Vehicle lamp

Abstract

A vehicle lamp capable of suppressing a large size and forming an irradiation pattern of a desired light distribution is provided. A vehicle lamp (10) includes a plurality of light sources (21, 22, 23), a condenser lens (12) that condenses light from the plurality of light sources (21, 22, 23) to be incident from an incident surface (34) and emitted from an emission surface (35), a light shielding member (13) provided with a plurality of light transmitting portions (28) that partially pass the light condensed by the condenser lens (12), and a projection lens (14) that projects the light after passing through the light shielding member (13) to form an irradiation pattern (Pi) having a plurality of irradiation patterns (Di) corresponding to the plurality of light transmitting portions. The light sources (21, 22, 23) are provided in correspondence with the light transmitting portions, respectively, and the condenser lens (12) overlaps a plurality of condenser lens portions (31, 32, 33) corresponding to the light transmitting portions, respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a vehicle lighting fixture. Background Technology

[0002] For vehicle lighting fixtures, it is considered to form an illumination pattern with multiple illumination patterns on the road surface around the vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This conventional vehicle lighting fixture forms an illumination pattern by projecting light from a light source through a slit in the lampshade (light-shielding component), enabling the viewer to understand certain intentions. This conventional vehicle lighting fixture utilizes a light guide to direct light from the light source to the lampshade, thereby efficiently utilizing the light from the light source.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-192350 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, existing vehicle lighting fixtures diffuse light from the light source within a light guide to achieve a uniform light distribution on the lamp cover, making it difficult to adjust the light distribution on the lamp cover and to ensure that each illumination pattern forms the desired light distribution. Furthermore, existing vehicle lighting fixtures typically include a projection lens (image projection lens), a lamp cover, and more than one light source for each illumination pattern, resulting in a large overall structure.

[0008] This disclosure was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a vehicle lamp capable of suppressing enlargement and forming an illumination pattern with a desired light distribution.

[0009] Solution for solving the problem

[0010] The vehicle lighting fixture disclosed herein is characterized by comprising: a plurality of light sources; a condensing lens that concentrates light from the plurality of light sources by entering from an incident surface and exiting from an exit surface; a light-shielding member having a plurality of light-transmitting portions that allow light concentrated by the condensing lens to pass through partially; and a projection lens that projects light passing through the light-shielding member to form an illumination pattern having a plurality of illumination patterns corresponding to the plurality of light-transmitting portions, wherein the light sources are respectively provided corresponding to the light-transmitting portions, and the condensing lens is superimposed with a plurality of condensing lens portions corresponding to the light-transmitting portions.

[0011] The effects of the invention are as follows.

[0012] The vehicle lamps disclosed herein can suppress enlargement and form an illumination pattern with a desired light distribution. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is an explanatory diagram showing a vehicle lamp of Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure mounted in pairs on a vehicle and each lamp having an illumination pattern.

[0014] Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of a vehicle lighting fixture.

[0015] Figure 3 It is shown to be with Figure 2 Explanatory diagrams showing the structure of vehicle lighting fixtures as viewed from different directions.

[0016] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of each light source in two vehicle lighting fixtures.

[0017] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram showing the slits of the lamp covers in two vehicle lamps.

[0018] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram showing a condenser lens.

[0019] Figure 7 This is an explanatory diagram showing the propagation of light from a first light source in the first condenser lens section of a vehicle lamp located on the right side of the vehicle, where light enters from the axial incident surface and exits from the inner exit surface in cross-section.

[0020] Figure 8 It is shown Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the light distribution (inner region) formed by the light on the lampshade.

[0021] Figure 9 This is an explanatory diagram showing the propagation of light from a first light source in the first focusing lens section of a vehicle lamp located on the right side of the vehicle, where light enters from the inclined incident surface in cross-section, is reflected by the reflecting surface, and exits from the outer exit surface.

[0022] Figure 10 It is shown Figure 9 This diagram illustrates the light distribution (outer region) formed by the light on the lampshade.

[0023] Figure 11 It is shown Figure 7 The light shown and Figure 9 This is an explanatory diagram showing the light distribution (first region) formed on the lampshade.

[0024] Figure 12 This is an explanatory diagram showing the illumination pattern formed by a vehicle lamp located on the right side of the vehicle on a screen orthogonal to the projection optical axis.

[0025] Figure 13 This is an explanatory diagram showing the two illumination patterns formed by the paired vehicle lamps mounted on the vehicle in Embodiment 1, as viewed from the surrounding area.

[0026] Figure 14 This is an explanatory diagram showing a vehicle lamp of Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure mounted in pairs on a vehicle and each lamp having an illumination pattern.

[0027] Figure 15 This is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of each light source in two vehicle lamps of Embodiment 2.

[0028] Figure 16 This is an explanatory diagram showing the slits of the lampshade in two vehicle lamps of Embodiment 2.

