Vehicle lamp

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp. The problem thereof is to improve the appearance when the lamp is lit in a vehicle lamp provided with a plate-shaped light guide. Light from a light source (40) incident on a bent portion (34) of the plate-shaped light guide (30) through a rod-shaped light guide (42) is totally reflected by a plurality of reflecting elements (34s) formed on a first plate surface (34b), and then emitted forward from a second plate surface (34a) of the lamp. The plurality of reflecting elements are arranged in a state where they are continuously arranged along each of a plurality of lines (L) extending in a required direction, so that the plate-shaped light guide appears to emit light linearly along each line (L). By setting the surface shape of each reflecting element to a concave spherical shape, total reflection of each reflecting element occurs substantially equally in all directions. Even when the viewing direction when observing the plate-shaped light guide changes greatly, it is possible to maintain the appearance that the plate-shaped light guide emits light linearly along the line (L), and it looks as if an optical fiber emits light.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention application with the application date of February 27, 2019, the Chinese application number of 201910145573.6, and the invention title of "Vehicle Lamp". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp provided with a plate-shaped light guide. Background Art

[0003] Conventionally, a vehicle lamp is known in which light from a light source incident on a plate-shaped light guide is totally reflected by a plurality of reflecting elements formed on its first plate surface and then emitted from its second plate surface toward the front of the lamp.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, as such a vehicle lamp, a plurality of light sources are arranged along the rear end surface of the plate-shaped light guide so that the emitted light from the plurality of light sources is incident on the plate-shaped light guide from its rear end surface.

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0006] By adopting the configuration described in Patent Document 1 above, it is possible to make the plate-shaped light guide appear to emit light substantially uniformly in the front view of the lamp.

[0007] On the other hand, as a vehicle lamp, if it is configured to be provided with a side-emitting optical fiber, since the optical fiber appears to emit light linearly, the appearance when the lamp is lit can be improved. However, it is not easy to implement a specific structure for making the emitted light from the light source incident on the optical fiber from its end face.

[0008] In this regard, in a vehicle lamp provided with a plate-shaped light guide, as the configuration of the plate-shaped light guide, if it is configured to form a fine groove-shaped reflecting element on the plate surface on the rear side of the lamp, or a plurality of reflecting elements are arranged in series, or the plate surface on the front side of the lamp is subjected to a wrinkling process, linear light emission can be achieved.

[0009] However, in the above first two configurations, the viewing direction in which the plate-shaped light guide appears to emit light linearly is restricted, and in the latter configuration, sufficient brightness cannot be ensured. Therefore, light emission like that of an optical fiber cannot be achieved, and thus the appearance when the lamp is lit cannot be improved. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of this situation, and its object is to provide a vehicle lamp that can improve the appearance when the lamp is lit in a vehicle lamp provided with a plate-shaped light guide.

[0011] The present invention achieves the above object by improving the structure of the plate-shaped light guide.

[0012] That is, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention includes a light source and a plate-shaped light guide body, and is characterized in that:

[0013] The above-mentioned plate-shaped light guide body is configured such that the light from the above-mentioned light source incident on the plate-shaped light guide body is totally reflected by a plurality of reflecting elements formed on the first plate surface of the plate-shaped light guide body, and then is emitted from the second plate surface of the plate-shaped light guide body toward the front of the lamp;

[0014] The above-mentioned plurality of reflecting elements are arranged in a state of being continuously arranged along a line extending in a required direction;

[0015] Each of the above-mentioned reflecting elements has a surface shape of a substantially concave spherical shape or a substantially convex spherical shape.

[0016] The type of the above-mentioned "light source" is not particularly limited, and for example, a light-emitting diode or an incandescent lamp can be used.

[0017] The specific shape of the above-mentioned "plate-shaped light guide body" is not particularly limited as long as it is configured such that the light from the light source incident on the plate-shaped light guide body is totally reflected by a plurality of reflecting elements formed on its first plate surface, and then is emitted from its second plate surface toward the front of the lamp.

[0018] The specific direction of the above-mentioned "required direction" is not particularly limited.

[0019] In the above-mentioned "state of being continuously arranged along a line", it naturally includes a state where a plurality of reflecting elements are in close contact with each other. However, as long as the light from the light source totally reflected by the plurality of reflecting elements makes the plate-shaped light guide body emit light linearly, it also includes a state where a plurality of reflecting elements are slightly separated from each other.

[0020] The above-mentioned so-called "substantially concave spherical shape" means a concave curved surface shape, having a spherical shape or a shape close thereto (such as an ellipsoidal sphere or a polyhedron, etc.).

[0021] The above-mentioned so-called "substantially convex spherical shape" means a convex curved surface shape, having a spherical shape or a shape close thereto (such as an ellipsoidal sphere or a polyhedron, etc.).

[0022] The effects of the present invention will be described below:

[0023] The vehicle lamp according to the present invention is configured such that the light from the light source incident on the plate-shaped light guide body is totally reflected by a plurality of reflecting elements formed on its first plate surface, and then is emitted from its second plate surface toward the front of the lamp. The plurality of reflecting elements are arranged in a state of being continuously arranged along a line extending in a required direction, and each reflecting element has a surface shape of a substantially concave spherical shape or a substantially convex spherical shape. Therefore, the following effects can be obtained.

[0024] That is, on the first plate surface of the plate-shaped light guide, a plurality of reflecting elements are arranged in a state of being continuously arranged along the above-mentioned line. Therefore, the light from the light source incident on the plate-shaped light guide is totally reflected by each reflecting element and emitted from the second plate surface toward the front of the lamp. Thus, it is possible to make the plate-shaped light guide emit light linearly along the above-mentioned line.

[0025] At this time, each reflecting element formed on the first plate surface of the plate-shaped light guide has a surface shape of a substantially concave spherical surface or a substantially convex spherical surface. Therefore, the total reflection of the reflecting element occurs substantially equally in all directions. Therefore, even if the viewing direction when observing the plate-shaped light guide changes greatly, the state in which the plate-shaped light guide emits light linearly along the above-mentioned line can be maintained. Therefore, when the lamp is lit (that is, when the light source is lit), it can make the lamp look as if an optical fiber is emitting light, and thus the appearance of the vehicle lamp can be improved.

[0026] In this way, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp provided with a plate-shaped light guide, the appearance when the lamp is lit can be improved.

[0027] At this time, in order to make the plurality of reflecting elements arranged along the above-mentioned line look as if an optical fiber is emitting light when the lamp is lit, it is preferable to set the width of the above-mentioned line to a value of about 0.25 to 2 mm.

[0028] Also, each of the above-mentioned reflecting elements can be formed into a substantially concave spherical surface or a substantially convex spherical surface. However, when formed into a substantially concave spherical surface, compared with the case of forming into a substantially convex spherical surface, the total reflection efficiency of the reflecting element can be improved, so it is more suitable.

[0029] In the above configuration, if a plurality of reflecting elements are arranged in a state of being arranged side by side in a direction intersecting the above-mentioned required direction on the above-mentioned line, the above-mentioned line can be made to emit light with a more uniform brightness.

[0030] At this time, considering both making the above-mentioned line emit light uniformly and having a high machining accuracy of the surface shape of the reflecting element, it is preferable to set the number of reflecting elements arranged side by side to about 2 to 10.

[0031] In the above configuration, if, as the first plate surface, at least the region where a plurality of reflecting elements are formed is formed into a curved surface shape, it is possible to easily arrange the above-mentioned line to bend and extend three-dimensionally. Thus, the appearance effect that looks like an optical fiber emitting light when the lamp is lit can be improved.

[0032] In the above configuration, if a plurality of the above-mentioned lines are arranged at intervals in a direction intersecting the above-mentioned required direction, the lamp can emit light in a state where it looks like a plurality of optical fibers are discretely arranged when the lamp is lit, and thus the appearance effect can be further improved.

[0033] At this time, in order to enhance the effect of light emission in a state where multiple optical fibers are discretely arranged, it is preferable to set the interval in the required direction between the above-mentioned lines to a value larger than the width of the above-mentioned lines.

