Vehicle light guide and vehicle lamp unit

Abstract

The present application performs fine light distribution control. A vehicle light guide (20) includes: an incident surface (21) for light from a light source (10) to be incident; a first reflection surface (22) for internally reflecting the light incident from the incident surface (21) to be substantially parallel light; a second reflection surface (23) for internally reflecting the light from the first reflection surface (22); a third reflection surface (24) provided at a portion of an end surface on at least one side of the left and right directions in front of the second reflection surface (23); a light shielding portion (25) for shielding a portion of the light reflected by the second reflection surface (23); and an exit surface (26) for emitting the light internally reflected by the second reflection surface (23) and passing through the light shielding portion (25) to irradiate a headlamp pattern in front of the vehicle, the second reflection surface (23) having a diffusing pattern formation surface (23N) for reflecting a portion of the light from the first reflection surface (22) toward the third reflection surface (24), and the third reflection surface (24) internally reflecting the light from the diffusing pattern formation surface (23N) toward the exit surface (26).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a light guide for vehicles and a lighting unit for vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, for example, structures have been known that integrate functions corresponding to reflectors, light shields, and projection lenses into a single vehicle light guide (see, for example, Patent Document 1). That is, such a vehicle light guide includes: an incident section into which light from a light source enters; an inner surface reflecting section (corresponding to a reflector) that reflects the incident light from its inner surface; a light shielding section (corresponding to a light shield) that blocks a portion of the light reflected from its inner surface; and an exiting section (corresponding to a projection lens) that emits light reflected from its inner surface and passing through the light shielding section to illuminate a headlight pattern in front of the vehicle.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6130602 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] The vehicle light guide described in Patent Document 1 is a structure in which light controlled by the incident portion converges to a focal point. For example, in cases where fine light distribution control is required, such as low beam, it is sometimes impossible to achieve fine light distribution control in a structure where light is controlled only by the incident portion.

[0008] The present invention was made in view of the above, and its object is to provide a light guide for vehicles and a lighting unit for vehicles capable of precise light distribution control.

[0009] Solution for solving the problem

[0010] The vehicle light guide of the present invention comprises: an incident surface into which light from a light source is incident; a first reflecting surface that internally reflects the light incident from the incident surface to make it substantially parallel; a second reflecting surface having a shape based on a paraboloid of rotation, internally reflecting the light from the first reflecting surface in a forward-rear direction in a vehicle-mounted state; a third reflecting surface having a portion of an end face disposed in front of the second reflecting surface in the forward-rear direction and in at least one side in a left-right direction in a vehicle-mounted state; a light-shielding portion that blocks a portion of the light reflected by the second reflecting surface; and an exiting surface that emits the light reflected by the inner surface of the second reflecting surface and passing through the light-shielding portion to illuminate a headlight pattern in front of the vehicle, wherein the second reflecting surface has a diffuse pattern forming surface that reflects a portion of the light from the first reflecting surface toward the third reflecting surface, and the third reflecting surface internally reflects the light from the diffuse pattern forming surface toward the exiting surface.

[0011] Furthermore, it is preferable that the third reflective surface is formed as a plane, and that the front side in the front-rear direction is inclined inward toward the inner side in the horizontal direction.

[0012] Furthermore, it is preferable that the third reflective surface has a light-diffusing portion that diffuses the light.

[0013] Furthermore, the second reflective surface preferably has a light-focusing pattern forming surface, which causes a portion of the light from the first reflective surface to undergo inner surface reflection by passing through the focal point of the parabolic sphere and the vicinity of the focal point.

[0014] Furthermore, it is preferable that the light-focusing pattern forming surface is disposed at the center of the horizontal direction, and the light-diffusing pattern forming surface is disposed on the outer side of the horizontal direction relative to the light-focusing pattern forming surface.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferable to provide multiple incident surfaces, with the incident surface located at the center in the left-right direction being arranged to face the light-focusing pattern, and the incident surface located on the outer side in the left-right direction being arranged to face the light-diffusing pattern.

