Vehicle lighting

Abstract

A vehicle lamp is provided that can improve the degree of freedom of the configuration position of a road surface illumination unit. The vehicle lamp (10) comprises: a road surface illumination unit (20) that forms an illumination pattern Pi around a vehicle (1) using light from a road surface light-emitting portion (24); and a shielding portion (41) that covers the road surface light-emitting portion when viewed from the front. The vehicle lamp also comprises a lamp unit (14) housed in a lamp chamber (11) together with the road surface illumination unit (20), and the road surface illumination unit (20) can also be turned on and off in conjunction with the lamp unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle lamp. Background Art

[0002] It is believed that a vehicle lamp forms an illumination pattern on the road surface around the vehicle (for example, see Patent Document 1). This vehicle lamp includes a display pattern projection unit as a road surface illumination unit, which includes a light source and a projection lens, within a lamp chamber. The projection lens projects light emitted from the light source to form an illumination pattern in a position visible to the vehicle's occupants and surrounding people.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-144725 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] However, to form an illumination pattern, this vehicle lamp projects light from the projection lens of the road surface illumination unit. Therefore, the projection lens emits visible light during projection, forming the road surface illuminating portion of the road surface illumination unit. Furthermore, the vehicle lamp includes a lamp unit in addition to the road surface illumination unit within the lamp compartment, and the lamp emitting portion of this lamp unit also emits visible light. Therefore, the vehicle lamp has a fixed positional relationship between the road surface illuminating portion and the lamp emitting portion when viewed from the front, limiting the placement of the road surface illuminating unit.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle lamp capable of increasing the degree of freedom in the arrangement position of a road surface illuminating unit.

[0009] Solutions to Problems

[0010] The vehicle lamp disclosed herein is characterized by comprising: a road surface illuminating unit that forms an illumination pattern around the vehicle using light from a road surface emitting portion; and a shielding portion that covers the road surface emitting portion when the road surface illuminating unit is viewed from the front.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the vehicle lamp of the present disclosure, the degree of freedom of the arrangement position of the road surface illumination unit can be increased. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 This is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the vehicle lamp according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is mounted on a vehicle and forms an illumination pattern.

[0014] Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram showing a vehicle lamp as viewed from the traveling direction, and also shows an arrangement area at a predetermined interval from the linked turn signal lamp unit.

[0015] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of a road surface illuminating unit in the vehicle lamp of the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 It is an explanatory diagram showing a state where the projection lens of the road surface illumination unit is viewed from the forward direction.

[0017] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an extended tube piece is provided in the road surface illuminating unit.

[0018] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram showing a virtual cylindrical portion superimposed on an extended cylindrical piece.

[0019] Figure 7 This is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a shielding portion is formed by cutting out an extended cylindrical piece from a virtual cylindrical portion.

[0020] Figure 8 It is an explanatory diagram showing a vehicle lamp according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Hereinafter, various embodiments of a vehicle lamp 10 as an example of the vehicle lamp of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 In order to easily understand that the road surface illuminating unit 20 is provided in the vehicle lamp 10 , the road surface illuminating unit 20 is emphasized relative to the vehicle 1 , but this does not necessarily correspond to the actual situation.

[0022] Example 1

[0023] use Figures 1 to 7 A vehicle lamp 10 according to Example 1 of one embodiment of the vehicle lamp disclosed herein will be described. Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment is used as a lamp for a vehicle 1 such as an automobile, and has functions such as a headlamp and a turn signal lamp, and further has the function of forming an illumination pattern Pi on a road surface 2 in the vicinity in front of the vehicle 1. The vicinity in front of the vehicle 1 includes a proximity area closer to the vehicle 1 than the headlamp area illuminated by the headlamp provided on the vehicle 1, and may also partially include the headlamp area.

[0024] The vehicle lamp 10 is arranged on the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle 1. Figure 2As shown in FIG. 1 , a lamp housing 11 is formed by covering an outer lens with an open front end of the lamp housing. The vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment is provided with a low beam unit 12, a high beam unit 13, a turn signal unit 14, and a road surface illumination unit 20 as lamp units in the lamp housing 11 (see FIG. 1 ). Figures 1 to 3 wait).

[0025] The low beam unit 12 can form a light distribution for meeting a vehicle with a cutoff line, and by lighting it alone, it can become a light distribution for meeting a vehicle (so-called low beam). The high beam unit 13 can overlap a portion and form a light distribution for driving above the light distribution for meeting a vehicle, and by lighting it simultaneously with the low beam unit 12, it can become a light distribution for driving (so-called high beam). The turn signal unit 14 is a component used when the vehicle 1 turns left or right, and by lighting the turn signal units 14 of the left and right vehicle lamps 10 simultaneously, it also functions as a hazard warning light. The turn signal unit 14 of Example 1 is a sequential light composed of a plurality of lighting portions 14a arranged in the vehicle width direction. When lit, the lighting portions 14a are lit sequentially from the inside to the outside of the vehicle 1. Therefore, each lighting portion 14a becomes a light-emitting portion of the turn signal unit 14 as a lamp unit.

