 12b. As described above, the second region 12b has a substantially inverted V-shape. Thus, the light L1 component emitted from the second region 12b is shaped based on the substantially inverted V-shape of the second region 12b, and becomes light L1b having a substantially inverted V-shape.

[0064] In addition, an upper portion of the light L1 is transmitted through a substantially upper portion of the lens 10, and is emitted from the third region 12c toward the front obliquely downward. In the present embodiment, the shape of the third region 12c is set to a shape such that light emitted from the region 12c is refracted to substantially the same shape as the shape of the region 12c. As described above, the third region 12c has a substantially inverted V-shape. Thus, the light L1 component emitted from the third region 12c is shaped based on the substantially inverted V-shape of the third region 12c, and becomes light L1c having a substantially inverted V-shape.

[0065] Thus, as a result of the light Lla, Llb, Llc exiting, a drawn pattern Ml is drawn on the road surface GR at a prescribed distance ahead. The drawn pattern Ml includes a mark Mla drawn by the light Lla projected onto the road surface GR, a mark Mlb drawn by the light Llb projected onto the road surface GR, and a mark Mlc drawn by the light Llc projected onto the road surface GR. Note that the prescribed distance can be, for example, a distance of 1 m or more and 5 m or less from the vehicle C.

[0066] Next, the marks Mla, Mlb, and Mlc will be described.

[0067] As described above, the first region 12a and the second region 12b are divided by the intersection line CLl at which the curved surfaces having different curvatures intersect each other. Thus, the direction in which the light Lla refracted from the region below, i.e., the first region 12a, across the intersection line CLl is different from the direction in which the light Llb refracted from the region above, i.e., the second region 12b, across the intersection line CLl. In the present embodiment, the curved surface forming the first region 12a and the curved surface forming the second region 12b are shaped so that the light Lla and the light Llb propagate separately toward the obliquely downward direction ahead. More specifically, the curved surface of the first region 12a is shaped so that the light Lla reaches a first position Gra closest to the vehicle C on the road surface GR. In addition, the curved surface of the second region 12b is shaped so that the light Llb reaches a second position Grb separated from the first position Gra and located ahead of the first position Gra. Thus, the mark Mla drawn by the light Lla on the road surface GR and the mark Mlb drawn by the light Llb on the road surface GR are projected separately onto the road surface GR while being separated from each other.

[0068] In addition, as described above, the second region 12b and the third region 12c are divided by the intersection line CL2 at which the curved surfaces having different curvatures intersect each other. Thus, the direction in which the light Llb refracted from the region below, i.e., the second region 12b, across the intersection line CL2 is different from the direction in which the light Llc refracted from the region above, i.e., the third region 12c, across the intersection line CL2. In the present embodiment, the curved surface forming the second region 12b and the curved surface forming the third region 12c are shaped so that the light Llb and the light Llc propagate separately toward the obliquely downward direction ahead. More specifically, the curved surface of the third region 12c is shaped so that the light Llc reaches a third position Grc separated from the second position Grb and located ahead of the second position Grb. Thus, the mark Mlb drawn by the light Llb on the road surface GR and the mark Mlc drawn by the light Llc on the road surface GR are projected separately onto the road surface GR while being separated from each other.

[0069] Thus, the light Lla, Llb, Llc shaped into the substantially inverted V-shape propagates obliquely downward in the front direction, and reaches the road surface GR separately from each other. As a result, the depiction pattern Ml projected on the road surface GR is such that the substantially inverted V-shaped mark Mla projected by the light Lla at the first position Gra, the substantially V-shaped mark Mlb projected by the light Llb at the second position Grb, and the substantially inverted V-shaped mark Mlc projected by the light Llc at the third position Grc are arranged in the traveling direction separately from each other (see Figure 2 ).

[0070] Thus, the depiction pattern Ml shows the characteristic that the substantially inverted V-shaped marks Mla, Mlb, Mlc are arranged in the traveling direction, and therefore a visual check of the depiction pattern Ml leads to the idea that the vehicle C is scheduled to travel in the direction indicated by the substantially inverted V-shape.