[0016] The vehicle lighting unit of the present invention includes a light source and a plurality of vehicle light guides that guide and emit light from the light source.

[0017] The effects of the invention are as follows.

[0018] According to the present invention, a light guide for vehicles and a lighting unit for vehicles capable of precise light distribution control can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1This is a top view showing an example of a vehicle lighting unit according to this embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a side view showing an example of a vehicle lighting unit according to this embodiment.

[0021] Figure 3 It shows from Figure 2 The figure shows an example of viewing from the C direction.

[0022] Figure 4 It shows along Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of section AA in the diagram.

[0023] Figure 5 It shows along Figure 2 A diagram of the structure of section BB in the image.

[0024] Figure 6 It shows along Figure 2 A diagram of the structure of section BB in the image.

[0025] Figure 7 This is an example of a focused and diffused pattern of light illuminating an imaginary screen in front of a vehicle.

[0026] Figure 8 This is an example of a headlight pattern shown by an imaginary screen projecting light toward the front of the vehicle.

[0027] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing another example of a vehicle lighting unit.

[0028] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a vehicle lamp according to this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the vehicle light guide and vehicle lamp unit of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the constituent elements in the following embodiments include elements that can be substituted and easily replaced by those skilled in the art, or substantially the same elements. In the following description, the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions show the directions when the vehicle headlight is mounted on the vehicle and the direction of travel of the vehicle is observed from the driver's seat. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the up-down direction is parallel to the vertical direction, and the left-right direction is horizontal.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a top view showing an example of a vehicle lighting unit 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 This is a side view showing an example of a vehicle lighting unit 100 according to this embodiment.

[0031] The vehicle lighting unit 100 illuminates the following headlight pattern PF (see reference) in front of the vehicle. Figure 8 In this embodiment, the low beam pattern PF will be used as an example for description. The vehicle lighting unit 100 includes a light source 10 and a vehicle light guide 20. Alternatively, the vehicle lighting unit 100 may also have a structure that includes other units such as a light source, a reflector, a light shield, and a projection lens. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the structure of the vehicle lighting unit 100 mounted on a vehicle traveling on a right-hand drive road will be described as an example.

[0032] [light source]

[0033] The light source 10 is, for example, a semiconductor light source. Examples of such semiconductor light sources include LEDs and OLEDs. The emitting surface 11 is disposed opposite to the incident surface 21 of the vehicle light guide 20 described below. The emitting surface 11 is disposed facing the vehicle light guide 20. In this embodiment, multiple light sources 10 are disposed in the left-right direction, for example, four. Furthermore, the number of light sources 10 is not limited to four; it can be three or less, or five or more.

[0034] [Light guide for vehicles]

[0035] Figure 2 This is a side view showing an example of a vehicle light guide. The vehicle light guide 20 guides light from the light source 10 and projects it forward when the vehicle is mounted. The vehicle light guide 20 of this embodiment, for example, has a structure that integrates functions corresponding to those of a reflector, light shield, and projection lens in a conventional projection-type vehicle headlight. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle light guide 20 includes an incident surface 21, a first reflecting surface 22, a second reflecting surface 23, a third reflecting surface 24, a light-shielding part 25, and an exiting surface 26.

[0036] [Incident surface]

[0037] Multiple incident surfaces 21 are provided, for example, in each light source 10. Alternatively, the incident surfaces 21 may be located in positions not corresponding one-to-one with the light source 10. For example, a structure may be provided with multiple incident surfaces 21 relative to a single light source 10. The multiple incident surfaces 21 are arranged in a left-right direction when mounted in a vehicle. The incident surfaces 21 are, for example, formed in a frustum-shaped cone. In this embodiment, for example, four incident surfaces 21 are provided. The diameter r2 of the incident surfaces 21 located on the outer left-right direction is smaller than the diameter r1 of the incident surfaces 21 located on the central left-right side. In this embodiment, the diameter r2 of the two incident surfaces 21 located on the outer left-right direction is smaller than the diameter r1 of the two incident surfaces 21 located on the central left-right side. The ratio r1 / r2 of diameter r1 can, for example, be 0.5 or more and less than 1. Hereinafter, the two incident surfaces 21 on the central side in the left and right directions are sometimes labeled as central incident surfaces 21M, and the two incident surfaces on the outer side in the left and right directions are labeled as outer incident surfaces 21N to distinguish between the two.