[0026] The road surface illuminating unit 20 forms an illuminating pattern Pi on the road surface 2 in the vicinity in front of the vehicle 1. The road surface illuminating unit 20 projects an optical axis Lp (see FIG. Figure 3 In the following description, in the road surface illuminating unit 20, the direction in which the projection optical axis Lp, which is the direction of the irradiated light, extends is referred to as the optical axis direction (Z in the drawings), the vertical direction when the optical axis direction is along the horizontal plane is referred to as the up-down direction (Y in the drawings), and the direction (horizontal direction) perpendicular to the optical axis direction and the up-down direction is referred to as the width direction (X in the drawings) (see FIG. Figure 3 The road surface lighting unit 20 of the first embodiment is provided on the outside of the vehicle 1 (when viewed from the front) in the vehicle width direction relative to the lighting units 14a of the turn signal lamp unit 14. Figure 2 on the right side).

[0027] like Figure 3As shown, the road surface illumination unit 20 comprises a light source 21, a condenser lens 22, a filter 23, and a projection lens 24 housed in a housing 25, forming a single projection optical system and constituting a projection-type road surface projection unit. The housing 25 is composed of a semi-cylindrical lower member 25a and an upper member 25b. With the aforementioned components (22 to 24) mounted on the lower member 25a, the lower member 25a and the upper member 25b are engaged with each other via a mounting platform 26. The housing 25 is provided with a condenser lens groove 25c for fitting the condenser lens 22, a filter groove (not shown) for fitting the filter 23, and a projection lens groove 25d (only the lower member 25a side is shown) for fitting the projection lens 24. In addition, in the box body 25, the lower part 25a is provided with fixing protrusions 25e in pairs in the width direction, and the upper part 25b is provided with fixing holes 25f in pairs in the width direction (only shown in the figure). Figure 3 The front side of the housing 25 allows each fixing protrusion 25e to fit into each fixing hole 25f. Furthermore, the housing 25 is provided with connecting protrusions 25g (only the upper side is shown) in pairs in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the housing 25 of Example 1 is provided with a shielding portion 41 at the front end (the front end in the optical axis direction). This shielding portion 41 will be described later. Furthermore, the shape of the housing 25 can be appropriately set and is not limited to the structure of Example 1.

[0028] The mounting base 26, on which the light source 21 is mounted, is formed from thermally conductive aluminum die-casting or resin and includes a mounting portion 26a and a heat dissipation portion 26b. The mounting portion 26a is where the light source 21 (its substrate 33) is mounted and is flat and perpendicular to the optical axis. Connecting walls 26c are provided on the mounting portion 26a, surrounding the light source 21. Connecting holes 26d are formed in pairs in the vertical direction on the connecting walls 26c. Connecting protrusions 25g of the housing 25, formed by the mating of the lower and upper components 25a and 25b, are inserted into corresponding connecting holes 26d, thereby connecting the housing 25. The heat dissipation portion 26b functions as a heat sink that dissipates heat generated by the light source 21 to the outside. This heat dissipation portion 26b is continuous with the mounting portion 26a and includes a plurality of heat dissipation fins 26e. The heat dissipation portion 26b dissipates heat generated by the light source 21 mounted on the mounting portion 26a to the outside through the heat dissipation fins 26e.

[0029] The light source unit 21 includes a first light source 31, a second light source 32, and a substrate 33 for mounting the first light source 31 and the second light source 32. The first light source 31 and the second light source 32 are composed of light-emitting elements such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). In Example 1, the first light source 31 and the second light source 32 emit amber light through a Lambertian distribution centered on the emission light axis. The amber light refers to light that has a maximum peak in the amber wavelength band in a graph with the vertical axis as the light amount and the horizontal axis as the wavelength, and is substantially close to amber monochromatic light. In addition, as far as the first light source 31 and the second light source 32 are concerned, as long as the color (wavelength band), the form of distribution, the number of colors (the number of peaks in the above-mentioned graph), etc. are appropriately set, light of other colors can also be emitted, and white light can also be emitted, and it is not limited to the structure of Example 1.

[0030] The substrate 33 is mounted on the installation portion 26a of the installation platform 26. It is equipped with the first and second light sources 31 and 32 and a lighting control circuit. The lighting control circuit supplies power to the substrate 33 as appropriate, activating the first and second light sources 31 and 32. When mounted on the installation portion 26a of the installation platform 26, the substrate 33 is connected to the housing 25 via the connecting wall 26c. This position allows the substrate 33 to be positioned at the rear end of the housing 25 (the end opposite the projection lens groove 25d in the optical axis direction), facing the condenser lens 22 (its incident surface) housed in the housing 25.