[0029] Figure 17 This is an explanatory diagram showing the illumination pattern formed by the vehicle lamps mounted on the vehicle in Embodiment 2 as observed from the surroundings. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of a vehicle lamp 10, which is an example of a vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure, will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, Figure 1 , Figure 14 In order to facilitate understanding of the situation where vehicle lights 10 are installed, vehicle lights 10 are emphasized relative to vehicle 1, which may not necessarily correspond to the actual situation. Furthermore, Figure 3 In order to easily grasp the positional relationship of each light source (21, 22, 23), substrate 24 is omitted. Additionally, Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 15 , Figure 16 In the middle, the light source parts 11, 11A and the lamp covers 13, 13A of the vehicle lamps 10, 10A, which are set in pairs on the left and right, are arranged in the same left and right direction as observed from the left and right direction from the perspective of a person riding in the vehicle 1. Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 8 , Figure 10 , Figure 11 , Figure 15 , Figure 16 In order to easily grasp the positional relationship of each light source (21, 22, 23) and each slit portion 28, and the formation of light distribution (each area), the substrate 24 and the lampshade frame 26 are omitted. Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 15 , Figure 16 In order to easily understand the relationship between the positions of each light source (21, 22, 23) and the positions of each slit 28, the view observed from the front side (projection lens 14 side) along the optical axis is shown. Furthermore, Figure 8, Figure 10 , Figure 11 In order to make it easier to understand the situation where the corresponding light source (21) illuminates the slit portion 28, the situation observed from the light source side (the rear side in the direction of the optical axis) is shown. Figure 7 , Figure 9 In order to make it easier to grasp the propagation of light, the shadow showing the cross section of the condenser lens 12 (first condenser lens section 31) has been omitted. Figure 8 , Figure 10 , Figure 11 , Figure 12 In the diagram, within each region (light distribution), the darker the color, the brighter it is.

[0031] Example 1

[0032] use Figures 1 to 13 The vehicle lamp 10 of Embodiment 1, which is one embodiment of the vehicle lamp of this disclosure, will be described. Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle lamp 10 of Embodiment 1 is used as a lamp for a vehicle 1 such as an automobile. It is installed at the rear of the vehicle 1 and, unlike the taillights installed on the vehicle 1, forms an illumination pattern Pi on the road surface 2 surrounding the rear of the vehicle 1. In addition, the vehicle lamp 10 may also form an illumination pattern Pi on the road surface 2 surrounding the front and sides of the vehicle 1, and is not limited to the structure of Embodiment 1.

[0033] In embodiment 1, each vehicle lamp 10 is positioned at the rear end of the vehicle 1 at a height higher than the road surface 2, with the projection optical axis Lp (refer to...) Figure 2 The two vehicle lamps 10 are set in an inclined state relative to the road surface 2. Except for the installation position and the position forming the illumination pattern Pi, they are basically the same. Therefore, the structure will be described below only as the vehicle lamp 10. Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 10, when shown as components located on the right and left sides of the vehicle 1 (including the accompanying drawings), the end of each symbol is indicated by R for the right side and L for the left side. In the following description, in each vehicle lamp 10, the direction extending from the projection optical axis Lp, which will become the direction of the illumination light, is defined as the optical axis direction (Z in the accompanying drawings), the vertical direction when the optical axis direction is along the horizontal plane is defined as the up-down direction (Y in the accompanying drawings), and the direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction and the up-down direction (horizontal direction) is defined as the width direction (X in the accompanying drawings) (see reference). Figure 2 wait).

[0034] like Figure 2 , Figure 3As shown, the vehicle lamp 10 houses the light source 11, condenser lens 12, lamp cover 13, and projection lens 14 within a housing 15, forming a single projection optical system and constituting a projection-type road projection unit. The housing 15 consists of a generally semi-cylindrical lower component 15a and an upper component 15b, with the aforementioned components (12 to 14) positioned within the lower component 15a, and the lower component 15a fitting into the upper component 15b. Within the housing 15, there is a condenser lens groove 15c for embedding the condenser lens 12, a lamp cover groove 15d for embedding the lamp cover 13, and a projection lens groove 15e for embedding the projection lens 14. Furthermore, within the housing 15, a fixing piece 15f is provided on the lower component 15a, protruding downwards in an upward-downward direction. This fixing piece 15f is used to mount the housing 15 at the rear end of the vehicle 1, and in Embodiment 1, it is fixed within the taillight. Furthermore, the shape and other structure of the housing 15, as well as the installation location, can be appropriately set, and are not limited to the structure of Embodiment 1.

[0035] The light source unit 11 includes a first light source 21, a second light source 22, a third light source 23, and a substrate 24 for mounting them. The three light sources (21, 22, 23) are composed of light-emitting elements such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). Except for their mounting positions, each light source (21, 22, 23) has essentially the same structure, emitting white light according to a Lambertian distribution centered on the emission optical axis in Embodiment 1. Furthermore, the structure of each light source (21, 22, 23) is not limited to that of Embodiment 1, as long as the color (wavelength), distribution pattern, and number of colors are appropriately set.

[0036] like Figure 4 As shown, the three light sources (21, 22, 23) are arranged side-by-side in the vertical direction on the substrate 24 at intervals. In Embodiment 1, the third light source 23 is positioned above the projection optical axis Lp in the vertical direction and slightly inward (towards the center of the mounted vehicle 1) in the width direction. In Embodiment 1, the second light source 22 is positioned slightly above the projection optical axis Lp in the vertical direction and approximately directly above it in the width direction. In Embodiment 1, the first light source 21 is positioned below the projection optical axis Lp in the vertical direction and slightly outward (towards the outer edge of the mounted vehicle 1) in the width direction. Therefore, the three light sources (21, 22, 23) are positioned with respect to the vertical direction at an angle from the third light source 23 towards the first light source 21 and outwards.

[0037] like Figure 2As shown, three light sources (21, 22, 23) are mounted on substrate 24. Substrate 24 is equipped with a lighting control circuit, from which power is supplied appropriately to illuminate each light source (21, 22, 23). Substrate 24 is fixed to a heat sink formed of thermally conductive die-cast aluminum and resin, allowing heat generated by the light source unit 11 to be released to the outside. Substrate 24, while fixed to the heat sink, is fixed to the rear end of housing 15 (viewed from the front along the optical axis). Figure 2 , Figure 3 The right end of the lens is opposite the condenser lens 12 (its incident surface 34) housed in the housing 15.