[0038] Each incident surface 21 has a first surface 21a and a second surface 21b. The first surface 21a and the second surface 21b allow light from the light source 10 to enter. The first surface 21a is opposite to the light-emitting surface 11. The first surface 21a is either a plane or a convex surface protruding toward the light source 10. The second surface 21b is disposed to the side of the light source 10 and is arranged in a cylindrical shape to surround the light-emitting surface 11 and the first surface 21a of the light source 10.

[0039] [First reflecting surface]

[0040] The first reflecting surface 22 reflects light incident from the incident surface 21 through its inner surface, making it approximately parallel. The first reflecting surface 22 is configured to surround the second surface 21b of the incident surface 21, and light incident from the second surface 21b is reflected toward the second reflecting surface 23. In this embodiment, the first reflecting surface 22 is provided corresponding to the incident surface 21.

[0041] Figure 3 Showing from Figure 2 The structure observed in the direction of arrow C. (See image.) Figure 3 As shown, the two first reflective surfaces 22 located on the central side in the left-right direction are arranged in a state where they partially overlap each other. Specifically, the two first reflective surfaces 22 are arranged in a state where their central portions 22J are connected in a straight line.

[0042] [Second reflecting surface]

[0043] Figure 4 It shows along Figure 1 A diagram of the structure of section AA in the image. Figure 4As shown, the second reflecting surface 23 has a shape based on the paraboloid of revolution PR. The second reflecting surface 23 has a focal point P. The focal point P is located near the focal point of the exiting surface 26 described below. The second reflecting surface 23 reflects light from the first reflecting surface 22 toward the focal point P side, i.e., in front of the vehicle. The second reflecting surface 23 has an axis AX2 parallel to the optical axis AX1 of the light reflected by the first reflecting surface 22, and performs inner surface reflection of light toward the focal point P side of the paraboloid of revolution PR.

[0044] Figure 5 It shows along Figure 2 A diagram of the structure of section BB in the image. Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, multiple second reflective surfaces 23 are arranged in a left-right direction when mounted in a vehicle. Each of the multiple second reflective surfaces 23 includes a focusing pattern forming surface 23M and a diffuse pattern forming surface 23N.

[0045] like Figure 5 As shown, the light-focusing pattern forming surface 23M reflects light from its inner surface in such a way that the light passes through and near the focal point P. The light-focusing pattern forming surface 23M is one of the plurality of second reflecting surfaces 23 arranged in the vertical direction relative to the optical axis AX1 of the light source 10 in the vehicle-mounted state. The light-focusing pattern forming surface 23M is positioned at the center in the left-right direction. The light-focusing pattern forming surface 23M is arranged correspondingly to the two central side incident surfaces 21M. The light-focusing pattern forming surface 23M reflects light that has been incident on the two central side incident surfaces 21M and reflected by the first reflecting surface 22.

[0046] The diffuse pattern forming surface 23N reflects a portion of the light from the first reflecting surface 22 toward the third reflecting surface 24 described below. Therefore, the end of the diffuse pattern forming surface 23N, for example, on the side of the focusing pattern forming surface 23M in the left-right direction, becomes a shape deformed forward relative to a shape based on a parabolic surface PR. One diffuse pattern forming surface 23N is disposed on each of the outer sides in the left-right direction relative to the focusing pattern forming surface 23M. The diffuse pattern forming surface 23N is disposed corresponding to each of the outer incident surfaces 21N. The diffuse pattern forming surface 23N reflects light that has entered each of the outer incident surfaces 21N and been reflected by the first reflecting surface 22. The path of light in the diffuse pattern forming surface 23N will be described below.