[0034] In the above configuration, if it is configured to include a rod-shaped light guide, the rod-shaped light guide is arranged in a state of extending along the end face in the required direction in the plate-shaped light guide. At the same time, the light source is arranged so that light is incident on the rod-shaped light guide. Furthermore, if it is configured such that the light from the light source incident on the rod-shaped light guide is incident on the plate-shaped light guide from the end face in the required direction, the following effects can be obtained.

[0035] That is, by allowing the light from the light source to pass through the rod-shaped light guide and be incident on the plate-shaped light guide in this way, the degree of freedom in arranging the light source can be increased. Also, with such a configuration, even when multiple lines are arranged at intervals in a direction intersecting the required direction, it is possible to easily make the light from the light source effectively reach the multiple reflection elements arranged along the multiple lines.

[0036] In the above configuration, if it is configured that multiple sets of the light source and the plate-shaped light guide are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction of the lamp, then in each plate-shaped light guide, there are multiple portions that appear to emit light linearly along the above-mentioned line in the front-rear direction of the lamp. Therefore, when the lamp is lit, a light-emitting state with a sense of depth can be exhibited.

[0037] In the above configuration, if it is configured to include a second light source and a second rod-shaped light guide, and at the same time, as the plate-shaped light guide, it has a front end face and a rear end face, and as the end face in the direction intersecting the required direction, the second rod-shaped light guide is arranged in a state of extending along the rear end face of the plate-shaped light guide. Also, the second light source is arranged so that light is incident on the second rod-shaped light guide. Furthermore, if it is configured such that the light from the second light source incident on the second rod-shaped light guide is incident on the plate-shaped light guide from the rear end face, and the light from the second light source incident on the plate-shaped light guide is emitted from the front end face toward the front of the lamp, the following effects can be obtained.

[0038] That is, when the lamp is lit, by lighting the light source and the second light source simultaneously, the plate-shaped light guide appears to emit light linearly along the above-mentioned line, and at the same time, the front end face of the plate-shaped light guide can be made to look like a band, thereby further improving the appearance of the vehicle lamp.

[0039] In the above configuration, if it is configured that on the first plate surface of the plate-shaped light guide, multiple auxiliary reflection elements are arranged at positions adjacent to the multiple reflection elements arranged along the above-mentioned line in a state of being continuously arranged along the above-mentioned line, and the multiple auxiliary reflection elements are formed in a stepped shape in the required direction, the following effects can be obtained.

[0040] That is, on the first plate surface of the plate-shaped light guide, a plurality of auxiliary reflection elements are additionally arranged in a state of being continuously arranged along the above-mentioned line. Therefore, the light from the light source incident on the plate-shaped light guide is totally reflected by each auxiliary reflection element, and when it is emitted from the second plate surface toward the front of the lamp, the emitted light can be made to have directivity. Thus, the light distribution performance of the vehicle lamp can be easily improved.

[0041] At this time, the plurality of auxiliary reflection elements are arranged along the above-mentioned line at positions adjacent to the plurality of reflection elements arranged along the above-mentioned line. Therefore, when the lamp is lit, the appearance effect that looks like the optical fiber is emitting light can be maintained, and the light distribution performance of the vehicle lamp can be improved.

[0042] In the case of adopting such a configuration, if the plurality of auxiliary reflection elements arranged along the above-mentioned line are arranged in a state of being clamped from both sides in a direction crossing the above-mentioned required direction by the plurality of reflection elements arranged along the above-mentioned line, the appearance effect that looks like the optical fiber is emitting light when the lamp is lit can be improved, and the light distribution performance of the vehicle lamp can be improved.

[0043] Also, in the case of adopting such a configuration, if the plurality of auxiliary reflection elements adjacent to each other on the above-mentioned line and the plurality of auxiliary reflection elements are arranged in a state of being offset by a half pitch in the above-mentioned required direction, since the plurality of auxiliary reflection elements are additionally arranged on the above-mentioned line, the width expansion of the above-mentioned line can be suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Figure 1 It is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 2 It is Figure 1 a sectional view taken along line II-II of

[0046] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing a lamp unit of the above-mentioned vehicle lamp.

[0047] Figure 4 It is a view showing a main part of a plate-shaped light guide in the above-mentioned lamp unit in Figure 3 the direction IV of

[0048] Figure 5 It is Figure 4 a sectional view taken along line V-V of

[0049] Figure 6 It is a front view showing the above-mentioned lamp unit in a state where the lamp is lit.

[0050] Figure 7 Showing a first modification of the above-mentioned first embodiment, it is related toFigure 3 The same figure.

[0051] Figure 8 The function of the first modification example described above is the same as that of Figure 6 the same figure.

[0052] Figure 9 The second modification example of the first embodiment described above is the same as that of Figure 4 the same figure.

[0053] Figure 10 The third and fourth modification examples of the first embodiment described above are the same as that of Figure 4 substantially the same figure.

[0054] Figure 11 It is a side view of a lamp unit of a vehicle lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Figure 12 (a) is a view showing the part VIIa as seen from the rear side of the lamp, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line b-b of (a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line c-c of (a). Figure 11

[0056] Figure 13 The first to third modification examples of the second embodiment described above are the same as that of Figure 12 (a).

[0057] Figure 14 The fourth modification example of the second embodiment described above is the same as that of Figure 11 the same figure.

[0058] Figure 15 It is Figure 14 a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV of, where (a) is a view showing the cross-sectional shape of the auxiliary reflection element and (b) is a view showing the cross-sectional shape of the reflection element.

[0059] Figure 16 It shows the main part of a plate-shaped light guide in a lamp unit of a vehicle lamp according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and is substantially the same as Figure 5 the same figure.

[0060] The meanings of the symbols in the figure are as follows:

[0061] 10 - Vehicle lamp

[0062] 12 - Lamp body

[0063] 14 - Light-transmitting cover

[0064] 16 - Extension member

[0065] 16a, 18a - Opening ​

[0066] 18 - Cover member

[0067] 20, 120 - Lamp unit

[0068] 30, 130, 230 - Plate - shaped light guide

[0069] 32 - Flat plate part

[0070] 32a - Front end face

[0071] 32b - Rear end face

[0072] 34, 134, 234 - Bending part

[0073] 34a - Second plate face

[0074] 34b, 234b - First plate face

[0075] 34c - Front - most part

[0076] 34c1, 134c1 - Front end face

[0077] 34d - Left end face

[0078] 34s, 42s, 52s, 134s, 234s, 334s, 434s - Reflective element

[0079] 40, 140 - Light source

[0080] 42, 142 - Rod - shaped light guide

[0081] 42a - Right end face

[0082] 44, 54 - Substrate

[0083] 50 - Second light source

[0084] 52 - Second rod - shaped light guide

[0085] 52a - Right end face

[0086] 136 - Connecting part

[0087] 520, 920 - Lamp unit

[0088] 530A, 530B, 930A, 930B - Light guide unit

[0089] 532, 932 - Plate - shaped light guide

[0090] 532a, 932a - Second plate face

[0091] 532b, 932b - First plate face

[0092] 532c, 932c - Protruding part

[0093] 532s, 632s, 732s, 832s, 932s - Reflective element

[0094] 532s1, 632s1, 732s1, 832s1, 932s1 - Auxiliary reflective element

[0095] 532s1a, 832s1a, 932s1a - Inclined plane portion

[0096] 534 - Rod - shaped light guide

[0097] 534a - Right end face

[0098] 540, 940 - Light source

[0099] 544, 944 - Substrate

[0100] 932d - End face

[0101] 932e - Light incident portion

[0102] 932e1 - First incident portion

[0103] 932e2 - Second incident portion

[0104] 932e3 - Reflective portion

[0105] 1030 - Plate - shaped light guide

[0106] 1034 - Bending portion

[0107] 1034b - First plate surface

[0108] 1034s - Reflective element

[0109] A - Spacing

[0110] D - Outer diameter

[0111] L - Line

[0112] P - Pitch

[0113] R - Radius

[0114] W - Width Detailed implementation manners

[0115] Next, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, although various limitations are imposed on the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative arrangements, etc., these are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0116] First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0117] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is Figure 1 a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1.