[0071] In order to form the depiction pattern Ml in which the substantially inverted V-shaped marks Mla, Mlb, Mlc are arranged in three, it is preferable to set the proportions of the first region 12a, the second region 12b, and the third region 12c, for example, in the main view to be 1 : 1 : 1. In addition, the shape of the exit surface 12 that forms the depiction pattern Ml is preferably a shape based on a substantially spherical surface.

[0072] In the present embodiment, the optical axis Al of the lens 10 of the vehicle lamp 1 mounted on the right side faces the front direction slightly to the right side (see Figure 3 and Figure 1 ). Thus, as shown in Figure 5 , the substantially inverted V-shaped marks Mla, Mlb, Mlc are projected to the road surface GR in the front right direction as the irradiation direction, separately in the irradiation direction. A visual check of this leads to the idea that the vehicle C changes the traveling direction to the right side of the vehicle.

[0073] (EFFECTS)

[0074] The vehicle lamp 1 configured as described above projects the exit light of one common light source 30 as the light distribution LDl of a turn signal lamp to the front of the vehicle, and projects the depiction pattern Ml to the road surface GR. Since the irradiation is performed in association with the irradiation purpose, the functional effects are high by the synergistic effects of both.

[0075] As the optical unit, the emergent light of the light source 30 is reflected by the pedal reflector 20 to form a prescribed distribution of light LD1 and is emitted. As the delineation unit, the emergent light of the light source 30 is made incident on the lens 10 to form a prescribed delineation pattern M1 and is projected onto the road surface. The lighting and extinguishing of the two units are performed by the lighting and extinguishing of the common light source 30, and the lighting and extinguishing of the distribution of light LD1 and the delineation pattern M1 are naturally linked. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 does not require complicated control as either the optical unit or the road surface delineation unit. The configuration is simple, and the size of the vehicle lamp can be reduced.

[0076] (Second Embodiment)

[0077] The second embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted. Figure 5 A vehicle C equipped with the vehicle lamp 101 of the second embodiment is shown. Figure 5 (A) is a back perspective view, Figure 5 (B) is a plan view, Figure 5 (C) is a side view.

[0078] As shown in Figure 6 , the vehicle lamp 101 of the second embodiment is a back-up lamp installed on the back upper portion of a large vehicle C. The vehicle lamp 101 forms a distribution of light LD2 of a back-up lamp when the vehicle C moves backward, and flickers it to inform the driver of a vehicle behind and a pedestrian of the movement of the vehicle C backward. At the same time, a delineation pattern M2 of a rectangle that extends long toward the rear is formed. The vehicle lamp 101 is configured in a pair left and right, and is installed on the left and right side edge portions of the back of the vehicle. Since each vehicle lamp 101 projects the delineation pattern M1 of a rectangle toward the rear, two parallel light rays that extend from the vehicle C toward the rear are projected as a track of the vehicle C retreating. Thus, the pedestrian, light vehicle, and the like that can exist in the vicinity of the rear that becomes a blind spot of the vehicle C are also informed of the vehicle retreating to attract attention and movement.

[0079] The vehicle lamp 101 flickers the delineation pattern M2 at the same time as the distribution of light LD2, and performs irradiation for the same purpose of informing the vehicle retreating, and thus the irradiation effect is high.

[0080] (Configuration of the Vehicle Lamp 101)

[0081] Next, the configuration of the vehicle lamp 101 will be described. Figure 6 The vehicle lamp 101 is shown, Figure 6 (A) is a perspective view, Figure 7 (B) is a side view. In order to show the internal configuration, the lamp cover is shown by a broken line. Figure 6is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle lamp 101. Since it is a backup lamp, the direction of light irradiation is opposite to that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the explanation of the lamp of the present embodiment, the rear side is referred to as the surface side, and the front side is referred to as the back side. The backup lamp irradiates the surface side.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lamp 101 includes a lamp body 140, a lamp cover 150, a lens 110, a fixing member 160, and a light source 130. Figure 7 Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lamp 101 includes a lamp body 140, a lamp cover 150, a lens 110, a fixing member 160, and a light source 130.