[0031] The condenser lens 22 converges the light emitted from the first and second light sources 31 and 32 and focuses it on the filter 23. In Example 1, the condenser lens 22 is essentially a biconvex lens, with its incident and exit surfaces being free-form surfaces. The condenser lens 22 has flanges 22a at both ends in the width direction. Each flange 22a can be inserted into a condenser lens groove 25c in the housing 25. When the flanges 22a of the condenser lens 22 are inserted into the condenser lens groove 25c, the lens axis coincides with the projection optical axis Lp.

[0032] The filter 23 is an example of a light shielding member that partially passes the light from the first light source 31 and the second light source 32 focused by the condenser lens 22 to form an irradiation pattern Pi. Figure 1 As shown, this illumination pattern Pi comprises three illumination patterns Di arranged diagonally in front of the vehicle 1, in a direction away from the vehicle 1. Each illumination pattern Di is arranged in a widely open V-shape and is of approximately equal size. By arranging the three illumination patterns Di so that the vertices of the V-shape lie approximately in a straight line, the illumination pattern Pi can be made to look like an arrow indicating a predetermined direction from the vehicle 1. The illumination pattern Pi, composed of these three illumination patterns Di, is formed by a filter 23. The filter 23 has the same structure regardless of whether it is located on the left or right side of the vehicle 1.

[0033] like Figure 3 As shown, the filter portion 34 of the optical filter 23 is provided in a filter frame portion 35. The filter frame portion 35 is provided in a circular frame shape surrounding the filter portion 34 and is provided so as to be fit into a filter hole (not shown) of the housing 25.

[0034] The filter portion 34 is formed from a plate-shaped member that substantially blocks the transmission of light, and an illumination slit 36 ​​is provided extending through the member. The illumination slit 36 ​​partially transmits the light from the first light source 31 and the second light source 32, focused by the focusing lens 22, thereby forming the illumination pattern Pi into a predetermined shape. The illumination slit 36 ​​corresponds to the illumination pattern Pi and, in Example 1, is comprised of three slit portions 36a. The three slit portions 36a correspond one-to-one to the three illumination patterns Di and are configured in a widely opened V-shape, similar to each illumination pattern Di. The size and spacing of the three slit portions 36a are set according to the distance from the road surface 2, so that each illumination pattern Di on the road surface 2 has approximately the same size and approximately equal spacing.

[0035] Furthermore, the slits 36a are positioned so as to be rotationally symmetric about the projection optical axis Lp with respect to the positional relationship of the illumination patterns Di of the illumination pattern Pi. Specifically, in the road surface illumination unit 20, the projection lens 24 is reversed to project the filter 23 (illumination slits 36) onto the road surface 2. Therefore, the slits 36a are positioned so as to target the illumination patterns Di on the road surface 2.

[0036] The projection lens 24 includes a lens body 24a that is a convex lens with a circular shape when viewed in the optical axis direction, and a flange 24b surrounding the periphery. In Example 1, the incident surface and the emission surface of the lens body 24a are formed as convex free-form surfaces. The lens body 24a projects the light that has passed through the irradiation slits 36 (the slits 36a) of the filter 23, thereby forming a projection lens. Figure 1 As shown, an irradiation pattern Pi is formed on the road surface 2 inclined with respect to the projection optical axis Lp. The incident surface and the emitting surface may be convex or concave as long as the lens body 24a is a convex lens surface, and are not limited to the structure of the first embodiment.

[0037] The flange portion 24b protrudes from the lens body portion 24a in radial directions centered on the lens axis and extends throughout the entire circumference of the lens axis. The flange portion 24b is configured to fit within the projection lens groove 25d of the housing 25. When the flange portion 24b of the projection lens 24 fits within the projection lens groove 25d, the lens axis coincides with the projection optical axis Lp.

[0038] The road surface lighting unit 20 is assembled as follows. First, the first and second light sources 31, 32 are mounted on the base plate 33, and the light source unit 21 is assembled. This light source unit 21 is then fixed to the mounting portion 26a to form the mounting base 26. Next, the condenser lens 22 is inserted into the condenser lens groove 25c, the filter 23 is inserted into the filter hole (not shown), and the projection lens 24 is inserted into the projection lens groove 25d in the lower member 25a of the housing 25. Furthermore, the upper member 25b is mated with the lower member 25a to form the housing 25. The connecting protrusions 25g of the housing 25 are inserted into the corresponding connecting holes 26d, thereby connecting the housing 25 to the mounting base 26 via the connecting wall 26c. This accommodates the condenser lens 22, filter 23, and projection lens 24 in the housing 25, and connects the light source unit 21 to the housing 25. Thus, the road surface illumination unit 20 is assembled with the condenser lens 22 , the filter 23 , and the projection lens 24 arranged in a predetermined positional relationship in this order from the light source 21 side on the projection optical axis Lp.