[0118] In the above figures, the direction indicated by X is the "front" of the vehicle lamp 10 (the "rear" of the vehicle), the direction indicated by Y is the "right direction" (also the "right direction" of the vehicle), and the direction indicated by Z is the "upward direction". The same applies to the other figures.

[0119] The vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment is a tail lamp provided at the right rear end of the vehicle, and is configured such that a lamp unit 20 is assembled in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a transparent light-transmitting cover 14 attached to the front opening of the lamp body 12.

[0120] The light-transmitting cover 14 is formed by winding from its left end toward its right end toward the rear side of the lamp.

[0121] Figure 3 FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the lamp unit 20 taken out.

[0122] As shown in this figure, the lamp unit 20 includes a plate-shaped light guide 30, a pair of upper and lower light sources 40 and a rod-shaped light guide 42, a second light source 50 and a second rod-shaped light guide 52, and has a vertically symmetric configuration.

[0123] The plate-shaped light guide 30 is a member made of a transparent resin (e.g., acrylic resin), and is supported by a support structure (not shown) on the lamp body 12. The plate-shaped light guide 30 is configured to include a flat plate portion 32 extending in the vehicle width direction along a horizontal plane, and a pair of upper and lower curved portions 34 extending from the flat plate portion 32.

[0124] The flat plate portion 32 is formed with a constant front-rear width in its left half portion, and is formed such that the front-rear width gradually narrows toward the right end edge in its right half portion. That is, the front end face 32a of the flat plate portion 32 is formed to extend obliquely rearward of the lamp from its left end toward its right end, and its left half portion is formed by a planar vertical plane, and its right half portion is formed by a convex curved vertical plane that bends toward the rear side of the lamp toward the right end edge. On the other hand, the rear end face 32b of the flat plate portion 32 is formed by a planar vertical plane that extends parallel to the left half portion of the front end face 32a, and its right end portion is formed by a concave curved vertical plane that bends toward the rear side of the lamp toward the right end edge.

[0125] The pair of upper and lower curved portions 34 are formed to bend and extend upward and downward from the front end face 32a of the flat plate portion 32. That is, the first plate surface 34b forming the rear surface of each curved portion 34 is formed in a concave curved shape, and the second plate surface 34a forming the front surface thereof is formed in a convex curved shape.

[0126] Specifically, the upper bending portion 34 is formed to extend obliquely upward in a direction close to the horizontal direction from the upper region of the right half of the front end face 32a of the flat plate portion 32, and then the upward angle gradually increases. At this time, the bending portion 34 is formed such that the wall thickness gradually decreases from its base end portion toward the front end portion, and its foremost end portion 34c is formed to extend along a vertical plane substantially parallel to the right half of the front end face 32a. Further, the left end face 34d of the bending portion 34 is formed to smoothly bend and extend from the front end face 32a of the flat plate portion 32.

[0127] A plurality of reflection elements 34s are formed on the first plate surface 34b of the bending portion 34. At this time, the plurality of reflection elements 34s are arranged in a state of being continuously arranged along a line L extending in a required direction.

[0128] The above-mentioned required direction is set as the direction from the base end portion of the bending portion 34 toward the front end portion, and the line L is arranged to extend in a curved shape from the base end portion of the bending portion 34 to a position near the foremost end portion 34c. The line L is arranged at substantially equal intervals in the horizontal direction intersecting the above-mentioned required direction (specifically, the direction in which the right half of the front end face 32a of the flat plate portion 32 extends), and a plurality of lines (for example, about 5 to 10 lines) are arranged.

[0129] The lower bending portion 34 also has the same configuration as the upper bending portion 34.

[0130] The specific arrangement and specific shape of the plurality of reflection elements 34s in each bending portion 34 will be described below.

[0131] A pair of upper and lower light sources 40 and a rod-shaped light guide 42 are arranged on the upper and lower sides of the pair of upper and lower bending portions 34.

[0132] The upper rod-shaped light guide 42 is arranged to bend and extend along the front end face 34c1 (that is, the upper surface of the foremost end portion 34c) of the upper bending portion 34 near the upper side.

[0133] The rod-shaped light guide 42 has a circular cross-sectional shape, and a plurality of reflection elements 42s are continuously formed in the longitudinal direction on the upper portion of its outer peripheral surface. The rod-shaped light guide 42 is supported by a support structure (not shown) on the lamp body 12.

[0134] The upper light source 40 is arranged near the right end face 42a of the rod-shaped light guide 42. The light source 40 is a red light-emitting diode and is mounted on the substrate 44 in a state where its light-emitting surface faces the right end face 42a of the rod-shaped light guide 42. The substrate 44 is supported by a support structure (not shown) on the lamp body 12.

[0135] The rod-shaped light guide 42 guides the light from the light source 40 incident on its right end face 42a towards its left end face while causing it to be totally reflected by a plurality of reflecting elements 42s, and emits it downward from the rod-shaped light guide 42 and incident on the curved portion 34 of the plate-shaped light guide 30 from its front end face 34c1.

[0136] Next, in the curved portion 34 of the plate-shaped light guide 30, the light from the rod-shaped light guide 42 incident on its front end face 34c1 is guided towards the base end portion of the curved portion 34 while being totally reflected by a plurality of reflecting elements 34s formed on its first plate surface 34b, and is emitted from its second plate surface 34a towards the front of the lamp.

[0137] The light source 40 and the rod-shaped light guide 42 located on the lower side are arranged in a state where the light source 40 and the rod-shaped light guide 42 located on the upper side are vertically inverted.

[0138] The second light source 50 and the second rod-shaped light guide 52 are arranged on the rear side of the lamp of the flat portion 32 of the plate-shaped light guide 30.

[0139] The second rod-shaped light guide 52 is arranged to extend along the rear end face 32b near the rear of the lamp of the rear end face 32b of the flat portion 32. The second rod-shaped light guide 52 has a circular cross-sectional shape, and a plurality of reflecting elements 52s are continuously formed in the longitudinal direction on the rear portion of its outer peripheral surface. The second rod-shaped light guide 52 is supported by a support structure (not shown) on the lamp body 12.

[0140] The second light source 50 is arranged near the right end face 52a of the second rod-shaped light guide 52. The second light source 50 is a red light-emitting diode and is mounted on the substrate 54 in a state where its light-emitting surface faces the right end face 52a of the second rod-shaped light guide 52. The substrate 54 is supported by a support structure (not shown) on the lamp body 12.

[0141] The second rod-shaped light guide 52 guides the light from the second light source 50 incident on its right end face 52a towards its left end face while causing it to be totally reflected by a plurality of reflecting elements 52s, and emits it from the second rod-shaped light guide 52 towards the front of the lamp and incident on the flat portion 32 of the plate-shaped light guide 30 from its rear end face 32b.

[0142] Next, in the flat portion 32 of the plate-shaped light guide 30, the light from the second rod-shaped light guide 52 incident on its rear end face 32b is guided to its front end face 32a and emitted from the front end face 32a towards the front of the lamp.

[0143] However, since the upper and lower regions of the right half of the front end face 32a of the flat plate portion 32 are connected to the upper and lower pair of bending portions 34, a part of the light from the second rod-shaped light guide 52 that reaches the front end face 32a of the flat plate portion 32 is guided to the upper and lower pair of bending portions 34. And in each bending portion 34, while guiding the light from the second rod-shaped light guide 52 incident from its base end portion toward the front end portion of the bending portion 34, it is totally reflected by the plurality of reflecting elements 34s formed on its first plate surface 34b, and is emitted forward of the lamp from its second plate surface 34a.

[0144] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, in the above lamp chamber, an extension member 16 of the plate-shaped light guide 30 that partially covers the lamp unit 20 and a pair of upper and lower cover members 18 are arranged.