[0083] The lamp cover 150 is a frame formed of a resin, glass, or the like having light transmissivity, and is open on one side. The planar lamp body 140 is attached to the open portion of the lamp cover 150, and a lamp chamber S is formed on the inner side. The light source 130 and the lens 110 are disposed in the lamp chamber S. Since the lamp cover 150 having light transmissivity becomes the main body of the frame, the light diffusion angle of the vehicle lamp 101 can be increased, and the visual confirmation range of the irradiation light can be expanded.

[0084] The lens 110 is a depiction lens that forms incident light into a prescribed depiction pattern, like the lens 10 of the first embodiment. The lens 110 of the present embodiment forms incident light into a depiction pattern of a rectangle that is long in the emission direction.

[0085] The light source 130 is the same as the light source 30 of the first embodiment, and emits light from the attached light emitting element, i.e., LED. The emitted light is white light that is determined as the range of backup lamp light, and a portion of the emitted light is incident on the lens 110 to be formed into the depiction pattern M2, so the projected depiction pattern M2 is composed of white light.

[0086] A rectangular hole 141 is provided in the center of the lamp body 140, and the fixing member 160 is engaged from the back side (front direction in the present embodiment).

[0087] The fixing member 160 is a mounting member of the light source 130 and the lens 110, and has a base portion 161 that is inclined upward toward the surface side (rear direction in the present embodiment). The inclined surface of the surface side of the base portion 161 is a mounting surface 162, and the light source 130 is mounted in the center of the mounting surface 162. The lens 110 is fixed to the mounting surface 162 by sandwiching the light source 130 with the leg 115 that extends from the side surface of the lens 110 toward the back side. The back side of the fixing member 160 becomes a heat sink 163, and radiates the heat of the light source 130 to the outside. Therefore, the fixing member 160 is composed of a metal member having good thermal conductivity.

[0088] ​When the fixing member 160 is fixed to the lamp body 140, the fixing member 160 on which the lens 110 and the light source 130 are mounted approaches the lamp body 140 from the back surface side, and the protruding lens 110 and the upper portion of the inclined base portion 161 enter the lamp chamber S from the hole 141. Then, in a state where the lens 110 fixed to the mounting surface 162 is disposed in the lamp chamber S, the fixing member 160 is fixed to the back surface side of the lamp body 140 using the flange portion 164 provided around the outer circumferential surface.

[0089] Using Figure 8 The lamp cover 150 will be described in detail. Figure 8 (A) in FIG. 1 mainly shows the outer surface side that becomes an exit surface, Figure 8 (B) in FIG. 1 mainly shows the inner surface side that becomes an entrance surface.

[0090] The lamp cover 150 is an optical member that makes the inner surface side formed in a box shape an entrance surface and makes the outer surface side an exit surface. Exit light from the light source 130 disposed in the lamp chamber S is incident from the entrance surface on the inner side, and light based on the characteristics of each constituent surface is emitted from the exit surface on the outer side.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 1, the lamp cover 150 has a first surface 151, a second surface 152, and a third surface 153 that differ in characteristics in the main irradiation direction of the exit light of the light source 130, that is, the surface side. Figure 9 The first surface 151 constitutes an upper region of the center of the surface of the lamp cover 150. The entrance surface 151a of the first surface 151 becomes a form in which smaller convex surfaces are arranged in a matrix shape. Light incident to the first surface 151 thus constituted is diffused to the periphery while being emitted from the exit surface.

[0092] The second surface 152 is located below the first surface 151. The first surface 151 and the third surface 153 are vertical surfaces, and in relation to this, the second surface 152 becomes an inclined surface inclined toward the back surface side in the downward direction. The entrance surface 152a of the second surface 152 becomes a plane. Light incident to the second surface 152 thus constituted is emitted from the exit surface while maintaining the form of incidence.

[0093]

[0094] ​The third surface 153 is disposed to the left and right of the first surface 151 and the second surface 152, forming the side regions of the surface of the lampshade 150. The third surface 153 extends vertically in the vertical direction, and in the horizontal direction, its side edge is inclined towards the rear side relative to the first surface 151. That is, the third surface 153 disposed on the right side is slightly facing to the right, and the third surface 153 disposed on the left side is slightly facing to the left. The incident surface 153a of the third surface 153 is in the form of a V-shaped groove extending vertically. Light incident on the third surface 153 thus configured diffuses left and right and exits from the exit surface.