[0038] The condenser lens 12 is a non-image-forming lens that focuses light emitted from three light sources (21, 22, 23). It has a first condenser lens section 31, a second condenser lens section 32, and a third condenser lens section 33 arranged vertically. Therefore, in Embodiment 1, the vertical direction becomes the first direction in which the condenser lens sections 31, 32, and 33 overlap. The first condenser lens section 31 is opposite to the first light source 21 in the optical axis direction (located on the emission optical axis of the first light source 21), focusing the light from the first light source 21 onto the area of ​​the lampshade 13 where the first slit section 281 is provided. The second condenser lens section 32 is opposite to the second light source 22 in the optical axis direction (located on the emission optical axis of the second light source 22), focusing the light from the second light source 22 onto the area of ​​the lampshade 13 where the second slit section 282 is provided. The third focusing lens 33 is positioned opposite the third light source 23 in the optical axis direction (located on the outgoing optical axis of the third light source 23), and focuses the light from the third light source 23 onto the area of ​​the lampshade 13 where the third slit 283 described below is provided.

[0039] In the condenser lens 12, mounting protrusions 12a are provided on the upper and lower sides in the vertical direction. The protruding ends of the two mounting protrusions 12a can be inserted into the condenser lens groove 15c of the housing 15 and can be mounted on the housing 15. The optical structure of each condenser lens part (31, 32, 33) will be described below.

[0040] The lampshade 13 is an example of a light-shielding component that forms an illumination pattern Pi by allowing light from each light source (21, 22, 23) focused by the condenser lens 12 to pass through locally. In this illumination pattern Pi, such as... Figure 1As shown, the three illumination patterns Di are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the direction away from vehicle 1. Here, when showing each illumination pattern Di separately, the illumination pattern Di farthest from vehicle 1 is designated as the first illumination pattern Di1, and so on, successively designated as the second illumination pattern Di2 and the third illumination pattern Di3 as they approach vehicle 1. Therefore, in the illumination pattern Pi, the first illumination pattern Di1 is the distant illumination pattern, the third illumination pattern Di3 is the near illumination pattern, and the middle second illumination pattern Di2 is the intermediate illumination pattern.

[0041] The illumination pattern Pi in Example 1 is obtained by dividing a fan shape with the vicinity of the rear corner of vehicle 1 into three radially. Furthermore, the third illumination pattern Di3 is a fan shape including the aforementioned vertex, the second illumination pattern Di2 is an arch shape curving at intervals along the outer edge of the third illumination pattern Di3, and the first illumination pattern Di1 is an arch shape curving at intervals along the outer edge of the second illumination pattern Di2. Therefore, the three illumination patterns Di are arranged with equal angular ranges, with the first illumination pattern Di1 being the largest and the third illumination pattern Di3 being the smallest.

[0042] The illumination pattern Pi is projected onto the road surface 2, with the inner ends of each illumination pattern Di located on a mutually equal reference line Lb. This reference line Lb serves as the reference for setting the positions of each illumination pattern Di, extending along the forward direction of the vehicle 1 at the positions of each side in the left-right direction (orthogonal to the forward direction), indicating the width of the vehicle 1 in the middle. Furthermore, the illumination pattern Pi is formed in a fan shape extending outward from the reference line Lb in the left-right direction, thus extending from the rear of the vehicle 1 to the outer side of the vehicle 1 in the left-right direction. By arranging three illumination patterns Di, the illumination pattern Pi can appear to indicate the rear of the vehicle 1. In particular, as explained below, in Embodiment 1, the illumination pattern Pi is illuminated sequentially from the illumination pattern Di closest to the vehicle 1, i.e., in the order of the third illumination pattern Di3, the second illumination pattern Di2, and the first illumination pattern Di1, thus appearing to extend diagonally to the rear of the vehicle 1. The illumination pattern Pi composed of these three illumination patterns Di is formed by a lampshade 13.

[0043] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the lampshade portion 25 is disposed on the lampshade frame portion 26. The lampshade frame portion 26 is a frame shape surrounding the lampshade portion 25 and can be inserted into the lampshade groove 15d of the housing 15 for installation on the housing 15. In Embodiment 1, the upper and lower ends of the lampshade frame portion 26 in the vertical direction are partially cut off in the width direction. The lampshade 13 is positioned so that the center position of the lampshade portion 25 is located on the projection optical axis Lp by inserting the lampshade frame portion 26 into the lampshade groove 15d.

[0044] The lampshade portion 25 is essentially formed of a plate-shaped component that blocks light transmission, and is provided with an illumination slit 27 through which a portion of the component is cut away. The illumination slit 27 allows light from each of the light sources (21, 22, 23), focused by the condenser lens 12, to pass through partially, thereby shaping the illumination pattern Pi into a predetermined shape. The illumination slit 27 corresponds to the illumination pattern Pi, as shown below. Figure 5 As shown, in Embodiment 1, three slits 28 are used. Therefore, each slit 28 functions as a light-transmitting part that allows light to pass through locally. Here, in this specification, light transmission means allowing light to pass through, including allowing light to pass through gaps in objects such as slits, and allowing light to be transmitted like a filter.