[0145] The extension member 16 is configured as a panel-shaped member that covers the flat plate portion 32 of the plate-shaped light guide 30 at a position on the rear side of the lamp of the upper and lower pair of bending portions 34. An opening 16a in a horizontally long rectangular shape that encloses the flat plate portion 32 is formed in the extension member 16. The extension member 16 has an outer shape in a horizontally long rectangular shape in the front view of the lamp, and is supported by the lamp body 12 at its left and right end portions.

[0146] The pair of upper and lower cover members 18 are configured as panel-shaped members that cover the upper and lower pair of rod-shaped light guides 42, the light source 40, and the foremost end portions 34c of the upper and lower pair of bending portions 34 of the plate-shaped light guide 30 on the upper and lower sides of the extension member 16. In each cover member 18, an opening 18a that encloses the foremost end portion 34c of the bending portion 34 and extends in a substantially arc shape is formed. Each cover member 18 has an outer shape in a horizontally long rectangular shape in the front view of the lamp, and is supported by the extension member 16 or the lamp body 12.

[0147] Figure 4 is a view in the IV direction showing the main part of the plate-shaped light guide 30 Figure 3 of. Figure 5 The main part of the plate-shaped light guide 30 is represented by a cross-section along the line L, and is Figure 4 a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V of.

[0148] As shown in the above figure, the plurality of reflecting elements 34s formed on the first plate surface 34b of each bending portion 34 are arranged in a state of being continuously arranged in a row along a plurality of lines L respectively.

[0149] Each reflecting element 34s has a concave spherical surface shape, and the outer peripheral edge shape thereof is set to a circular shape of the same size. At this time, the outer diameter D of each reflecting element 34s is set to a value less than twice the radius R of the above concave spherical surface (specifically, a value of about D = 0.25 to 2 mm, for example, a value of about 1 mm).

[0150] Thus, each line L has the same width W as the outer diameter D of each reflecting element 34s, and at the same time, a plurality of reflecting elements 34s are arranged in series at the same pitch P as the outer diameter D of each reflecting element 34s.

[0151] The interval A in the required direction between the plurality of lines L is set to a value larger than the width W of each line L. For example, A is about 2W to 10W.

[0152] As Figure 5 shown, in the lower curved portion 34, the light from the light source 40 is guided upward (i.e., toward the base end side of the curved portion 34), and at the same time, the light from the second light source 50 is guided downward (i.e., toward the front end side of the curved portion 34), and these lights reach each reflecting element 34s. At this time, from Figure 5 directions other than the direction within the cross-section shown, the light from the light source 40 and the second light source 50 also reaches each reflecting element 34s. Therefore, these lights are totally reflected in all directions at each reflecting element 34s and are emitted forward from the second plate surface 34a. The same applies to the upper curved portion 34.

[0153] Figure 6 is a front view showing the lamp unit 20 in the lamp lighting state.

[0154] As shown in this figure, when observing the lamp unit 20 in which the pair of upper and lower light sources 40 and the second light source 50 are in the lighting state from the front direction of the lamp (i.e., the rear of the vehicle), the front end surface 32a of the flat plate portion 32 of its plate-shaped light guide 30 is seen to emit light, and at the same time, a plurality of reflecting elements 34s formed in the pair of upper and lower curved portions 34 are seen to emit light.

[0155] Specifically, the light from the second light source 50 incident from the rear end surface 32b through the second rod-shaped light guide 52 is emitted forward from the front end surface 32a, and thus, the front end surface 32a of the flat plate portion 32 appears to emit light.

[0156] At this time, the front end surface 32a of the flat plate portion 32 has the full width in the up and down direction in its left half portion and appears to emit light in a wide width, while in its right half portion, the portion sandwiched between the base end portions of the pair of upper and lower curved portions 34 appears to emit light in a narrow width.

[0157] On the other hand, the light from the light source 40 incident on the front end face 34c1 of the bent portion 34 through the rod-shaped light guide 42 is totally reflected by each reflecting element 34s while being guided toward its base end side. As a result, it appears that each line L of the plurality of reflecting elements 34s formed in each bent portion 34 emits light with substantially uniform total length. Moreover, the light from the second light source 50 incident on the rear end face 32b of the flat portion 32 through the second rod-shaped light guide 52 is totally reflected by each reflecting element 34s while being guided from the base end portion of each bent portion 34 toward the front end portion side. As a result, it appears that each line L emits light more brightly and more uniformly in terms of total length.

[0158] Furthermore, at this time, the light from the second light source 50 incident on the rear end face 32b of the flat portion 32 through the second rod-shaped light guide 52 reaches the left end face 34d on the way of being guided from the base end portion of the bent portion 34 toward the front end portion side and is emitted forward of the lamp. As a result, the left end face 34d of each bent portion 34 also appears to emit light.

[0159] As described above, when the lamp unit 20 is observed from the front direction of the lamp, the plurality of reflecting elements 34s formed in each bent portion 34 appear to emit light linearly along each line of the plurality of lines L. However, since each reflecting element 34s has a concave spherical surface shape, even when the direction of observing the lamp unit 20 is shifted to a direction deviated from the front direction of the lamp, the light from the light source 40 and the second light source 50 is totally reflected in all directions by each reflecting element 34s. As a result, the state where the plurality of reflecting elements 34s appear to emit light along each line of the plurality of lines L is maintained.

[0160] Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described.

[0161] The vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the light from the light source 40 incident on each bent portion 34 of the plate-shaped light guide 30 is totally reflected by the plurality of reflecting elements 34s formed on the first plate surface 34b thereof and then emitted forward of the lamp from the second plate surface 34a. The plurality of reflecting elements 34s are arranged in a continuous arrangement along the line L extending in a required direction. Moreover, since each reflecting element 34s has a substantially concave spherical surface shape, the following operation and effect can be obtained.

[0162] That is, on the first plate surface 34b of each bent portion 34, the plurality of reflecting elements 34s are arranged in a continuous arrangement along the line L. Therefore, the light from the light source 40 incident on each bent portion 34 is totally reflected by each reflecting element 34s and emitted forward of the lamp from the second plate surface 34a. As a result, it can be made to appear that each bent portion 34 emits light linearly along the line L.

[0163] At this time, each reflecting element 34s formed on the first plate surface 34b of each bent portion 34 has a surface shape that is substantially concave spherical. Therefore, total reflection in the reflecting element 34s occurs substantially equally in all directions. Accordingly, even if the line-of-sight direction when observing the plate-shaped light guide 30 changes greatly, the state where each bent portion 34 appears to emit light linearly along the line L can be maintained. Therefore, when the lamp is lit (i.e., when the light source 40 is lit), the optical fiber can also appear to emit light, thereby improving the appearance of the vehicle lamp 10.

[0164] Thus, according to the present embodiment, in the vehicle lamp 10 provided with the plate-shaped light guide 30, the appearance when the lamp is lit can be improved.

[0165] At this time, in the present embodiment, the width of the line L is set to a value of about 0.25 to 2 mm. Therefore, the appearance effect of the plurality of reflecting elements 34s arranged along the line L looking like optical fibers emitting light when the lamp is lit can be improved.

[0166] In the present embodiment, the first plate surface 34b is formed in a curved surface shape. Therefore, the line L can be arranged to bend and extend three-dimensionally, thereby further improving the appearance effect of looking like optical fibers emitting light when the lamp is lit.

[0167] Moreover, in the present embodiment, a plurality of lines L are arranged at intervals in a direction intersecting the above-described required direction. Therefore, when the lamp is lit, it can emit light in a state where it looks as if a plurality of optical fibers are discretely arranged, thereby further improving the appearance effect.

[0168] At this time, in the present embodiment, the interval in the above-described required direction between the lines L is set to a value larger than the width of the line L. Therefore, the effect of emitting light in a state where a plurality of optical fibers are discretely arranged can be improved.

[0169] Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment is provided with a rod-shaped light guide 42 as its lamp unit 20. The rod-shaped light guide 42 is arranged in a state of extending along the front end surface 34c1 of each bent portion 34 (i.e., the end surface in the above-described required direction). At the same time, the light source 40 is arranged such that light is incident on the rod-shaped light guide 42, and is configured such that the light from the light source 40 incident on the rod-shaped light guide 42 enters each bent portion 34 from its front end surface 34c1. Therefore, the following operational effects can be obtained.