[0039] The road surface illumination unit 20 is installed at any position within the lamp housing 11, with its projection optical axis Lp directed obliquely forward and outward of the vehicle 1, and tilted relative to the road surface 2 surrounding the vehicle 1. The road surface illumination unit 20 supplies power from the lighting control circuit via the substrate 33 to the two light sources 31 and 32, enabling them to be properly illuminated and extinguished. Light from the two light sources 31 and 32 is converged by the condenser lens 22 and illuminates the filter 23. After passing through the illumination slits 36 (each slit portion 36a), it is projected by the projection lens 24, forming an illumination pattern Pi on the road surface 2. This illumination pattern Pi comprises three illumination patterns Di arranged in a substantially straight line. In particular, the road surface illumination unit 20 of Example 1 utilizes monochromatic light from the two light sources 31 and 32, significantly minimizing the effects of chromatic aberration in the projection lens 24 and ensuring a clear illumination pattern Pi, i.e., each illumination pattern Di.

[0040] In this manner, the road surface illuminating unit 20 causes the light emitted from the two light sources 31 and 32 to pass through the condenser lens 22 and the filter 23 and finally be emitted from the projection lens 24 to form an illuminating pattern Pi. Therefore, in the road surface illuminating unit 20, the light is emitted through the projection lens 24 to form a bright and visible light-emitting portion for the road surface.

[0041] then, Figures 3 to 7 The structure of the shielding portion 41 will be described. In the road surface illumination unit 20, the shielding portion 41 is a component that prevents the projection lens 24, which serves as the road surface light emitting portion, from being seen from the front, that is, from the forward direction Dg of the vehicle 1. The forward direction Dg is the direction in which the vehicle 1 moves forward and backward, and is the direction facing the vehicle body in the front and rear directions when the vehicle is not turning left or right (see FIG. Figure 1 wait).

[0042] The shielding portion 41 is formed as follows. First, Figure 4 As shown, the road surface illumination unit 20 emits light from a projection lens 24, which serves as a road surface light-emitting portion, along the optical axis (projection optical axis Lp), that is, along the direction of the cylindrical housing 25 formed by the interlocking lower and upper components 25a and 25b. Furthermore, the road surface illumination unit 20 is disposed in the lamp housing 11, facing diagonally forward and outward, and tilted relative to the road surface 2 surrounding the vehicle 1. Therefore, the optical axis is tilted relative to the travel direction Dg. In this case, when the road surface illumination unit 20 is viewed from the front, that is, when the vehicle lamp 10 is viewed from the front of the vehicle 1 in the travel direction Dg, the area enclosed by the two arrows A within the road surface light-emitting portion (projection lens 24) is exposed and visible, illuminating.

[0043] The shielding portion 41 is provided to cover the road surface light-emitting portion when viewed from the front (viewed in the forward direction Dg). Figure 5 As shown, the road surface illumination unit 20 is installed on the vehicle 1 (lamp chamber 11), i.e., tilted at a predetermined angle relative to the road surface 2 and the travel direction Dg. Furthermore, the road surface illumination unit 20 includes an extension tube piece 42 extending from the housing 25 along the optical axis. This extension tube piece 42 does not overlap with the projection lens 24 along the optical axis and has little effect on the projection of the illumination pattern Pi.

[0044] Then, if Figure 6 As shown, in the road surface illumination unit 20, a shielding area 43 is shown overlapping with the extension tube piece 42. The shielding area 43 is equivalent to Figure 4 The area enclosed by the two arrows A is the portion of the extended tube 42 necessary to illuminate and be visible when viewed from the front, and is located forward of the road surface lighting portion (projection lens 24) in the direction of travel Dg. The road surface illumination unit 20 of Example 1 forms an illumination pattern Pi obliquely in front of the vehicle 1, with the front side (the forward direction of the vehicle 1) being located outward of the vehicle lamp 10 in the direction of travel Dg.

[0045] Then, if Figure 7 As shown, in the road surface illumination unit 20, the portion of the extended tube sheet 42 that overlaps with the shielding area 43 ( Figure 6 The portion marked with hatching in the figure is defined as the shielding portion 41. Thus, the shielding portion 41 is formed in a shape that is extended from the housing 25 in the optical axis direction of the road surface illumination unit 20 and is cut away in the advancing direction Dg. In other words, the shielding portion 41 is formed in a shape that is cut away so as to be pointed with the extended housing 25 as the front side in the advancing direction Dg and the front side in the optical axis direction as the front end.

[0046] The shielding portion 41 is formed based on the state of being installed in the vehicle 1 (lamp chamber 11) as described above, and covers the projection lens 24 in the lamp chamber 11 at a position in front of (outside of) the projection lens 24 in the forward direction Dg. Therefore, the shielding portion 41 can prevent the projection lens 24 from being seen when the lamp chamber 11 is viewed from the front in the forward direction Dg, that is, when viewed from the front, as indicated by the two arrows B.