[0045] The three slits 28 correspond one-to-one with the three illumination patterns Di. Because the projection lens 14 reverses the lampshade 13 (illumination slit 27) and projects it onto the road surface 2, the positional relationship of each slit 28 relative to the illumination pattern Pi and each illumination pattern Di becomes a rotationally symmetrical positional relationship about the projection optical axis Lp (see reference). Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 (etc.). Therefore, the lowest first slit portion 281 in the vertical direction of each slit portion 28 becomes a distant slit portion corresponding to the first illumination pattern Di1 (distant illumination pattern) of the illumination pattern Pi. Furthermore, the second slit portion 282 above each slit portion 28 becomes an intermediate slit portion corresponding to the second illumination pattern Di2 (intermediate illumination pattern). Moreover, the highest third slit portion 283 of each slit portion 28 becomes a near slit portion corresponding to the third illumination pattern Di3 (near illumination pattern).

[0046] In the lampshade section 25, a slit reference line Ls (light-transmitting reference line) is provided. This slit reference line Ls corresponds to the reference line Lb of the illumination pattern Pi at each slit section 28 (illumination slit 27). The slit reference line Ls serves as a reference for the position of each slit section 28, with the outer end of each slit section 28 in the width direction located thereon. The slit reference line Ls is inclined relative to the vertical direction; in Embodiment 1, it is inclined in such a way that it moves from the upper side in the vertical direction towards the lower side and from the inner side (center side of vehicle 1) in the width direction towards the outer side. Each slit section 28 is positioned on the lampshade section 25 such that it targets each illumination pattern Di on the road surface 2. In the lampshade 13 of Embodiment 1, in the vertical direction, the third slit portion 283 is provided at a position higher than the projection optical axis Lp, and below it, near the horizontal line including the projection optical axis Lp, a second slit portion 282 is provided on the lower side of the horizontal line, and a first slit portion 281 is provided below it.

[0047] Each slit portion 28 has the same shape as its corresponding illumination pattern Di, but is reversed in all directions relative to the illumination pattern Di. Specifically, the third slit portion 283 is fan-shaped, the second slit portion 282 is an arch shape that curves at intervals along its outer edge below the third slit portion 283, and the first slit portion 281 is an arch shape that curves at intervals along its outer edge below the second slit portion 282. Light passing through the lampshade 13 (each slit portion 28 of the illumination slit 27) is projected onto the road surface 2 by the projection lens 14. The size and spacing of the three slit portions 28 are set according to their distance from the road surface 2, so that each illumination pattern Di on the road surface 2 is as described above. Figure 1 They are arranged at approximately equal intervals and of the size shown. In detail, the vehicle lamp 10 sets the projection optical axis Lp to be tilted relative to the road surface 2 so that the distance from the lamp cover 13 and the projection lens 14 to the road surface 2 is different. Therefore, when the projection is projected onto the road surface 2 using the projection lens 14, each slit portion 28 (as each illumination pattern Di of the light after passing through each slit portion 28) becomes the size and spacing corresponding to that distance.

[0048] Projection lens 14 is a lens used for imaging, and is designed to be a convex lens that is approximately circular in shape when viewed along the optical axis, such as... Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the surface is a freeform surface with convex incident and exit surfaces. The projection lens 14 forms an illumination pattern Pi (see reference) on the road surface 2, which is inclined relative to the projection optical axis Lp, through the illumination slits 27 (each slit portion 28) of the projection lamp cover 13. Figure 1 (etc.). Furthermore, the incident and exit surfaces can both be convex lenses, either convex or concave, and are not limited to the structure of Embodiment 1. When the projection lens 14 is inserted into the projection lens slot 15e of the housing 15, it is mounted in the housing 15 with the projection lens optical axis aligned with the projection optical axis Lp. That is, the projection lens optical axis of the projection lens 14 becomes the projection optical axis Lp.

[0049] Next, use Figures 6 to 12 The structure of the condenser lens 12 will be described. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the condenser lens 12 is configured such that, when viewed from the front along the optical axis, each condenser lens portion (31, 32, 33) is approximately rectangular in width, with the first condenser lens portion 31, the second condenser lens portion 32, and the third condenser lens portion 33 overlapping sequentially from bottom to top. In Embodiment 1, the condenser lens 12, with the condenser lens portions (31, 32, 33) overlapping, is formed to be approximately the same size (in both width and vertical directions) as the lampshade portion 25 of the lampshade 13 (see reference). Figure 2 , Figure 3(etc.). The condenser lens 12 appropriately focuses the diffused light emitted as a whole from each light source (21, 22, 23) onto the corresponding slit portion 28 (and its periphery) and propels it toward the lampshade portion 25.

[0050] Regarding the size of the condenser lens 12 in the vertical direction, the first condenser lens section 31 is the largest, and the third condenser lens section 33 is the smallest. In Embodiment 1, the ratio of the size of the condenser lens 12 in the vertical direction is set as first condenser lens section 31: second condenser lens section 32: third condenser lens section 33 = 5:4:3. Therefore, relatively speaking, the first condenser lens section 31 receives the most incident light from the first light source 21, while the third condenser lens section 33 receives the least incident light from the third light source 23.

[0051] like Figure 7 , Figure 9 As shown, the condenser lens 12 has an incident surface 34 opposite to the light source 11 and an exit surface 35 facing the opposite side. In order to properly illuminate each slit portion 28 of the lampshade 13 with light emitted from the light source 11, i.e., each light source (21, 22, 23), the condenser lens 12 of Embodiment 1 performs optical settings for the incident surface 34 and the exit surface 35. Here, in the condenser lens 12, each condenser lens portion (31, 32, 33) has an incident surface 34 and an exit surface 35, and each is optically set in relation to its corresponding slit portion 28. Moreover, in each condenser lens portion (31, 32, 33), when minor optical settings caused by differences in the size and shape of the corresponding slit portion 28 are excluded, the basic structure of each incident surface 34 and the basic concept of focusing light relative to the slit portion 28 are the same. Therefore, the structure and optical settings of the incident surface 34 and the exit surface 35 will be described below using the first condenser lens 31 (31R) of the vehicle lamp 10 (10R) provided on the right side of the vehicle 1 as an example, while omitting the structure and optical settings of the remaining second condenser lens 32 and third condenser lens 33.