[0170] That is, by setting a structure such that the light from the light source 40 is incident on each curved portion 34 through the rod-shaped light guide 42, the degree of freedom in arranging the light source 40 can be increased. Moreover, by such a structure, even if a plurality of lines L are arranged at intervals in a direction intersecting the above-mentioned required direction, the light from the light source 40 can easily reach the plurality of reflective elements 34s arranged along the plurality of lines L effectively.

[0171] Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 10 involved in the present embodiment is provided with a second light source 50 and a second rod-shaped light guide 52 as its lamp unit 20, and the flat plate portion 32 of the plate-shaped light guide 30 has a front end face 32a and a rear end face 32b as end faces in a direction intersecting the above-mentioned required direction, and the second rod-shaped light guide 52 is arranged in a state extending along the rear end face 32b of the flat plate portion 32, and the second light source 50 is arranged so that light is incident on the second rod-shaped light guide 52, and the light from the second light source 50 incident on the second rod-shaped light guide 52 is incident on the flat plate portion 32 from its rear end face 32b, and the light from the second light source 50 incident on the flat plate portion 32 is emitted from its front end face 32a toward the front of the lamp, so that the following effect can be obtained.

[0172] That is, when the lamp is turned on, since the light source 40 and the second light source 50 are turned on at the same time, it appears that each curved portion 34 of the plate-like light guide 30 emits light linearly along each of the multiple lines L. At the same time, the front end surface 32a of the flat portion 32 of the plate-like light guide 30 appears to be strip-shaped, thereby further improving the appearance of the vehicle lamp 10.

[0173] Furthermore, the upper and lower pairs of curved portions 34 of the plate-like light guide 30 of the present embodiment are formed by bending and extending in the upper and lower directions from the front end surface 32a of the flat portion 32. Therefore, when the lamp is turned on, the front end surface 32a of the flat portion 32 appears to emit light as an optical fiber bundle, and at the same time, the multiple reflective elements 34s formed in the upper and lower pairs of curved portions 34 can appear to emit light as multiple optical fibers extending from the optical fiber bundle.

[0174] At this time, the light from the light source 40 incident from the front end surface 34c1 of the bent portion 34 through the rod-shaped light guide 42 is not only guided to its base end side while being totally reflected at each reflective element 34s, but also the light from the second light source 50 incident from the rear end surface 32b of the flat portion 32 through the second rod-shaped light guide 52 is guided from the base end of each bent portion 34 to its front end side while being totally reflected at each reflective element 34s. Therefore, the multiple reflective elements 34s formed in each bent portion 34 can make each line L appear to emit light more brightly and uniformly over its entire length.

[0175] Further, in the present embodiment, even with respect to the left end surface 34d of the pair of upper and lower bending portions 34, it is possible to make it appear that the optical fibers emit light as if they branch off from the optical fiber bundle.

[0176] In the above-described first embodiment, the vehicle lamp 10 is described as a tail lamp. However, in addition to the tail lamp, for example, a brake lamp, a turn signal lamp, a side marker lamp, a daytime running lamp, etc. can also be used. Regardless of the location or function in the vehicle, by adopting the same structure as the above-described first embodiment, the same effects as those of the above-described first embodiment can be obtained. At this time, for example, the vehicle lamp 10 can also be configured as a tail lamp and a brake lamp. The light source 40 is lit in the tail lamp lighting mode, and at the same time, the second light source 50 is additionally lit in the brake lamp lighting mode.

[0177] Next, a modification of the above-described first embodiment will be described.

[0178] First, a first modification of the above-described first embodiment will be described.

[0179] Figure 7 The lamp unit 120 according to this modification is shown in the same figure as Figure 3 the same figure.

[0180] As shown in this figure, the basic configuration of this modification is the same as that in the above-described first embodiment. However, as the configuration of the lamp unit 120, a plate-shaped light guide 130 and upper and lower pairs of light sources 140 and rod-shaped light guides 142 are additionally arranged on the rear side of the lamp of the plate-shaped light guide 30, which is different from the above-described first embodiment in this regard.

[0181] The plate-shaped light guide 130 is configured such that the pair of upper and lower bending portions 134 have the same configuration as the pair of upper and lower bending portions 34 in the plate-shaped light guide 30, and the pair of upper and lower bending portions 134 are formed integrally by a connecting portion 136. At this time, the upper bending portion 134 is arranged in a state of being deviated obliquely upward to the left with respect to the upper bending portion 34, and the lower bending portion 134 is arranged in a state of being deviated obliquely downward to the left with respect to the lower bending portion 34.

[0182] The upper and lower pairs of light sources 140 and rod-shaped light guides 142 have the same configuration as in the case of the upper and lower pairs of light sources 40 and rod-shaped light guides 42, and the positional relationship with the pair of upper and lower bending portions 134 is also set in the same manner as in the above-described first embodiment.

[0183] Figure 8 This is a front view showing the lamp unit 120 in the lamp lit state.

[0184] As shown in the figure, the lamp unit 120 is in a state where the upper and lower pair of light sources 140, the upper and lower pair of light sources 40, and the second light source 50 are lit together. When observing the lamp unit 120 from the front direction of the lamp, together with the front end surface 32a of the flat plate portion 32 of the plate-shaped light guide 30, the plurality of reflecting elements 34s formed in the upper and lower pair of curved portions 34 and their left end surfaces 34d, the plurality of reflecting elements 134s formed in the upper and lower pair of curved portions 134 of the plate-shaped light guide 130 appear to emit light.

[0185] At this time, the light from the light source 140 incident from the front end surface 134c1 of the curved portion 134 through the rod-shaped light guide 142 is totally reflected by each reflecting element 134s while being guided toward the base end side thereof. Thus, the plurality of reflecting elements 134s formed in each curved portion 134 of the plate-shaped light guide 130 appear to emit light with substantially uniform full length for each line L.

[0186] By adopting the configuration of this modification, in each of the plate-shaped light guides 30 and 130, there are two portions in the front-rear direction of the lamp where the portions that appear to emit light linearly along the plurality of lines L exist. Therefore, when the lamp is lit, a light-emitting state with a sense of depth can be exhibited.

[0187] In the above first modification, it is described that the plate-shaped light guide 130 is disposed on the rear side of the lamp of the plate-shaped light guide 30. However, it can also be configured such that another plate-shaped light guide is disposed on the rear side of the lamp of the plate-shaped light guide 130.

[0188] Next, a second modification of the above first embodiment will be described.

[0189] Figure 9 The main part of the plate-shaped light guide 230 related to this modification is the same as Figure 4 the same figure.

[0190] As Figure 9 shown, the basic configuration of this modification is the same as that in the above first embodiment. However, the plurality of reflecting elements 234s on the first plate surface 234b of the curved portion 234 formed in the plate-shaped light guide 230 are arranged in a state of being continuously arranged in two columns along each of the plurality of lines L, which is different from the above first embodiment.

[0191] Even in this modification, each reflecting element 234s has the same concave spherical surface shape as in the above first embodiment, and the outer peripheral shape thereof is set to a circular shape of the same size.

[0192] At this time, among the respective lines L, a plurality of reflecting elements 234s located on the inner peripheral side are arranged in a state where the respective lines L are in close contact with each other in the extending direction. Also, among the respective lines L, a plurality of reflecting elements 234s located on the outer peripheral side are arranged in a state where they are shifted by a half pitch with respect to the plurality of reflecting elements 234s located on the inner peripheral side in the extending direction of the respective lines L, and are arranged in a state of being in close contact with the plurality of reflecting elements 234s located on the inner peripheral side. Therefore, the plurality of reflecting elements 234s located on the outer peripheral side are arranged in a state of being slightly separated from each other in the extending direction of the respective lines L.