[0095] The path of the light emitted from light source 130 is explained. Figure 9 It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view used to illustrate the optical path of light emitted from light source 130.

[0096] like Figure 9 As shown, since the base portion 161 is inclined from vertical to the surface side, the mounted lens 110 and light source 130 are also inclined from vertical to the surface side. That is, the optical axis A2 of the light source 130 is inclined from horizontal to downward, and the lens 110 and the second surface 152 of the lampshade 150 are arranged on this inclined optical axis A2. Therefore, the light emitted from the light source 130 mainly enters the lens 110 as light L3, and other light, mainly light emitted upward, enters the first surface 151 of the lampshade 150 as light L4.

[0097] Similar to the first embodiment, the vehicle lamp 101 includes an optical unit that functions as a beacon light (reversing light) and a road surface drawing unit that functions as a pattern projected onto the road surface.

[0098] The road surface drawing unit mainly consists of a light source 130 and a lens 110. Light L3, which is part of the light emitted from the light source 130, is incident on the lens 110, exits the lens 110, and passes through the second surface 152. The second surface 152 is a lens with two planar surfaces. In order to make the incident light clearly visible, the lens 110 shapes the light L3 into a rectangle, which is then used as the drawing pattern M2 to illuminate the road surface GR.

[0099] The optical unit consists of a light source 130 and a lampshade 150. Specifically, the first surface 151 and the third surface 153 of the lampshade 150 are used as optical units. A portion of the light emitted from the light source 130 that differs from light L3, particularly light emitted upwards from the optical axis A2, is incident on the lampshade 150 as L4, diffuses, and exits, primarily constituting the light distribution LD2 of the reversing light. Furthermore, in... Figure 3 Light emitted from light source 130 in a left-right direction (not shown) is incident on the third surface 153, diffuses to the left and right, and is emitted out, forming part of the light distribution LD2. Light distribution LD2 is formed by light emitted from surfaces other than the second surface 152.

[0100] Thus, similar to the first embodiment, the optical unit and the road surface drawing unit share the same light source 130. The light from the light source 130 is mainly incident on the lens 110 as light L3, and illuminates the road surface GR as a drawing pattern M2 via the second surface 152. Other light besides light L3 is incident on the lamp cover 150 as light L4 and emitted as light distribution LD2. Here, the light distribution LD2 formed by the lamp cover 150 is configured to meet the regulatory requirements for the necessary light distribution of the reversing light (maximum luminous intensity, maximum left and right angle, etc.).

[0101] In this embodiment, light diffusion lenses are mainly used on the first surface 151 and the third surface 153 of the lampshade 150 as constituent elements of the optical unit. However, light diffusion lenses can also be used on all constituent surfaces of the lampshade 150 except for the second surface 152 located on the optical axis A2, i.e., the surface 154 which is the peripheral surface adjacent to the first surface 151, the second surface 152, and the third surface 153, to expand the illumination range of the light distribution LD2.

[0102] Thus, other known configurations can also be used in the optical unit. For example, by using a reflective or direct-type lamp unit based on a reflector, a portion of the emitted light from the light source can be used to draw a pattern, and the remaining emitted light can be used for light distribution formation, thereby providing a vehicle lamp with a simple configuration and high functional performance.

[0103] (Configuration of optical and drawing units)

[0104] Here, the relative configuration of the optical unit and the drawing unit will be explained.

[0105] In the vehicle lamp 1 of the first embodiment, such as Figure 8 As shown, the optical axis A1 of the light source 30 points downwards, and the angle of inclination from the horizontal plane is called angle α1. In this embodiment, angle α1 is relatively small, approximately 20 degrees. In the vehicle lamp 1, the pedal reflector 20 forming the light distribution LD1 is positioned below the lens 10.

[0106] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 101 of the second embodiment, such as Figure 10 As shown, the optical axis A2 of the light source 130 points downwards, and the angle of inclination from the horizontal plane is called angle α2. Angle α2 is larger than angle α1, and in this embodiment, angle α2 exceeds 30 degrees. In the vehicle lamp 101, the second surface 152 of the lamp cover 150, which mainly forms the light distribution LD2, is located above the lens 110.