[0047] [Third reflecting surface]

[0048] The third reflecting surface 24 is located in front of the second reflecting surface 23 and on a portion of its end face in the left-right direction. The third reflecting surface 24 performs inner surface reflection of light reflected by the diffuse pattern forming surface 23N. The third reflecting surface 24 faces the exiting surface 26 and performs inner surface reflection of light from the diffuse pattern forming surface 23N. The third reflecting surface 24 is, for example, planar and formed such that its front side is inclined inward in the horizontal direction. The third reflecting surface 24 is positioned to connect with both ends of the light-shielding portion 25 described below in the left-right direction. The third reflecting surface 24 has a light-diffusing portion 24a that diffuses light. The light-diffusing portion 24a diffuses the light reflected by the third reflecting surface 24 in the horizontal direction.

[0049] Figure 6 It shows along Figure 2 A diagram of the structure of section BB in the image. Figure 6 As shown, the diffuse pattern forming surface 23N reflects a portion of the light from the first reflecting surface 22 toward the third reflecting surface 24. The light reflected by the diffuse pattern forming surface 23N reaches the third reflecting surface 24. The third reflecting surface 24 performs inner surface reflection of the light toward the exiting surface 26. Thus, it is possible to suppress the total internal reflection of light from the exiting surface 26 to the inside of the vehicle light guide 20.

[0050] [Light shielding part]

[0051] The light-shielding part 25 blocks a portion of the light reflected by the inner surfaces of the second reflecting surface 23 and the third reflecting surface 24. For example, Figure 2 As shown, the light-shielding portion 25 has a shape in which a corner portion 20g is formed by the surfaces 20e and 20f of the vehicle light guide 20 disposed on the lower side in the vehicle-mounted state. The surface 20e is formed along a horizontal plane. And, for example, the surface 20f is formed in a state that slopes downward towards the front. The corner portion 20g is concave when viewed from the outside (below) of the vehicle light guide 20, and protrudes towards the inside of the vehicle light guide 20. The corner portion 20g extends linearly in the left and right direction. The light-shielding portion 25 forms a cut-off line Pc at the corner portion 20g, for example, the headlight pattern described below. The cut-off line Pc includes a horizontal cut-off line and an inclined cut-off line. In this case, the corner portion 20g has a horizontal portion (not shown) for forming the horizontal cut-off line and an inclined portion (not shown) for forming the inclined cut-off line.

[0052] A light-shielding portion 25 is provided in the region including the corner portion 20g. The light-shielding portion 25 can block light, for example, by refracting light arriving at it in a direction different from the direction of the emitting surface 26 or by reflecting it through its inner surface. Alternatively, a light-absorbing layer can be pre-positioned in the portion of the surface 20e containing the corner portion 20g corresponding to the light-shielding portion 25, and the light is blocked by absorbing the light through this light-absorbing layer. Furthermore, light reflected or refracted by the inner surface of the light-shielding portion 25 is emitted to the outside of the vehicle light guide 20 and absorbed by an inner casing or the like disposed on the outside of the vehicle light guide 20.

[0053] [Exit surface]

[0054] The light emitted from the emission surface 26, after being reflected by the inner surface of the second reflective surface 23 and passing through the light shield 25, illuminates the headlight pattern PF (see reference) in front of the vehicle. Figure 8 The exit surface 26 is, for example, curved. The exit surface 26 has a focal point and optical axis (not shown). The focal point of the exit surface 26 is located near the focal point P of the second reflecting surface 23.

[0055] A prism portion 20h is formed on the upper surface 20d of the vehicle light guide 20. The prism portion 20h diffuses the light reflected by the inner surface of the second reflecting surface 23. Therefore, it is possible to suppress glare from the light emitted from the upper surface to the outside of the vehicle light guide 20.