[0193] Thus, each line L has a width of less than twice the outer diameter D of each reflecting element 234s, and at the same time, the plurality of reflecting elements 234s are alternately arranged at a pitch P that is half of the outer diameter D of each reflecting element 234s. At this time, when the width W is set to the same value as in the case of the first embodiment, the outer diameter D of each reflecting element 234s can be set to about half of the value in the case of the first embodiment.

[0194] Even in this modified example, the interval A in the required direction between the plurality of lines L is set to a value larger than the width W of each line L. For example, a value of A = 2W to 10W is used.

[0195] As in this modified example, if the plurality of reflecting elements 234s are configured to be arranged side by side in twos in a direction intersecting the required direction on each line L, it is possible to make each line L emit light with a more uniform brightness.

[0196] In particular, as in this modified example, by configuring the plurality of reflecting elements 234s located on the inner peripheral side and the plurality of reflecting elements 234s located on the outer peripheral side to be arranged in an alternating close-contact state with a half-pitch shift in the extending direction of each line L, it is possible to make each line L emit light with a more uniform brightness and more brightly.

[0197] Next, a third modified example of the first embodiment will be described.

[0198] Figure 10 (a) shows the main part of the plate-like light guide body according to this modified example, and is a diagram substantially the same as Figure 4 the same figure.

[0199] As shown in 10(a), the basic configuration of this modified example is the same as that in the case of the first embodiment. However, in this modified example, a plurality of reflecting elements 334s are arranged in a state of being continuously arranged in five columns along a linearly extending line L, which is different from the case of the first embodiment.

[0200] Even in this modified example, each reflecting element 334s has the same concave spherical surface shape as in the case of the first embodiment, and the outer peripheral edge shape is set to a circular shape of the same size.

[0201] At this time, in each line L, the multiple reflective elements 334s constituting each column are arranged in close contact with each other in the extension direction of the line L, and are arranged in close contact with each other in the extension direction of the line L, staggered by half a pitch between adjacent columns.

[0202] Thus, the line L has a width W less than five times the outer diameter D of each reflective element 334s, and the plurality of reflective elements 334s are arranged at a pitch P half the outer diameter D of each reflective element 334s. In this case, if the width W is to be set to the same value as in the first embodiment, the outer diameter D of each reflective element 334s may be set to a value of about 1 / 5 of that in the first embodiment.

[0203] As in the present variation, by configuring a plurality of reflective elements 334s to be arranged in parallel on line L in a direction intersecting the required direction, and by configuring the plurality of reflective elements 334s to be staggered by half a pitch in the extension direction of line L between adjacent columns, line L can appear to emit light with more uniform brightness and more brightly.

[0204] Next, a fourth modified example of the above-mentioned first embodiment will be described.

[0205] Figure 10 (b) shows the main part of the plate-shaped light guide body involved in this modification, which is Figure 4 Roughly the same picture.

[0206] As shown in FIG10( b), the basic structure of this variant is the same as that of the third variant. However, in this variant, the surface shape of each reflective element 434s is set to be a concave ellipsoidal spherical shape, which is different from the third variant.

[0207] At this time, each reflective element 434s has an elongated elliptical shape in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the line L, and all are formed with the same size.

[0208] By configuring each reflective element 434s to have an elongated elliptical shape in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the line L as in this variation, the line L can appear to emit light with more uniform brightness and more brightly compared to the third variation.

[0209] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0210] Figure 11 It is a side view showing the lamp unit 520 according to the present embodiment.

[0211] The lamp unit 520 according to this embodiment is also a lamp unit assembled in a taillight disposed at the right rear end of a vehicle, and includes a pair of upper and lower light guide units 530A and 530B and a pair of upper and lower light sources 540, and has a vertically symmetric structure.

[0212] Each of the light guide units 530A and 530B is a member made of a transparent resin (for example, acrylic resin), and has a structure in which a plate-shaped light guide 532 and a rod-shaped light guide 534 are integrally formed.

[0213] First, the configuration of the upper light guide unit 530A will be described.

[0214] The plate-shaped light guide 532 is formed in a flat plate shape, and is disposed in a state of being inclined from its left end portion toward its right end portion toward the rear side of the lamp and from its lower end portion toward its upper end portion toward the rear side of the lamp. The plate-shaped light guide 532 is formed with a certain vertical width and a certain horizontal width, and at its left lower end portion, an extension portion 532c extending toward the left direction is formed.

[0215] The rod-shaped light guide 534 is formed in a cylindrical shape and extends linearly in the horizontal direction along the upper end edge of the plate-shaped light guide 532. The left end surface of the rod-shaped light guide 534 is formed on the same surface as the left end surface of the plate-shaped light guide 532, and its right end surface 534a is located on the right side of the right end surface of the plate-shaped light guide 532.

[0216] The second plate surface 532a constituting the front surface of the plate-shaped light guide 532 is formed in a planar shape, and a plurality of reflection elements 532s and a plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 532s1 are formed on the first plate surface 532b constituting its rear surface. At this time, the plurality of reflection elements 532s and the plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 532s1 are arranged in a state of being continuously arranged along a line L extending in a required direction.

[0217] The above-mentioned required direction is set to an obliquely upward direction from the lower end portion of the plate-shaped light guide 532 toward its upper end portion, and the line L extends linearly from near the lower end edge of the plate-shaped light guide 532 until near the upper end edge. The line L is disposed at substantially equal intervals in the horizontal direction intersecting the above-mentioned required direction, and a plurality of (for example, about 5) lines are arranged. The plurality of lines L merge in a state of being bent toward the left direction at the lower end portion of the plate-shaped light guide 532, and extend in the horizontal direction as a single line until the extension portion 532c.

[0218] The specific configuration and specific shape of the plurality of reflection elements 532s and the plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 532s1 on each line L will be described below.

[0219] The light source 540 located on the upper side is disposed near the right end face 534a of the rod-shaped light guide 534 of the light guide unit 530A. The light source 40 is a red light-emitting diode and is mounted on the substrate 544 in a state where its light-emitting surface faces the right end face 534a of the rod-shaped light guide 534.

[0220] While the light from the light source 540 incident from the right end face 534a of the rod-shaped light guide 534 is totally reflected on its circumferential surface and guided toward its left end face, a part of the light is made to enter the plate-shaped light guide 532.

[0221] Next, in the plate-shaped light guide 532, the light incident from the rod-shaped light guide 534 is guided toward the lower end portion of the plate-shaped light guide 532 while being totally reflected by the plurality of reflecting elements 532s and the plurality of auxiliary reflecting elements 532s1 formed on its first plate surface 532b, and is emitted toward the front of the lamp from its second plate surface 532a.

[0222] The light guide unit 530B located on the lower side has the same configuration as the light guide unit 530A located on the upper side.

[0223] Moreover, the pair of upper and lower light guide units 530A and 530B are integrated by welding or fusing or the like in a state where the lower end face of the plate-shaped light guide 532 of the light guide unit 530A and the upper end face of the plate-shaped light guide 532 of the light guide unit 530B are in contact with each other.

[0224] Figure 12 (a) is a view showing the portion XIIa (i.e., the main part of the plate-shaped light guide 532 of the light guide unit 530B located on the lower side) as viewed from the rear side of the lamp. Figure 11 of the lamp. Figure 12 (b) is Figure 12 a cross-sectional view taken along the line b-b of (a), Figure 12 (c) is Figure 12 a cross-sectional view taken along the line c-c of (a).

[0225] As Figure 12 shown in (a), the plurality of reflecting elements 532s and the auxiliary reflecting elements 532s1 formed on the first plate surface 532b of the plate-shaped light guide 532 are arranged in a state of being continuously arranged in three columns along the line L.

[0226] At this time, the plurality of auxiliary reflecting elements 532s1 arranged along the line L are arranged in a state of being sandwiched from both sides by the plurality of reflecting elements 532s arranged along the line L.

[0227] The plurality of reflecting elements 532s constituting each of the two side columns are arranged in a state of being in close contact with each other on the line L.

[0228] Each of the reflecting elements 532s is the same as the reflecting element 34s in the above-described first embodiment, has a concave spherical surface shape, and the shape of its outer peripheral edge is set to a circular shape of the same size.