[0047] The road surface illumination unit 20 of Example 1 is linked to the turn signal unit 14. When either left or right turn signal unit 14 is illuminated, the two light sources 31 and 32 located on the illuminated side are illuminated, forming an illumination pattern Pi on the road surface 2. For example, when the vehicle 1 is turning left from a narrow alley with poor visibility into a larger alley, the left turn signal unit 14 flashes, and the road surface illumination unit 20 located on the left front side forms an illumination pattern Pi on the road surface 2. In Example 1, the road surface illumination unit 20 forms an illumination pattern Pi on the road surface 2 simultaneously with the illumination of the innermost lighting portion 14a of the turn signal unit 14 in the vehicle width direction. Each lighting portion 14a forms the illumination pattern Pi during the on / off period, and the illumination pattern Pi is extinguished simultaneously with the extinguishing of the outermost lighting portion 14a. This allows drivers of surrounding vehicles to visually recognize the illumination pattern Pi formed on the road surface 2 even when they cannot visually recognize the vehicle 1.

[0048] Here, a vehicle lamp (hereinafter referred to as the comparative vehicle lamp) is described as a comparative example. The comparative vehicle lamp has the same structure as the vehicle lamp 10, except that a shielding portion is not provided on the road surface illumination unit. The comparative vehicle lamp does not have a shielding portion provided on the road surface illumination unit, so when the lamp chamber is observed from the front, the projection lens (road surface light-emitting portion) of the road surface illumination unit is illuminated and visible. In addition, the road surface illumination unit forms an illumination pattern on the road surface around the vehicle, rather than allowing the surrounding to identify the lighting of the projection lens, so the illumination of the projection lens is visible, which may lead to a reduction in the appearance of the comparative vehicle lamp. This is also the same as the existing vehicle lamps described in the prior art literature.

[0049] In particular, in a vehicle, the intervals between the lighting parts of the lamps that light up in conjunction with each other, as viewed from the front of the vehicle, i.e., the front side in the traveling direction Dg, in other words, on a vertical plane perpendicular to the traveling direction Dg, are within a rule of 75 mm. Figure 2 As shown, the projection lens of the road surface illumination unit must be positioned within an area (the area enclosed by the dotted line, hereinafter referred to as the placement area Ap) within 75 mm from each lighting portion of the linked turn signal unit. Consequently, the comparative vehicle lamp places limitations on the placement of the road surface illumination unit, potentially necessitating an inappropriate design.

[0050] Furthermore, in vehicles, there are rules that require the lighting components of linked lamps to illuminate earlier or simultaneously with the outer components in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, in the comparative vehicle lamps, if the linked turn signal units have a timing function, the timing of lighting the road surface illumination unit is restricted depending on the placement within the placement area Ap. Specifically, when the road surface illumination unit is located at the center position Pc, which is closer to the center than the turn signal unit, it must illuminate before the lighting components of the turn signal unit. Similarly, when the road surface illumination unit is located at the center position Pm, which is the center of the turn signal unit arrangement, it must illuminate midway through the lighting of the turn signal unit's lighting components. When located at the outer position Po, which is further outward than the turn signal unit, it must illuminate after all lighting components of the turn signal unit have illuminated. Therefore, in the comparative vehicle lamps, the placement of the road surface illumination unit within the placement area Ap, relative to the turn signal unit, is determined based on the timing of the illumination pattern, further restricting the placement of the road surface illumination unit. In other words, in the comparative vehicle lamp, the timing for forming the illumination pattern is determined according to the arrangement position of the road surface illumination unit relative to the turn signal unit.

[0051] Furthermore, the road surface illumination unit is equipped with a projection lens to create a desired illumination pattern on the road surface. Therefore, it is difficult to align the size and shape of the projection lens with the lighting portion of the linked lamp (in this example, the lighting portion of the turn signal unit). Therefore, in the comparative vehicle lamps, it is difficult to design the projection lens so that it appears integrated with the lighting portion that is linked to the lighting portion, leaving room for improvement in terms of aesthetics.

[0052] To address this issue, the vehicle lamp 10 of Example 1 includes a shielding portion 41 on the road surface illumination unit 20. This prevents the projection lens 24 of the road surface illumination unit 20, which serves as the road surface light source, from being seen when the lamp housing 11 is viewed from the front in the travel direction Dg, i.e., when the road surface illumination unit 20 is viewed from the front. Consequently, the vehicle lamp 10 can be visually enhanced by allowing the projection lens 24 of the road surface illumination unit 20 to be easily visible to the surrounding environment, thereby reducing its appearance.

[0053] Furthermore, since the projection lens 24 is not visible, the road surface illumination unit 20 does not need to be positioned within the placement area Ap based on the turn signal unit 14, which is illuminated in conjunction with the road surface illumination unit 14. This increases the degree of freedom in placement. Consequently, the road surface illumination unit 20 can avoid the need for unreasonable design due to placement restrictions, and can appropriately form a desired illumination pattern Pi on the road surface 2.