[0056] [action]

[0057] Next, the operation of the vehicle lighting unit 100 configured as described above will be explained. Figure 7 This diagram illustrates an example of a focused and diffused light pattern projected onto an imaginary screen in front of a vehicle. Furthermore, Figure 8 This is an example of a headlight pattern shown by an imaginary screen projecting light toward the front of the vehicle. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The diagram shows patterns corresponding to vehicles traveling on the left. Furthermore, for vehicles traveling on the right, illumination is used... Figure 7 and Figure 8 The structure of the pattern shown can be obtained by flipping it horizontally. Furthermore, Figure 7 and Figure 8 In this diagram, the VV line represents the vertical line of the screen, and the HH line represents the horizontal line. Furthermore, the intersection of the vertical and horizontal lines is set as the horizontal reference position.

[0058] By illuminating each of the light sources 10 in the vehicle lighting unit 100, light is emitted from the light-emitting surface 11. Light incident on the first surface 21a of the incident surface 21 becomes substantially parallel light after passing through the first surface 21a. Furthermore, light incident on the second surface 21b of the incident surface 21 becomes substantially parallel light after being reflected by the inner surface of the first reflecting surface 22. The light thus formed is reflected inwards towards the exiting surface 26 through the second reflecting surface 23.

[0059] For example, such as Figure 5 As shown, the light L1, which is incident from the central side incident surface 21M and reflected by the inner surface of the first reflecting surface 22 to become approximately parallel light, is reflected by the light-collecting pattern forming surface 23M. The light then passes through the focal point P in the light-shielding part 25 and the vicinity of the focal point P before exiting from the exit surface 26. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the light L1 is used to form a focused pattern P1 in front of the vehicle.

[0060] And, as Figure 6 As shown, in Figure 2 In the BB section view, i.e., the cross-section (transverse section) at a plane parallel to the horizontal plane, the diffuse pattern forming surface 23N performs inner surface reflection on the light L2 and L3 that enter from the outer incident surface 21N and are reflected by the inner surface of the first reflecting surface 22 to become approximately parallel light. The light L2, after being reflected by the inner surface of the diffuse pattern forming surface 23N, passes through the focal point P in the light-shielding part 25 and a position offset outward in the horizontal direction relative to the focal point P in the vehicle-mounted state, and exits from the exit surface 26. Using this light L2, as... Figure 7 As shown, a diffuse pattern P2 is formed in front of the vehicle. Light L3, reflected from the inner surface of the diffuse pattern forming surface 23N, reaches the third reflecting surface 24 at a position closer to the exiting surface 26 than the light-shielding portion 25, and is reflected by the inner surface of the third reflecting surface 24. When reflected by the inner surface of the third reflecting surface 24, light L3 is diffused horizontally through the light-diffusing portion 24a provided on the third reflecting surface 24. The light L3 reflected from the inner surface of the third reflecting surface 24 reaches the exiting surface 26. After reaching the exiting surface 26, the light L3 is emitted from the exiting surface 26 towards the front of the vehicle. Using this light L3, such as... Figure 7 As shown, a diffuse pattern P3 is formed in front of the vehicle. The diffuse patterns P2 and P3 are formed wider in the left-right direction than the focused pattern P1. Furthermore, since light L3 is diffused through the light-diffusing portion 24a of the third reflecting surface 24, the outline of the diffuse pattern P3 can be suppressed from becoming too defined. Therefore, the diffuse pattern P3 can be formed in a state of blending with its surroundings. In addition, Figure 6 In this diagram, we take light L2 and L3 reflected by the inner surface of the diffuse pattern forming surface 23N on the upper side of the figure as examples. However, light reflected by the inner surface of the diffuse pattern forming surface 23N on the lower side of the figure is also included in light L2 and L3. That is to say, light L2 and L3 contain... Figure 6 The light reflected from the inner surface of surface 23N is formed by the diffuse patterns on the top and bottom sides of the image.