[0052] In the incident surface 34 of the first condenser lens section 31, the central portion is recessed towards the inside of the condenser lens 12 (the side opposite to the light source section 11), and has an axial incident surface 36 that curves outward from its center and an inclined incident surface 37 surrounding the axial incident surface 36. Furthermore, a frustum-shaped reflecting surface 38 surrounding the inclined incident surface 37 is provided around the periphery of the incident surface 34 of the first condenser lens section 31.

[0053] The on-axis incident surface 36 is disposed opposite to the first light source 21 on its outgoing optical axis, with the first light source 21 located near the rear focal point (rear focal point). The on-axis incident surface 36 focuses the light emitted from the first light source 21 toward the inner outgoing surface 41 of the incident surface 34 and directs it into the condenser lens 12 (see reference). Figure 7 ).

[0054] The inclined incident surface 37 is provided protruding towards the first light source 21, allowing light from the first light source 21 that does not advance towards the axial incident surface 36 to enter the condenser lens 12. The reflecting surface 38 is positioned at the point where light entering the condenser lens 12 from the inclined incident surface 37 will advance. The reflecting surface 38 reflects the light entering from the inclined incident surface 37 and focuses it in a manner that it advances towards the outer exiting surface 42 described below (see reference). Figure 9 Furthermore, the reflecting surface 38 can reflect light using total internal reflection, or it can reflect light by bonding aluminum, silver, etc., through vapor deposition, coating, etc. Thus, the incident surface 34 allows light emitted from the first light source 21 to enter efficiently and be guided towards the exit surface 35.

[0055] Therefore, in the condenser lens 12, the light passing through the axial incident surface 36 at the incident surface 34 becomes direct light directly facing the exit surface 35, and the light after being reflected by the reflecting surface 38 after passing through the inclined incident surface 37 becomes reflected light that is internally reflected before facing the exit surface 35. The incident surface 34 of each condenser lens section (31, 32, 33) of the condenser lens 12 has the above-described structure, thus enabling efficient utilization of light emitted from the corresponding light source (21, 22, 23).

[0056] The exit surface 35 causes light incident from the incident surface 34 to exit from the front side in a forward-backward direction. For example... Figure 6 As shown, in each condenser lens section (31, 32, 33), the exit surface 35, when viewed from the front, is approximately rectangular in shape with a longer width, and has an inner exit surface 41 and an outer exit surface 42 with different optical settings. The inner exit surface 41 is located near the center of the exit surface 35 and is in the area where light travels after passing through the on-axis incident surface 36 (see reference). Figure 7 In Example 1, the inner exit facet 41 is approximately circular when viewed from the front. The inner exit facet 41 protrudes further outward from the condenser lens 12 (toward the projection lens 14 (front side in the front-rear direction)) than the outer exit facet 42.

[0057] like Figure 7As shown, the inner exit surface 41 refracts light after it passes through the on-axis incident surface 36, thereby diffusing light in the width direction (horizontal direction) while advancing towards the front in the front-rear direction. The inner exit surface 41 illuminates light from the first light source 21 after it passes through the on-axis incident surface 36, forming multiple light distribution images of the first light source 21 on the lampshade 13 (each slit portion 28 of its lampshade portion 25) at positions appropriately overlapping with the optical characteristics. These optical characteristics can be set by adjusting the curvature (surface shape) of the on-axis incident surface 36 and the inner exit surface 41 according to each location; in Embodiment 1, the curvature is set to gradually change. The inner exit surface 41 illuminates the lampshade 13 with light emitted from the first light source 21 after passing through the on-axis incident surface 36, forming... Figure 8 The inner region Ai is shown. This inner region Ai includes the entire area of ​​the first slit portion 281 corresponding to the first condenser lens portion 31 (first light source 21). In the inner region Ai, the entire area of ​​the first slit portion 281 has a substantially uniform amount of light.

[0058] The outer emission face 42 is disposed in the region separated from the inner emission face 41 in the width direction (the outer side of the inner emission face 41 in the width direction (see reference)). Figure 6 etc., such as Figure 9 As shown, this is the region where light from the first light source 21 travels after passing through the inclined incident surface 37 and being reflected by the reflecting surface 38. The outer exiting surface 42 is located inside the condenser lens 12 (rearward side in the front-back direction) compared to the inner exiting surface 41. The outer exiting surface 42 refracts the light from the first light source 21 after passing through the inclined incident surface 37 and being reflected by the reflecting surface 38, while the first condenser lens 31 (first light source 21) focuses the light at a predetermined position (area) on the corresponding first slit 281, causing the light to travel forward in the front-back direction. By irradiating the light reflected by the reflecting surface 38, the outer exiting surface 42 forms multiple light distribution images of the first light source 21 on the lampshade 13, appropriately overlapping at positions corresponding to the optical characteristics. These optical characteristics can be set by adjusting the curvature (surface shape) of the reflecting surface 38 and the outer exiting surface 42 according to each location; in Embodiment 1, the curvature is set to gradually change.