[0054] Furthermore, even if the linked turn signal unit 14 has a timing function, the road surface illumination unit 20 can be illuminated at any timing, regardless of its positional relationship relative to the lighting sections 14a of the turn signal unit 14. Therefore, the road surface illumination unit 20 can be positioned to appropriately form the illumination pattern Pi, and can form the illumination pattern Pi at a desired timing relative to the illumination of the turn signal unit 14. Thus, the road surface illumination unit 20 is not limited to the position of the lighting sections 14a and can form the illumination pattern Pi at any timing. Therefore, even when the road surface illumination unit 20 is positioned further outward in the vehicle width direction than the lighting sections 14a, as in Example 1, it is possible to form the illumination pattern Pi simultaneously with the onset of illumination of the lighting sections 14a, maintain the illumination pattern Pi while the lighting sections 14a are on and off, and extinguish the illumination pattern Pi simultaneously with the extinguishing of the lighting sections 14a.

[0055] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 10 , only the lighting portions 14 a of the turn lamp unit 14 are visible, thereby improving the appearance and forming the illumination pattern Pi in conjunction with the turn lamp unit 14 .

[0056] The vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment can obtain the following effects.

[0057] The vehicle lamp 10 includes a shielding portion 41 in the road surface illumination unit 20 that forms an illumination pattern Pi around the periphery of the vehicle 1. This shielding portion covers the projection lens 24, which serves as the road surface light source, when viewed from the front. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 is not limited to the placement of the road surface illumination unit 20, and can prevent the projection lens 24 from being visible when viewed from the front, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the placement of the road surface illumination unit 20.

[0058] Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 10 turns on and off the road surface illumination unit 20 in conjunction with the lamp unit (the turn signal unit 14 in the first embodiment). Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can be placed outside the placement area Ap based on the linked lamp unit, and flexibility in the timing of lighting the lamp unit can be maintained.

[0059] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 10, a plurality of lighting sections 14a are arranged in the vehicle width direction to form a lamp unit, and each lighting section 14a is sequentially illuminated from the inside toward the outside of the vehicle 1. Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 10 can be configured such that the position of the projection lens 24 relative to each lighting section 14a in the vehicle width direction and the timing at which the road surface illumination unit 20 forms the illumination pattern Pi are different, depending on the order in which the plurality of lighting sections 14a are illuminated in the vehicle width direction. Consequently, the vehicle lamp 10 can efficiently arrange the road surface illumination unit 20 and the lamp unit, and can illuminate the desired illumination pattern Pi and each lighting section 14a at any desired timing.

[0060] The vehicle lamp 10 positions the projection lens 24 of the road surface illumination unit 20 at a predetermined distance from the light-emitting portion of the associated lamp unit (in the first embodiment, the lighting portions 14a of the turn signal unit 14) on a vertical plane perpendicular to the travel direction Dg. Consequently, the vehicle lamp 10 can efficiently position the road surface illumination unit 20 while also taking into account the placement of other lamps, and can appropriately form a desired illumination pattern Pi on the road surface 2.

[0061] The vehicle lamp 10 sets the predetermined distance for arranging the projection lens 24 relative to the lamp light emitting portion within 75 mm. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can efficiently arrange the road surface illumination unit 20 and the lamp unit, and can illuminate the desired illumination pattern Pi and each lighting portion 14a at any timing.

[0062] The shielding portion 41 of the vehicle lamp 10 is integrally provided with the road surface illumination unit 20. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can prevent the projection lens 24 from being visible due to illumination simply by providing the road surface illumination unit 20 at an arbitrary position within the lamp chamber 11, thereby achieving a simple structure.

[0063] In the vehicle lamp 10, the shielding portion 41 is formed to extend from the housing 25 in the direction of the optical axis of the road surface illumination unit 20 and to be cut out in the travel direction Dg. Consequently, the vehicle lamp 10 has a simple structure and has little effect on the projection of the illumination pattern Pi, thereby preventing the projection lens 24 from being visible due to its brightness when viewed from the travel direction Dg.

[0064] Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 as the first embodiment of the vehicle lamp of the present disclosure can improve the degree of freedom of the arrangement position of the road surface illumination unit 20 .

[0065] Example 2

[0066] Below, use Figure 8 A vehicle lamp 10A according to Example 2, an embodiment of the present disclosure, will now be described. This vehicle lamp 10A comprises a road surface illumination unit 20A independently mounted within a lamp chamber 11A. This road surface illumination unit 20A, with the exception of a separate shielding portion 41A, shares the same basic concept and structure as the road surface illumination unit 20 shown in the vehicle lamp 10 according to Example 1. Therefore, identical components are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0067] like Figure 8As shown, the vehicle lamp 10A of Example 2 includes a road surface illumination unit 20A within a lamp chamber 11A. The lamp chamber 11A comprises a lamp housing 45 with one end open and an outer lens 46 disposed to cover the open end. The inner wall of the lamp housing 45 is appropriately coated with a reflective film or the like, and is provided with a mounting hole 45a for mounting the road surface illumination unit 20A. The vehicle lamp 10A is configured so that the outer lens 46 is substantially flush with a portion of the vehicle body (the vehicle body component 1a).