[0061] Therefore, when each light source 10 of the vehicle lighting unit 100 is lit, such as Figure 8 As shown, a headlight pattern PF is formed in front of the vehicle by overlapping the aforementioned focusing pattern P1 and the diffused patterns P2 and P3. Therefore, a headlight pattern PF with appropriately adjusted brightness on the inner and outer sides in the left-right direction is formed in front of the vehicle.

[0062] Furthermore, in the above description, a light source 10 is configured to emit light to both central incident surfaces 21M and both outer incident surfaces 21N, but this is not a limitation. For example, a light source 10 may be configured to emit light only to the two central incident surfaces 21M, without emitting light to the two outer incident surfaces 21N. In this case, since the light from the light source 10 only enters the two central incident surfaces 21M, the vehicle light guide 20 forms only a focusing pattern P1. Also, a light source 10 may be configured to emit light only to the two outer incident surfaces 21N, without emitting light to the two central incident surfaces 21M. In this case, since the light from the light source 10 only enters the two outer incident surfaces 21N, the vehicle light guide 20 forms only diffuse patterns P2 and P3. By utilizing this combination, and through proper configuration of the unit that functions as a headlight, the lens component can be used in multiple light distribution patterns, thus reducing costs.

[0063] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing another example of a vehicle lighting unit 100A. (See diagram below.) Figure 9 As shown, the vehicle lighting unit 100A includes a light source 10 and a vehicle light guide 20A. The vehicle light guide 20A has an outer incident surface 21N disposed on the outer side in the left-right direction, a first reflecting surface 22A, a second reflecting surface 23A, and a third reflecting surface 24A corresponding to the outer incident surface 21N. The second reflecting surface 23A is a diffuse pattern forming surface 23N. The vehicle light guide 20A is relative to... Figure 1The structure of the vehicle light guide 20 shown does not include a central incident surface 21M disposed on the central side in the left-right direction, a first reflecting surface 22 corresponding to the central incident surface 21M, and a second reflecting surface 23 (focusing pattern forming surface 23M). Therefore, light incident from the light source 10 onto the vehicle light guide 20A forms diffuse patterns P2 and P3 in front of the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle light guide 20A is a diffuse light guide in which all second reflecting surfaces 23A are diffuse pattern forming surfaces 23N, forming diffuse patterns P2 and P3 in front of the vehicle. Furthermore, the other structures of the vehicle light guide (diffusing light guide) 20A are the same as those of the vehicle light guide 20 described above.

[0064] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the vehicle lamp 200 of the present invention. Figure 10 This shows an example of the vehicle as seen from the front while it is in its mounted state. Figure 10 The vehicle lamp 200 shown includes a housing 201, an outer lens 202, a light source 210, and a plurality of vehicle light guides 220. The vehicle lamp 200 has a structure in which two vehicle light guides 220 are arranged, for example, within a lamp housing surrounded by the housing 201 and the outer lens 202. Furthermore, the number of vehicle light guides 220 arranged within the lamp housing may be one or more. Moreover, when viewed from the front, the vehicle light guides 220 are not limited to a left-right arrangement; they can be arranged vertically, horizontally, or in a tilted direction, and can also be arranged in a combination of two or more of the left-right, vertical, and tilted directions. The vehicle light guides 220 can be configured by combining the same or different types of vehicle light guides 20 and 20A. Furthermore, at least one of the vehicle light guides 220 is a vehicle light guide 20 or 20A, and the remaining portion may be vehicle light guides of other structures.