[0107] When the configuration of the light source (particularly the mounting height) is the same, if the angle of the optical axis below is large, the projected pattern is projected toward the vicinity of the vehicle, and if the angle of the optical axis is small, the projected pattern on the road surface is projected away from the vehicle. When the angle of the optical axis is the same, the higher the mounting height of the vehicle lamp installed, the longer the projection distance, and the projected pattern is projected away from the vehicle, and the lower the mounting height, the shorter the projection distance, and the projected pattern is projected close to the vehicle.

[0108] With respect to the projected pattern on the road surface, in order to make the shape clear, it is desirable that the luminosity be high. Therefore, the optical member that forms the projected pattern is disposed on the optical axis, and light having a high luminosity that mainly exits from the front of the light source is used for the formation of the projected pattern, and other light is formed as the light distribution.

[0109] The position at which the vehicle lamp 1 as a front turn signal lamp is installed is relatively low compared to the vicinity of the bumper, and if the angle α1 is increased, the projected pattern M1 on the road surface GR is only in the vicinity of the vehicle C, and cannot attract the attention of the surroundings. In order to project the projected pattern M1 at a distance away from the vehicle to some extent, the angle α1 is relatively small. Since the angle of the optical axis A1 of the light source 30 from the horizontal plane is small, the lens 10 that forms the projected pattern M1 is disposed near the horizontal plane, and the pedal reflector 20 is disposed relatively below the lens 10. Therefore, the pedal reflector 20 mainly uses light that exits downward from the optical axis A1 to form the light distribution LD1.

[0110] On the other hand, the vehicle lamp 101 as a back lamp is installed on the upper portion of the large vehicle C, and thus the installation position is relatively high. By relatively increasing the angle α2 of the optical axis A2 of the light source 130 from the horizontal plane, a rectangular projected pattern M2 that extends long away from the vicinity of the vehicle is projected. Since the angle of the optical axis A2 of the light source 130 from the horizontal plane is large, the lens 110 that forms the projected pattern M2 is disposed below away from the horizontal plane, and the second face 152 that mainly forms the light distribution LD2 is disposed relatively above the lens 110. Therefore, the second face 152 mainly uses light that exits upward from the optical axis A2 to form the light distribution LD2.

[0111] That is, it is preferable that the drawing unit is disposed above the optical unit in the case where the vehicle lamp is installed at a relatively high height on the vehicle, and the drawing unit is disposed below the optical unit in the case where the vehicle lamp is installed at a relatively low height on the vehicle. In more detail, in the case where the height at which the common light source is installed is relatively high, the optical member provided in the drawing unit that forms the drawing pattern is preferably disposed below the optical member provided in the optical unit that forms the light distribution and emits light. In the case where the height at which the vehicle lamp is installed is relatively low, it is preferable that the disposition is reversed. Thereby, a clear and bright drawing pattern can be drawn on the road surface, and the remaining light source emission light can be effectively used to form the light distribution. In addition, the entire unit can be downsized by appropriate disposition of each unit.

[0112] In addition, the disposition of the drawing unit and the optical unit is determined not only in consideration of the installation height but also in consideration of the tilt angle. For example, in the case where the drawing pattern is projected relatively far, the tilt angle is set to be small. In this case, the drawing unit is disposed above, and the optical unit is disposed below. Further, in the case where the drawing pattern is projected to the left and right directions, the drawing unit can be disposed to the left or right of the optical unit.

[0113] Since the drawing unit and the optical unit use a common light source, the disposition of the light source becomes the most important, and next, the disposition of the optical member of the drawing unit that forms the drawing pattern is determined, and finally, the disposition of the optical light source of the drawing unit that forms the light distribution is determined. In this way, if the relative disposition of the drawing unit and the optical unit on the road surface is determined in accordance with the height at which the light source is disposed, the tilt angle of the optical axis, the optimal disposition can be achieved as a whole, and the respective emissions can be appropriately performed.

[0114] (Variants)

[0115] Although the preferred embodiments of the present application have been described, the present application is not limited to the above-described configurations. Hereinafter, in Figure 11 and Figure 10 variants are shown.