[0229] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 12 (b), a plurality of auxiliary reflecting elements 532s1 constituting the central column are formed in a stepped shape in the extending direction of the line L and are arranged in a substantially closely contacting state with each other on the line L.

[0230] Each of the auxiliary reflecting elements 532s1 has a rectangular outer shape that is long in the extending direction of the line L, and the length of its long side is set to a value approximately twice the diameter of the reflecting element 532s. Further, each of the auxiliary reflecting elements 532s1 has an inclined plane portion 532s1a formed along a plane that is inclined downward from the first plate surface 532b.

[0231] As shown in Figure 12 (b) and (c), in the plate-shaped light guide 532 of the lower light guide unit 530B, the light from the light source 540 incident from the rod-shaped light guide 534 connected to its lower end edge is guided upward (i.e., toward the upper end edge of the plate-shaped light guide 532), and on the way, it reaches each of the reflecting elements 532s and each of the auxiliary reflecting elements 532s1.

[0232] At this time, as shown in Figure 12 (c), the light reaching each of the reflecting elements 532s is diffusely reflected by total reflection on its concave spherical surface and is emitted as light that is greatly diffused forward from the second plate surface 532a toward the front of the lamp.

[0233] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 12 (b), the light reaching each of the auxiliary reflecting elements 532s1 is specularly reflected by total reflection on its inclined plane portion 532s1a and is emitted as light having a directivity close to parallel light forward from the second plate surface 532a toward the front of the lamp.

[0234] Next, the effects of the present embodiment will be described.

[0235] The lamp unit 520 according to the present embodiment includes a pair of upper and lower light guide units 530A and 530B. On the first plate surface 532b of its plate-shaped light guide 532, a plurality of reflecting elements 532s are arranged in a continuous arrangement along a line L extending in a required direction. At the same time, at an adjacent position thereto, a plurality of auxiliary reflecting elements 532s1 are arranged in a continuous arrangement along the line L. The plurality of auxiliary reflecting elements 532s1 are formed in a stepped shape in the extending direction of the line L. Therefore, the following effects can be obtained.

[0236] That is, on the first plate surface 532b of the plate-shaped light guide 532, a plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 532s1 are additionally arranged in a continuous arrangement along the line L. Therefore, the light from the light source 540 incident on the plate-shaped light guide 532 is totally reflected by each auxiliary reflection element 532s1, and when the light is emitted from the second plate surface 532a toward the front of the lamp, the emitted light can have directivity. Thus, it is possible to easily improve the light distribution performance of the vehicle lamp.

[0237] At this time, the plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 532s1 are arranged along the line L at positions adjacent to the plurality of reflection elements 532s arranged along the line L. Therefore, even when the lamp is lit, an appearance effect similar to that of a fiber optic cable emitting light can be maintained, and the light distribution performance of the vehicle lamp can be improved.

[0238] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 532s1 arranged along the line L are arranged in a state of being sandwiched from both sides by the plurality of reflection elements 532s arranged along the line L. Therefore, even when the lamp is lit, an appearance effect similar to that of a fiber optic cable emitting light can be maintained, and the light distribution performance of the vehicle lamp can be improved.

[0239] As in the present embodiment, at positions adjacent to the plurality of reflection elements 532s arranged in a continuous arrangement along the line L, the plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 532s1 are arranged in a continuous arrangement along the line L. The above structure can also be applied to the lamp unit 20 of the first embodiment, thereby obtaining the same effect as the present embodiment.

[0240] In the above second embodiment, it is described that the rod-shaped light guide 534 is formed in a cylindrical shape, but it may also be configured such that a plurality of reflection elements are continuously formed in the length direction on its outer peripheral surface.

[0241] In the above second embodiment, it is described that the plate-shaped light guide 532 is formed in a flat plate shape, but it may also be configured to be formed along a curved surface.

[0242] In the above second embodiment, it is described that each auxiliary reflection element 532s1 has an inclined plane portion 532s1a, but it may also be configured to have an inclined curved surface portion formed along a curved surface that is more inclined downward than the first plate surface 532b, instead of the inclined plane portion 532s1a. In this case, the directivity of the light emitted from the second plate surface 532a of the plate-shaped light guide 532 is weak, but the occurrence of uneven light distribution can be suppressed.

[0243] Next, a first modification of the above second embodiment will be described.

[0244] Figure 13 (a) shows the main part of the plate-shaped light guide related to this modification, and it is the same figure as Figure 12 (a).

[0245] As Figure 13 (a) shows, the basic configuration of this modified example is the same as that in the above-described second embodiment. However, in this modified example, a plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 632s1 arranged along line L are clamped, and one column of a plurality of reflection elements 632s is additionally arranged on each side of the plurality of reflection elements 632s arranged along line L, which is different from the case of the above-described second embodiment in this regard.

[0246] At this time, the plurality of reflection elements 632s constituting each additionally arranged column are arranged in a state where they are offset by a half pitch in the extending direction of line L with respect to the plurality of reflection elements 632s arranged inside thereof.

[0247] As in this modified example, by configuring a plurality of reflection elements 632s to sandwich a plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 632s1 arranged along line L on line L and arranging them in two columns, it is possible to make line L emit light with a more uniform brightness and more brightly.

[0248] At this time, the plurality of reflection elements 632s constituting each additionally arranged column are arranged in a state where they are offset by a half pitch in the extending direction of line L with respect to the plurality of reflection elements 632s constituting the column inside thereof. Therefore, due to the additional arrangement of the plurality of reflection elements 632s on line L, the width expansion of line L can be suppressed.

[0249] Next, a second modified example of the above-described second embodiment will be described.

[0250] Figure 13 (b) shows the main part of the plate-shaped light guide body according to this modified example, which is the same figure as Figure 12 (a).

[0251] As Figure 13 (b) shows, the basic configuration of this modified example is the same as that in the above-described second embodiment. However, in this modified example, a plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 732s1 are configured to be arranged in two columns along line L, and the plurality of reflection elements 732s are arranged in three columns along line L while clamping the plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 732s1 in each column, which is different from the case of the above-described second embodiment in this regard.

[0252] As in this modified example, by configuring a plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 732s1 to be arranged in two columns along line L, the amount of directional light emitted from the plate-shaped light guide body toward the front of the lamp can be increased. Thereby, the light distribution performance as a vehicle lamp can be further improved.

[0253] Also, in this modified example, the plurality of reflection elements 732s are arranged in three columns along line L while clamping the plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 732s1 in each column. Therefore, the appearance effect of looking like an optical fiber emitting light when the lamp is lit can be further improved.

[0254] Next, a third modification of the above-described second embodiment will be described.

[0255] Figure 13 (c) shows a main part of the plate-shaped light guide body according to this modification, and is the same figure as Figure 12 (a).

[0256] As Figure 13 shown in (c), the basic configuration of this modification is the same as that in the case of the above-described second embodiment. However, in this modification, a plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 832s1 arranged along line L and a plurality of reflection elements 832s that sandwich these auxiliary reflection elements 832s1 are arranged in a state where they are offset by a half pitch in the extending direction of line L, which is different from the case of the above-described second embodiment in this regard.

[0257] Also, in this modification, each auxiliary reflection element 832s1 has an outer shape that is substantially rhombic and forms a rhombic angle, which is also different from the case of the above-described second embodiment in this regard. At this time, in the above-described substantially rhombus, the width between opposite sides is set to a value slightly larger than the diameter of each reflection element 832s.

[0258] Similar to the case of the above-described second embodiment, the plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 832s1 are formed in a stepped shape in the extending direction of line L, and each auxiliary reflection element 832s1 has an inclined plane portion 832s1a.

[0259] In this modification, since a plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 832s1 and a plurality of reflection elements 832s are arranged in a state where they are offset by a half pitch in the extending direction of line L, the plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 832s1 are arranged in a state where they are substantially in close contact with each other on line L. On the other hand, the plurality of reflection elements 832s are arranged at intervals (specifically, a value less than or equal to half of the diameter of each reflection element 832s) in the extending direction of line L.