[0068] The road surface illumination unit 20A has the same structure as the road surface illumination unit 20 of Example 1, except that the shielding portion 41 is not provided. In this vehicle lamp 10A, the shielding portion 41A is provided in the lamp chamber 11A. The shielding portion 41A is formed by an inner panel within the lamp chamber 11A. The shielding portion 41A is configured to cover the projection lens 24, which is the road surface light-emitting portion, when viewed from the front, i.e., in the forward direction Dg, relative to the road surface illumination unit 20A installed in the lamp chamber 11A. The shielding portion 41A is provided in the lamp housing 45 with the mounting hole 45a as a reference, so that when the road surface illumination unit 20A is mounted in the mounting hole 45a of the lamp housing 45, the projection lens 24 is covered and hidden when viewed from the outside and in the forward direction Dg.

[0069] When the two light sources 31 and 32 of the vehicle lamp 10A are turned on, the light is emitted from the projection lens 24 via the condenser lens 22 and the filter 23, forming an illumination pattern Pi at a desired position on the road surface 2. At this time, in the vehicle lamp 10A, the projection lens 24 (the road surface light-emitting portion) emits light. However, since the projection lens 24 is covered by the shielding portion 41A when viewed from the front, the projection lens 24 is prevented from being visible even when the lamp chamber 11A is viewed from the outside in the forward direction Dg.

[0070] The vehicle lamp 10A of the second embodiment can achieve the following effects: The vehicle lamp 10A has basically the same structure as the vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment, and thus can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0071] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 10A, the shielding portion 41A is provided separately from the road surface illumination unit 20A. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10A can easily provide the shielding portion 41A in an appropriate positional relationship with the projection lens 24 of the road surface illumination unit 20A.

[0072] Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 10A can appropriately adjust the position and size of the shielding portion 41A based on the inclination of the optical axis direction of the road surface illumination unit 20A relative to the road surface 2 surrounding the vehicle 1. Therefore, even if the position of the vehicle 1 or the position of the illumination pattern Pi formed around the vehicle 1 changes, the vehicle lamp 10A can easily accommodate such changes by hiding the projection lens 24 when viewed from the front using a road surface illumination unit 20A having the same structure.

[0073] Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10A as the second embodiment of the vehicle lamp of the present disclosure can improve the degree of freedom in the arrangement position of the road surface illumination unit 20A.

[0074] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 10A of Example 2, only the road surface illumination unit 20A is provided in the lamp chamber 11A. However, the vehicle lamp 10A may also include at least one of the turn signal unit 14, low-beam unit 12, high-beam unit 13, or other lamp units of Example 1, along with the road surface illumination unit 20A, and is not limited to the configuration of Example 2. In this case, the road surface illumination unit 20A may be turned on and off in conjunction with any of the aforementioned lamp units. In this case, the vehicle lamp 10A can conceal the projection lens 24 of the road surface illumination unit 20A by the shielding portion 41A when viewed from the front, thereby forming the illumination pattern Pi at the desired timing.

[0075] As mentioned above, the vehicle lamp of the present disclosure has been described based on the respective embodiments. However, the specific structure is not limited to the respective embodiments, and design changes and additions are permitted without departing from the main points of the invention.

[0076] Furthermore, in each embodiment, three illumination patterns Di are arranged at approximately equal intervals in a direction away from the vehicle 1 to form the illumination pattern Pi. However, as long as the illumination pattern is formed on the road surface 2 surrounding the vehicle 1 and informs those around the vehicle 1 of the driver's intention, the pattern and its location can be set appropriately and are not limited to the configurations of the embodiments. Furthermore, while the road surface illumination unit 20 is linked to the turn signal in Embodiment 1, it can also be linked to other lights such as the backup light or operate independently, and is not limited to the configuration of Embodiment 1. In this case, the timing of the illumination pattern formation (including the duration of continued illumination) can also be set appropriately with respect to the timing of lighting of the other lights, and is not limited to the configuration of Embodiment 1. Furthermore, the vehicle lighting fixture can be installed on the vehicle 1 according to the position at which the illumination pattern is formed relative to the vehicle 1. It can also be housed in the door mirrors, located in the lamp chambers 11 of the backup light or tail light (the lamp chambers 11 on the left and right sides of the rear of the vehicle), or installed on the vehicle body, and is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments.

[0077] In addition, in the first embodiment, the road surface illumination unit 20 is provided integrally with the road surface illumination unit 20. Figure 7 The shielding portion 41 shown in the embodiment 2 is provided in the lamp housing 45 separately from the road surface illumination unit 20A. Figure 8 The shielding portion 41A is shown. However, the shielding portion can be appropriately positioned, shaped, and sized, as long as it conceals the road surface illuminating portion (projection lens 24 in each embodiment) when viewed from the front, i.e., when the lamp housing is viewed from the outside in the forward direction. The shielding portion is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments. For example, the shielding portion may protrude from another portion of the road surface illuminating unit, be formed by other components within the lamp housing, be formed by another lamp unit located within the lamp housing, be formed by applying color to a portion of the external lens, or utilize a portion of the vehicle body, such as a bumper or grille.