[0116] Figure 11 are variants of the light source 130. The light sources 130A, 130B each use three light emitting elements 131 in order to increase the luminance. In the light source 130A, the three light emitting elements 131 are disposed in parallel in the horizontal direction, and in the light source 130B, the three light emitting elements 131 are disposed in parallel in the vertical direction.

[0117] In the case where the plurality of light emitting elements 131 are arranged laterally side by side, the width of the light source image is wide, and is suitable for a depiction pattern having a width. In particular, by appropriately selecting the projection distance, the outline of the depiction pattern can be made clear, and unevenness in brightness of the entire depiction pattern can be suppressed. That is, the light source 130A is suitable for the first embodiment. By using the light source 131A in the vehicle lamp 1, the brightness of the three marks Mla, Mlb, and Mlc can be kept equal, and in addition, the outline of the substantially inverted V shape can be made clear.

[0118] In the case where the plurality of light emitting elements 131 are arranged longitudinally side by side, the outline of the depiction pattern in the width direction can be suppressed from being blurred, and the depiction pattern can be irradiated so as to extend to a distance. That is, the light source 130B is suitable for the second embodiment. By using the light source 131B in the vehicle lamp 101, a linear depiction pattern M2 that is long in the longitudinal direction and has a clear outline can be projected.

[0119] By adopting a configuration of the light emitting elements corresponding to the shape of the depiction pattern thus projected, the brightness and distinctness of the depiction pattern can be improved.

[0120] Figure 11 is a modification of the road surface depiction unit of the vehicle lamp 101.

[0121] In the vehicle lamp 101A shown in (A) in Figure 11 , the road surface depiction unit is mainly composed of a light source 130, a condensing lens 116, a light shutter 117, and a projection lens 118. The condensing lens 116 is a collimator lens that makes the emergent light of the light source 130 into parallel light and emits it to the light shutter 117. The light shutter 117 has a slit 117a shaped like the desired depiction pattern, and the light L3' that has passed through the slit is projected as the desired depiction pattern onto the road surface by the projection lens 118.

[0122] In the vehicle lamp 101B shown in (B) in ​ , the road surface depiction unit is mainly composed of a light source 130 and three depiction lenses 119. The depiction lenses 119 have a circular outline, and emit the incident light as a simple circular depiction pattern. The light L31, the light L32, and the light L33 emitted from the three depiction lenses 119 are formed as circular depiction patterns, respectively. Thus, three successive circular depiction patterns are projected onto the road surface. In this way, the lens itself can also be made into the shape of the depiction pattern, and in addition, a plurality of lenses can also be used in order to form one depiction pattern.

[0123] The above describes the preferred embodiments of the present application, but the above-described embodiments are one example of the present application, and they can be combined based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and such a manner is also included in the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A vehicle lighting fixture with road surface mapping function, characterized in that, The vehicle lamp has a road surface drawing function in addition to a function as a headlamp or a beacon lamp, The vehicle lamp includes an optical unit functioning as a headlamp or a beacon lamp and a road surface drawing unit projecting a drawing pattern onto a road surface, The optical unit and the road surface drawing unit perform irradiation associated with an irradiation purpose, The optical unit irradiates a part of the light emitted from the light source as a prescribed light distribution, The road surface drawing unit projects another part of the light emitted from the light source as a drawing pattern associated with the irradiation purpose of the optical unit onto a road surface, The road surface drawing unit includes a lens that forms incident light into a prescribed drawing pattern and emits the light, The optical unit includes a footboard reflector, The footboard reflector is disposed in the left-right direction so as to be offset from the lens, A part of the light emitted from the light source does not pass through the lens.

2. The vehicle lamp having a road surface drawing function according to claim 1, wherein The light source commonly used in the optical unit and the road surface drawing unit includes a plurality of light emitting elements, The plurality of light emitting elements are disposed in accordance with the shape of the drawing pattern projected by the road surface drawing unit.

3. The vehicle lamp having a road surface drawing function according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The optical unit determines the relative disposition with the road surface drawing unit in accordance with the height and angle at which the light source is disposed.

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