[0065] As described above, the vehicle light guide 20 of this embodiment includes: an incident surface 21 into which light from the light source 10 is incident; a first reflecting surface 22 that internally reflects the light incident from the incident surface 21 to make it substantially parallel; a second reflecting surface 23 having a shape based on a parabolic prism of revolution, internally reflecting the light from the first reflecting surface 22 in the forward direction in the vehicle mounting state; and a third reflecting surface 24 disposed in front of the second reflecting surface 23 in the forward direction and on the left side in the vehicle mounting state. A portion of at least one end face in the right direction; a light-shielding portion 25 that blocks a portion of the light reflected by the second reflective surface 23; and an emission surface 26 that emits light reflected by the inner surface of the second reflective surface 23 and passing through the light-shielding portion 25 to illuminate a headlight pattern in front of the vehicle, the second reflective surface 23 having a diffuse pattern forming surface 23N that reflects a portion of the light from the first reflective surface 22 toward a third reflective surface 24, the third reflective surface 24 reflecting the light from the diffuse pattern forming surface 23N toward the emission surface 26 via its inner surface.

[0066] According to this structure, light distribution can be controlled in the second reflecting surface 23, thus enabling finer light distribution control compared to structures where light distribution is controlled only by the incident portion. Therefore, even in situations requiring fine light distribution control, such as low beams, appropriate light distribution control can be achieved. Furthermore, the third reflecting surface 24 performs inner surface reflection of light from the diffuse pattern forming surface 23N such that light arrives at an angle greater than the total reflection angle relative to the exiting surface 26, thereby suppressing total reflection of light from the exiting surface 26 to the inside of the vehicle light guide 20. Therefore, light from the light source can be used efficiently to illuminate the pattern without waste.

[0067] In the vehicle light guide 20 of this embodiment, the third reflecting surface 24 can also be formed as a plane, and the front side in the front direction is inclined inward in the horizontal direction. As a result, light can reach the light source at an angle relative to the emitting surface 26.

[0068] In the vehicle light guide 20 of this embodiment, the third reflective surface 24 may also have a light-diffusing portion 24a that diffuses light. As a result, the outline of the diffuse pattern P3 becomes clear, and the diffuse pattern P3 can be formed in a state of blending with the surroundings.

[0069] In the vehicle light guide 20 of this embodiment, the second reflective surface 23 may also have a focusing pattern forming surface 23M, which causes a portion of the light from the first reflective surface 22 to undergo inner surface reflection by passing through the focal point of the rotating parabolic surface PR and the vicinity of the focal point. By having a vehicle light guide 20 have a focusing pattern forming surface 23M and a diffuse pattern forming surface 23N, one or both of the focusing pattern P1 and the diffuse patterns P2 and P3 can be formed by a vehicle light guide 20.

[0070] In the vehicle light guide 20 of this embodiment, the focusing pattern forming surface may be disposed at the center in the horizontal direction, and the diffuse pattern forming surface 23N may be disposed on the outer side in the horizontal direction relative to the focusing pattern forming surface. By disposing the focusing pattern forming surface 23M at the center side in the left-right direction, compared to, for example, disposing it on the outer side in the left-right direction, it becomes a structure that easily focuses light onto the focal point P and the vicinity of the focal point P, thus making it easier to form the focusing pattern P1. By disposing the diffuse pattern forming surface 23N on the outer side in the left-right direction, compared to, for example, disposing it at the center side in the left-right direction, it becomes a structure that easily diffuses light in the left-right direction, thus making it easier to form diffuse patterns P2 and P3.

[0071] In the vehicle light guide 20 of this embodiment, multiple incident surfaces 21 may be provided. The incident surface 21 disposed on the central side in the left-right direction is correspondingly disposed on the light-concentrating pattern forming surface 23M, and the incident surface 21 disposed on the outer side in the left-right direction is correspondingly disposed on the diffuse pattern forming surface 23N. As a result, the light incident from the incident surface 21 can be controlled with high precision.

[0072] The vehicle lighting unit 200 of this embodiment includes a light source 210 and a plurality of vehicle light guides 220 as described above, which guide and emit light from the light source 210. According to this structure, as a whole, the vehicle lighting unit 200 can obtain a headlight pattern composed of the illumination patterns of the plurality of vehicle light guides 220.