[0078] Furthermore, in each embodiment, the road surface illumination unit 20, 20A is formed by housing a housing 25 comprising a light source 21, a condenser lens 22, a filter 23, and a projection lens 24. However, the road surface illumination unit is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments, as long as it utilizes light from a road surface emitting portion to form an illumination pattern Pi around the vehicle 1. For example, the road surface illumination unit may form an illumination pattern by shaping light from a light source with a lens, rather than using a filter. In this configuration, the outermost lens serves as the road surface emitting portion. Alternatively, the road surface illumination unit may employ a so-called reflector configuration, where light from a light source is shaped by a reflector and reflected toward the road surface to form the illumination pattern Pi. In this configuration, the reflector serves as the road surface emitting portion. In either case, similar to the embodiments, by providing a shielding portion that conceals the road surface emitting portion when viewed from the front, i.e., when the lamp housing is viewed from the outside in the forward direction, the same effects as those of the embodiments can be achieved.

[0079] In each embodiment, a filter 23 is used as a light shielding member that allows the light focused by the condenser lens 22 to pass through the illumination slit 36. However, the light shielding member may have other configurations as long as it includes the illumination slit 36 ​​that partially allows the light focused by the condenser lens 22 to pass through, and is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments. For example, a light shielding plate may be used, in which a plate-shaped filter member that blocks light transmission is provided with an illumination slit that partially allows light to pass through, allowing the light after passing through the condenser lens 22 to pass through the illumination slit.

[0080] In each embodiment, vehicle lamps 10 and 10A are installed in a vehicle 1 driven by a driver. However, the vehicle lamps can also be installed in vehicles equipped with autonomous driving functions and are not limited to the configurations of the embodiments. In this case, the vehicle lamps can simply form an illumination pattern at a timing appropriate to their intended use, that is, at a timing appropriate to a certain intention related to the vehicle's operation, and are not limited to the configurations of the embodiments.

[0081] In each embodiment, the road surface illumination unit 20, 20A employs a structure in which the light source 21 is mounted on a mounting base 26 that functions as a heat sink (heat dissipation portion 26b), and the mounting base 26 is connected to a housing 25. However, as long as the road surface illumination unit forms an illumination pattern using light from the light source, the light source may be mounted at an end of the housing, or other structures may be employed, and the structure is not limited to the embodiments.

[0082] Explanation of symbols

[0083] 10, 10A—vehicle lamp, 1—vehicle, 11—lamp chamber, 14—turn signal unit (as an example of a lamp unit), 20—road surface illumination unit, 24—projection lens (as an example of a road surface light-emitting portion), 25—housing, 31, 32—light source, 41, 41A—shielding portion, 42—extended tube piece, 43—imaginary cylindrical portion, Dg—forward direction, Pi, PiA—irradiation pattern.

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp, characterized in that: have: a road surface illumination unit that forms an illumination pattern around the vehicle using light from the road surface light-emitting portion; a shielding portion that covers the road surface light-emitting portion when the road surface lighting unit is viewed from the front; and The lamp unit is housed in the lamp chamber. The road surface lighting unit and the lamp unit are linked to light up and extinguish. The lamp unit is configured by arranging a plurality of lighting portions in the vehicle width direction, and the plurality of lighting portions are sequentially lit from the inside to the outside of the vehicle. The road surface illuminating unit is configured such that positions of the road surface light emitting portion relative to the plurality of lighting units in the vehicle width direction and timings of forming the illuminating pattern relative to the order of lighting of the plurality of lighting units in the vehicle width direction are different.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein: The road surface illumination unit is provided so that the projection light axis is inclined with respect to the road surface, and is turned on and off in conjunction with the lamp unit.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein: The lamp unit is housed in the lamp chamber together with the road surface illumination unit.

4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, wherein: The road surface illumination unit is arranged outside the vehicle in the vehicle width direction relative to the lighting portion located most inside the vehicle, and forms the illumination pattern simultaneously with lighting of the lighting portion located most inside the vehicle.

5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, wherein: In the road surface illumination unit, the road surface light emitting portion is located on a vertical plane perpendicular to the traveling direction of the vehicle at a predetermined distance from the lamp light emitting portion of the linked lamp unit.

6. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein: The shielding portion is formed in a shape extending from the periphery of the road surface light-emitting portion in the optical axis direction of the road surface illumination unit and cut out in the forward direction of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle lamp according to claim 6, wherein: The road surface illumination unit includes a light source, a projection lens for projecting light from the light source onto the road surface, and a cylindrical housing for supporting the light source and the projection lens. The shielding portion extends from the box.

8. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein: The shielding portion is provided separately from the road surface illuminating unit.

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