[0059] The light emitted from the first light source 21 by the outer exit surface 42, after being reflected by the reflective surface 38 through the inclined incident surface 37, illuminates the lampshade 13, forming... Figure 10The outer region Ao is shown. This outer region Ao locally brightens the aforementioned predetermined position. This predetermined position is set from the viewpoint that, in order to achieve the desired brightness of the first illumination pattern Di1 formed on the road surface 2 by the light passing through the first slit portion 281, the light distribution formed by the light from the first light source 21 after passing through the inner emitting surface 41 is supplemented. The outer region Ao of Embodiment 1 is set from the viewpoint of ensuring the brightness near the reference line Lb in the illumination pattern Pi, so that the slit reference line Ls side on the first slit portion 281 is locally brightened. This outer region Ao is brighter than the inner region Ai near the slit reference line Ls of the first slit portion 281 as the highest value of light, and the area up to the middle position in the width direction of the first slit portion 281 is a bright area.

[0060] In this way, the first condensing lens section 31 uses light passing through the inner emitting surface 41 to form an inner region Ai that mainly brightens the entire area of ​​the first slit section 281, and uses light passing through the outer emitting surface 42 to form an outer region Ao that brightens the area near the slit reference line Ls of the first slit section 281. Furthermore, the first condensing lens section 31 forms... Figure 11 The first region A1 is shown. This first region A1 is the region where the inner region Ai and the outer region Ao overlap, making the entire area of ​​the first slit portion 281 brighter, and making the area near the slit reference line Ls of the first slit portion 281 brightest.

[0061] Furthermore, in the condenser lens 12, the second condenser lens section 32 and the third condenser lens section 33 adopt essentially the same structure as the first condenser lens section 31, and are optically configured with the same concept as the first condenser lens section 31. That is, the second condenser lens section 32 utilizes the light from the second light source 22 after passing through the inner exit surface 41 to mainly form an inner region that brightens the entire area of ​​the second slit section 282, and utilizes the light from the second light source 22 after passing through the outer exit surface 42 to form an outer region centered around the slit reference line Ls of the second slit section 282. Thus, the second condenser lens section 32 forms a second region by emitting light from the second light source 22 from the inner exit surface 41 and the outer exit surface 42 as described above, thereby overlapping the inner and outer regions. This second region is the region formed by the overlap of the inner and outer regions, which brightens the entire area of ​​the second slit section 282, and makes the area near the slit reference line Ls of the second slit section 282 the brightest.

[0062] Furthermore, the third condenser lens 33 utilizes light from the third light source 23 after passing through the inner exit facet 41 to primarily form an inner region that brightens the entire area of ​​the third slit portion 283, and utilizes light from the third light source 23 after passing through the outer exit facet 42 to form an outer region centered around the slit reference line Ls of the third slit portion 283. Thus, the third condenser lens 33 forms a third region by emitting light from the third light source 23 from the inner exit facet 41 and the outer exit facet 42 as described above, causing the inner and outer regions to overlap. This third region, formed by the overlap of the inner and outer regions, brightens the entire area of ​​the third slit portion 283, with the area near the slit reference line Ls of the third slit portion 283 being the brightest.

[0063] Therefore, by focusing the light from each light source (21, 22, 23), the condenser lens 12 can make the area near the slit reference line Ls in each slit portion 28 brightest on the lampshade 13, and also brighten the entire area of ​​each slit portion 28. In this way, the condenser lens 12 primarily brightens the entire area of ​​the corresponding slit portion 28 using the light from each light source (21, 22, 23) after passing through the inner exit surface 41, and supplements the local brightness of the corresponding slit portion 28 using the light from each light source (21, 22, 23) after passing through the outer exit surface 42. Thus, the condenser lens 12 has the function of making each slit portion 28 achieve the desired light distribution.

[0064] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the vehicle lamp 10 has multiple light shields 44 provided in the focusing light path 43 between the condensing lens 12 (each condensing lens portion (31, 32, 33)) and the lamp cover 13 (each of its slit portions 28). This focusing light path 43 is the light path through which the condensing lens 12 focuses the light from each light source (21, 22, 23) onto the lamp cover 13.

[0065] Multiple light-shielding plates 44 are formed from plate-shaped components that block the transmission of light. The light-shielding plates 44 divide the focusing light path 43 in each combination of the condensing lens section (31, 32, 33) and the corresponding slit section 28. Specifically, in the focusing light path 43, a light-shielding plate 44 is provided between the space from the first condensing lens section 31 to the first slit section 281 and the space from the second condensing lens section 32 to the second slit section 282. Furthermore, in the focusing light path 43, a light-shielding plate 44 is provided between the space from the second condensing lens section 32 to the second slit section 282 and the space from the third condensing lens section 33 to the third slit section 283. Thus, the focusing optical path 43 is divided by two light-shielding plates 44 into a first optical path section 43a from the first focusing lens section 31 to the first slit section 281, a second optical path section 43b from the second focusing lens section 32 to the second slit section 282, and a third optical path section 43c from the third focusing lens section 33 to the third slit section 283. Therefore, in the focusing optical path 43, light from each focusing lens section (31, 32, 33) can be prevented from advancing into the non-corresponding slit section 28 (causing so-called crosstalk).