[0260] As in this modification, by configuring a plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 832s1 arranged along line L and a plurality of reflection elements 832s that sandwich these auxiliary reflection elements 832s1 in a state where they are offset by a half pitch in the extending direction of line L, since a plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 832s1 are additionally arranged on line L, the width expansion of line L can be suppressed.

[0261] In this modification, the plurality of reflection elements 832s are arranged at intervals in the extending direction of line L, and the interval is set to a value less than or equal to half of the diameter of each reflection element 832s. Therefore, due to the light from the light source that is totally reflected by the plurality of reflection elements 832s, the plate-shaped light guide body can be made to emit light linearly.

[0262] Next, a fourth modification of the above-described second embodiment will be described.

[0263] Figure 14 indicates that the lamp unit 920 involved in this modified example is the same as Figure 11 the same figure.

[0264] The basic configuration of this modified example is the same as that in the above-mentioned second embodiment. However, in this modified example, each light guide unit 930A, 930B is only composed of a plate-shaped light guide 932 (that is, the rod-shaped light guide 534 in the above-mentioned second embodiment is not provided), and each light guide unit 930A, 930B is configured such that the light from the two light sources 940 directly enters the plate-shaped light guide 932, which is different from the above-mentioned second embodiment in this regard.

[0265] That is, even in this modified example, the plate-shaped light guides 932 of each light guide unit 930A, 930B are the same as the plate-shaped light guide 532 in the above-mentioned second embodiment. The second plate surface 932a forming the front thereof is formed in a planar shape, and a plurality of reflection elements 932s and a plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 932s1 are formed on the first plate surface 932b forming the rear thereof, and an extension portion 932c is formed at the lower left end portion thereof.

[0266] On the other hand, in the upper light guide unit 930A, it is configured to dispose two light sources 940 at a certain interval near the end surface 932d on the upper side of the plate-shaped light guide 932. The configuration of each light source 940 is the same as that of the light source 540 in the above-mentioned second embodiment, and it is mounted on the common substrate 944 in a state where its light emitting surface faces the end surface 932d of the plate-shaped light guide 932.

[0267] And, in the end surface 932d of the plate-shaped light guide 932, at positions corresponding to the respective light sources 940, a light incident portion 932e is formed for making the light from the light source 940 enter the plate-shaped light guide 932 as light close to parallel light.

[0268] This light incident portion 932e is configured to be provided with a first incident portion 932e1, a pair of second incident portions 932e2, and a pair of reflection portions 932e3 in a region close to the front of the light source 940. The first incident portion 932e1 makes the light from the light source 940 refract toward the lower end portion side of the plate-shaped light guide 932 and enter, the pair of second incident portions 932e2 are on both sides of the first incident portion 932e1, and make the light from the light source 940 refract toward the side portion side and enter, and the pair of reflection portions 932e3 make the light from the light source 940 incident from each second incident portion 932e2 totally reflect toward the lower end portion side and internally reflect.

[0269] The light guide unit 930B located on the lower side and the two light sources 940 are configured such that the light guide unit 930A located on the upper side and the two light sources 940 are vertically inverted.

[0270] Figure 15 is Figure 14 a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV, where (a) is a view showing the cross-sectional shape of the auxiliary reflection element 932s1 and (b) is a view showing the cross-sectional shape of the reflection element 932s.

[0271] As Figure 15 (a) and (b) show that in the plate-shaped light guide 932 of the light guide unit 930B located on the lower side, the light from the light source 940 incident on the light incident portion 932e of the end face 932d formed on its lower side is guided upward (i.e., toward the upper edge of the plate-shaped light guide 932), and on the way, it reaches each reflection element 932s and each auxiliary reflection element 932s1.

[0272] At this time, as Figure 15 (b) shows, the light reaching each reflection element 932s is diffusely reflected by total reflection on its concave spherical surface and is emitted as light greatly diffused toward the front of the lamp from the second plate surface 932a.

[0273] On the other hand, as Figure 15 (a) shows, the light reaching each auxiliary reflection element 932s1 is specularly reflected by total reflection on its inclined plane portion 932s1a and is emitted as light having a directivity close to parallel light toward the front of the lamp from the second plate surface 932a.

[0274] Even when configured according to this modification, it is possible to easily improve the light distribution performance of the vehicle lamp by the light from the light source 940 incident on the plate-shaped light guide 932 being totally reflected by each auxiliary reflection element 932s1 and emitted from the second plate surface 932a toward the front of the lamp.

[0275] Also, even in this modification, the plurality of auxiliary reflection elements 532s1 are arranged in a state of being sandwiched from both sides by the plurality of reflection elements 532s. Therefore, it is possible to improve the appearance effect of looking like optical fibers emitting light when the lamp is lit and improve the light distribution performance of the vehicle lamp.

[0276] At this time, in this modification, it is configured such that the light from the two light sources 940 directly enters the plate-shaped light guides 932 of the respective light guide units 930A and 930B. Therefore, it is possible to make it look like the optical fibers emit light more brightly when the lamp is lit and further improve the light distribution performance of the vehicle lamp.

[0277] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0278] Figure 16 This shows the main part of the plate-shaped light guide 1030 in the lamp unit of the vehicle lamp according to the third embodiment of the present invention, which is Figure 5 substantially the same figure.

[0279] The basic configuration of the lamp unit according to this embodiment is the same as that in the above first embodiment, but the configuration of each bending portion 1034 in the plate-shaped light guide 1030 is partially different from that in the above first embodiment.

[0280] That is, even in the plate-shaped light guide 1030 of this embodiment, the multiple reflecting elements 1034s formed on the first plate surface 1034b of each bending portion 1034 are arranged in a state where they are continuously arranged in a row along each of the multiple lines L, and are arranged in a state where they are in close contact with each other on each line L.

[0281] However, in this embodiment, each reflecting element 1034s has a convex spherical surface shape, and the outer peripheral shape thereof is set to a circular shape of the same size.

[0282] As Figure 16 shown, in the lower bending portion 1034, the light from the light source 40 (refer to Figure 1 ) is guided upward, and at the same time, the light from the second light source 50 (refer to Figure 1 ) is guided downward, and these lights reach each reflecting element 1034s. At this time, the light from the light source 40 and the second light source 50 in directions other than the direction in the cross section shown in Figure 16 also reaches each reflecting element 1034s. Therefore, these lights are totally reflected in all directions by each reflecting element 1034s.

[0283] Therefore, even when the configuration of this embodiment is adopted, substantially the same effects as those in the above first embodiment can be obtained.

[0284] In the above-described embodiments and their modified examples, the numerical values represented as various parameters are merely examples, and they can be set to appropriate different numerical values.

[0285] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various changes can be made within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, and they all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp, characterized in that, comprising: a light guide body provided with a bent portion extending outward; and a rod-shaped light guide body arranged along the front end surface of the bent portion, the bent portion is arranged such that a plurality of reflection elements formed on a first plate surface of the bent portion totally reflect light from a light source provided adjacent to an end surface of the rod-shaped light guide body, and then, the light is emitted from the second plate surface of the bent portion toward the front side of the vehicle lamp, the plurality of reflection elements are arranged in a state of being continuously arranged along a line extending in a required direction along the bent portion, each of the reflection elements has a concave spherical or convex spherical surface shape.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that : the light guide body is provided with a flat plate portion extending along a horizontal plane, and the bent portion is formed to bend and extend from a front end surface of the flat plate portion.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that : it includes a plurality of the bent portions.

4. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that : the plurality of reflection elements are arranged in a state of being arranged side by side in multiple numbers in a direction intersecting the required direction on the line.

5. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that : at least a region of the first plate surface where the plurality of reflection elements are formed is formed in a curved surface shape.

6. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that : a plurality of the lines are arranged at intervals in a direction intersecting the required direction.

7. The vehicle lamp according to claim 6, characterized in that : a distance A in the required direction between the plurality of lines is set to a value larger than a width W of each line, A = 2W to 10W.

8. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that : the light guide body and the rod-shaped light guide body are integrally formed.

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