[0073] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. In the above embodiments, the structure of the vehicle lamp unit 100 mounted on a vehicle traveling on the right-hand side of the road was described as an example, but it is not limited thereto. The same description can also be performed when a vehicle headlight is mounted on a vehicle traveling on the left-hand side of the road.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the headlight pattern PF was described using a low beam pattern as an example, but it is not limited to this; for example, it can also be a high beam pattern or other patterns. Moreover, in a vehicle lighting unit 200 that provides multiple vehicle light guides 220, vehicle light guides 220 forming different types of patterns can also be provided.

[0075] Explanation of symbols

[0076] AX1—Optical axis, AX2—Axis, L1, L2, L3—Light, P—Focus point, P1—Focusing pattern, P2, P3—Diffusing pattern, Pc—Cutoff line, PF—Headlight pattern, PR—Parabolic surface of revolution, r1, r2—Diameter, 10, 210—Light source, 11—Emitting surface, 20, 20A, 220—Light guide for vehicles, 20d—Upper surface, 20e, 20f—Surface, 20g—Corner, 20h—Prism section, 21—Incident surface, 21M—Central side entrance Surfaces: 21N—outer incident surface, 21a—first surface, 21b—second surface, 22, 22A—first reflecting surface, 22J—central part, 23, 23A—second reflecting surface, 23M—focusing pattern forming surface, 23N—diffusing pattern forming surface, 24, 24A—third reflecting surface, 24a—light diffusion part, 25—light shielding part, 26—exit surface, 100, 100A—vehicle lamp unit, 200—vehicle lamp, 201—housing, 202—outer lens.

Claims

1. A light guide for vehicles, characterized in that, have: The incident surface, into which light from the light source enters; The first reflecting surface reflects the light incident from the incident surface onto its inner surface, making it approximately parallel. The second reflective surface has a shape based on a parabolic surface of rotation, and reflects the light from the first reflective surface from the front in the front-rear direction when the vehicle is mounted. The third reflective surface is located in front of the second reflective surface in the front-rear direction and is located on at least one side of the left-right direction in the vehicle-mounted state, and extends in the up-down direction in the vehicle-mounted state. A light-shielding part that blocks a portion of the light reflected by the second reflective surface; and The light emitted from the emission surface, after being reflected by the inner surface of the second reflective surface and passing through the light-shielding part, illuminates the headlight pattern in front of the vehicle. The second reflective surface has a diffuse pattern forming surface that reflects a portion of the light from the first reflective surface toward the third reflective surface. The aforementioned third reflecting surface, facing the aforementioned emitting surface, reflects the light from the aforementioned diffuse pattern forming surface in the aforementioned left-right direction via its inner surface. A light-diffusing section is provided on the third reflective surface to diffuse the light in the horizontal direction when the vehicle is mounted.

2. The vehicle light guide according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned third reflective surface is formed in a planar shape, and the front side in the aforementioned front-rear direction is inclined to the inner side in the aforementioned horizontal direction.

3. The light guide for vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second reflective surface has a focusing pattern forming surface that causes a portion of the light from the first reflective surface to be reflected from the inner surface of the parabolic surface through the focal point and the vicinity of the focal point.

4. The light guide for vehicles according to claim 3, characterized in that, The aforementioned light-focusing pattern forming surface is positioned at the center of the aforementioned horizontal direction. The diffuse pattern forming surface is positioned on the outer side of the light-focusing pattern forming surface in the horizontal direction.

5. The vehicle light guide according to claim 4, characterized in that, Multiple incident surfaces are provided as described above. The incident surface, positioned at the center of the aforementioned left-right direction, is arranged to face the aforementioned focusing pattern. The incident surface, located on the outer side in the left-right direction, is arranged to form a face with the diffuse pattern.

6. A vehicle lighting unit, characterized in that, Equipped with a light source It also includes a plurality of light guides for vehicles according to any one of claims 1 to 5 that guide and emit light from the aforementioned light source.

Images