[0066] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 The vehicle lamp 10 is assembled as follows. First, three light sources (21, 22, 23) are mounted on the substrate 24 to assemble the light source unit 11. Then, in the lower component 15a of the housing 15, the two mounting protrusions 12a of the condenser lens 12 are inserted into the condenser lens groove 15c, the lampshade frame 26 of the lampshade 13 is inserted into the lampshade groove 15d, and the projection lens 14 is inserted into the projection lens groove 15e. Next, the upper component 15b is fitted into the lower component 15a to form the housing 15. At its rear end (viewed from the front along the optical axis direction)... Figure 2 , Figure 3 On the right end side, the light source 11, which is fixed to the heat sink, is fixed to the substrate 24. Then, the condenser lens 12, lampshade 13, and projection lens 14 are housed in the housing 15, and the light source 11 is positioned opposite the condenser lens 12. Thus, the vehicle lamp 10 is assembled by arranging the condenser lens 12, lampshade 13, and projection lens 14 in a predetermined positional relationship along the projection optical axis Lp, starting from the light source 11 side. The vehicle lamp 10 is installed in the lamp housing of the rear light (see reference 15) with the projection optical axis Lp facing the rearward side of the vehicle 1 and inclined relative to the road surface 2 surrounding the vehicle 1. Figure 1 ).

[0067] Next, the function of the vehicle lamp 10 will be explained. The vehicle lamp 10 illuminates and extinguishes appropriately by supplying power from the lighting control circuit to each light source (21, 22, 23) from the substrate 24. The light from each light source (21, 22, 23) is focused by the condenser lens 12 and illuminates the lamp cover 13. After passing through the illumination slits 27 (each slit portion 28), it is projected by the projection lens 14, thereby forming an illumination pattern Pi on the projection surface (road surface 2 in the case of being mounted on the vehicle 1). Regarding this illumination pattern Pi, by using the projection lens 14 to project the light after passing through the illumination slits 27 (each slit portion 28) of the lamp cover 13 with the above-described light distribution, three illumination patterns Di are arranged on the inner end, which is located on the reference line Lb. Figure 12 This illustrates the formation of the illumination pattern Pi on a screen orthogonal to the projection optical axis Lp. Figure 12 In the illumination pattern Pi, unlike the case where light is formed from vehicle 1 on road surface 2, the light distribution formed by condenser lens 12 at each slit 28 is roughly reflected in the same manner. Figure 12 In the illumination pattern Pi, the entire area of ​​each slit portion 28 becomes brighter, and the reference line Lb side (the right side when viewed from the front) of each slit portion 28 is the brightest.

[0068] Furthermore, when the vehicle lamp 10 forms the illumination pattern Pi on the road surface 2, due to its tilt relative to the road surface 2 in its own setting state, the brightness decreases according to the distance to each illumination pattern Di, thereby making each illumination pattern Di have approximately uniform brightness throughout its respective area. In other words, the vehicle lamp 10 takes into account the effect of tilt relative to the road surface 2 and sets the light distribution in each slit portion 28 to make the light distribution of the illumination pattern Pi on the road surface 2 the desired distribution. Here, in each illumination pattern Di, the area near the slit reference line Ls in each slit portion 28 (on the illumination slit 27) becomes brighter, thus making the outline of each slit portion 28 clear. Therefore, even when the brightness difference between each illumination pattern Di is uniform, the brightness difference near the reference line Lb corresponding to the slit reference line Ls can be clearly defined, the outline can be clearly grasped, and the area along the reference line Lb can be easily observed.

[0069] The vehicle lights 10 are linked to the reversing lights. When the vehicle 1 is in reverse (drive gear reversed), the third light source 23, the second light source 22, and the first light source 21 are illuminated in that order. At this time, the third light source 23 and the second light source 22 remain illuminated once lit, and turn off simultaneously with the last illuminated light source 21. Thus, as... Figure 13As shown, two vehicle lights 10 illuminate the road surface 2 behind the vehicle 1 in the order of third illumination pattern Di3, second illumination pattern Di2, and first illumination pattern Di1 to form a pair of illumination patterns Pi. Therefore, even in situations where the vehicle 1 is about to reverse from a parked position, the vehicle lights 10 can form the illumination pattern Pi at a separate position behind the vehicle 1, even if people nearby cannot visually confirm or have difficulty visually confirming the vehicle 1's reverse lights, thus making the illumination pattern Pi visually confirmable. Furthermore, since the vehicle lights 10 illuminate the illumination pattern Pi in the order of third illumination pattern Di3, second illumination pattern Di2, and first illumination pattern Di1, it is possible to instantly detect when the vehicle 1 is about to reverse and to draw the attention of the vehicle 1 to the rear.

[0070] Furthermore, in each illumination pattern Di of the left and right illumination patterns Pi formed by the vehicle lamps 10, the inner ends of the vehicle 1 in the left and right directions are arranged on the baseline Lb (see reference). Figure 1 The baseline Lb extends along the forward direction of the vehicle 1 at the positions of each side in the left-right direction. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 enables objects around the vehicle 1, the driver, and others, via images from cameras on the vehicle 1, to identify the width of the vehicle 1. Thus, the vehicle lamp 10 can be used as a parking aid for the vehicle 1, for example, in a scenario where the vehicle 1 is being parked, by using the illumination pattern Pi.

[0071] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 10, the vertical ratio of the size of the condenser lens 12 is set as 5:4:3 for the first condenser lens section 31: second condenser lens section 32: third condenser lens section 33. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 10, the farther away the position forming the illumination pattern Di is, the larger the corresponding condenser lens section (31, 32, 33) becomes. Thus, the farther the position forming the illumination pattern Di is, the more concentrated the light from the corresponding light source (21, 22, 23) can be. Here, each illumination pattern Di is lit in order from near to far. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 10, the condenser lens section (31, 32, 33) corresponding to the light source (21, 22, 23) that is lit later in the lighting sequence has a larger size in the first overlapping direction (vertical direction) of each condenser lens section. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can compensate for the dimming of the illumination pattern Di due to the difference in the distance formed by the difference in the amount of incident light, and can reduce the difference in brightness between the illumination patterns Di caused by the difference in distance.

[0072] The vehicle lamp 10 reduces the brightness difference between illumination patterns Di caused by distance differences by adjusting the size of each condenser lens portion (31, 32, 33) in the condenser lens 12, thus suppressing the need for larger size to reduce this brightness difference. This is for the following reasons. First, if simply brightening each illumination pattern Di is desired, the condenser lens 12, lampshade 13, and projection lens 14 can be increased relative to each light source (21, 22, 23). However, increasing each part (12, 13, 14) in this way would result in an overall larger size. Therefore, by increasing the size of each condenser lens portion (31, 32, 33) without increasing the size of the light shield 13 and projection lens 14, the overall size increase is suppressed, and the incident light from each light source (21, 22, 23) is increased. However, if only the individual focusing lens portions are enlarged, the angle relative to the projection optical axis Lp increases from the direction of the focusing lens portions (denoted as 31 and 33 in Embodiment 1) toward the corresponding slit portion 28 of the lampshade 13. Consequently, the light traveling in this direction is more significantly affected by the off-axis aberrations in the projection lens 14, making it difficult to properly form the corresponding illumination pattern Di, i.e., the illumination pattern Pi. In contrast, in the vehicle lamp 10, the focusing lens 12 is set to approximately the same size as the lampshade 13 and the projection lens 14, and the ratio of the individual focusing lens portions (31, 32, 33) in the first direction (vertical direction) of the focusing lens 12 increases as the lighting sequence of the light sources (21, 22, 23) increases. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can suppress large size and reduce the brightness difference between illumination patterns Di caused by distance differences. In particular, the vehicle lamp 10 integrates each condenser lens portion (31, 32, 33) into a condenser lens 12, which helps to reduce its size and allows for the proper formation of each illumination pattern Di. This is because, for example, when the condenser lens portions are joined using an adhesive, the size increases by the amount of adhesive thickness, and the positioning of the condenser lens portions becomes difficult, which may affect the position of each illumination pattern Di.

[0073] The vehicle lamp 10 divides the focusing light path 43 from each focusing lens section (31, 32, 33) to the corresponding slit section 28 according to each corresponding combination by a light shield 44. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can prevent light from each focusing lens section (31, 32, 33) in the focusing light path 43 from advancing into the non-corresponding slit section 28, and can more clearly form the desired illumination pattern Di, i.e., the illumination pattern Pi.

[0074] The vehicle lamp 10 has each light source (21, 22, 23) tilted outward from the third light source 23 toward the first light source 21 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, in each slit portion 28 (illumination slit 27), the slit reference line Ls corresponding to the reference line Lb of the illumination pattern Pi is tilted outward from the inner side (center side of the vehicle 1) in the width direction, moving from the upper side to the lower side in the vertical direction. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 arranges each light source (21, 22, 23) in a first direction (vertical direction) overlapping with each condenser lens portion (31, 32, 33) on the light-shielding member (13) tilted towards the reference line Lb. Thus, when the vehicle lamp 10 projects onto the road surface 2 through the projection lens 14, it can position each illumination pattern Di as a target, forming the desired illumination pattern Pi on the road surface 2.

[0075] Here, existing vehicle lamps described in prior art documents employ multiple light guides corresponding to multiple light sources to efficiently utilize light from each source. In these existing vehicle lamps, each light guide diffuses light internally, emitting light with a substantially uniform light distribution. The light passing through each light guide illuminates the lampshade (shielding member), thereby achieving a substantially uniform light distribution on the lampshade. Furthermore, existing vehicle lamps are configured such that a shielding portion is provided for each illumination slit, guiding light from the light source corresponding to each light guide portion onto this shielding portion, thus guiding light to a different shielding portion for each light source. Therefore, with each increase in the number of illumination patterns Pi, the number of lampshades and light guides in existing vehicle lamps also increases, resulting in a larger overall structure. Moreover, existing vehicle lamps utilize light guides to guide light, making it difficult to achieve the desired light distribution on the lampshade as in creating a locally high-light-intensity area within a single illumination slit, and making it difficult to adjust the light distribution of the illumination pattern on the road surface.

[0076] In contrast, the vehicle lamp 10 is provided with a single condenser lens 12 corresponding to the condenser lens section (31, 32, 33). This condenser lens section (31, 32, 33) guides light from each light source (21, 22, 23) inward from the incident surface 34 and emits it from the exit surface 35. Furthermore, in the condenser lens 12, the vehicle lamp 10 directs light emitted from each light source (21, 22, 23) in a direction approximately along the projection optical axis Lp into the axial incident surface 36 of the incident surface 34, and directs light emitted from the direction of diffusion of each light source (with a large angle relative to the projection optical axis Lp) into the inclined incident surface 37 of the incident surface 34 and reflects it by the reflecting surface 38. Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 10 ensures that light passing through the on-axis incident surface 36 is primarily emitted from the inner exit surface 41 of the exit surface 35, and that light reflected by the reflective surface 38 after passing through the inclined incident surface 37 is primarily emitted from the outer exit surface 42 of the exit surface 35. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can use corresponding focusing lens sections (31, 32, 33) to focus light from the light source (21, 22, 23) onto the corresponding slit section 28 in a desired manner, thus enabling each slit section 28 to achieve a desired light distribution, thereby allowing adjustment of the light distribution of the illumination pattern Pi on the road surface. In particular, in the vehicle lamp 10 of Embodiment 1, the focusing methods for light emitted from the inner exit surface 41 and light emitted from the outer exit surface 42 can be set separately in each focusing lens section (31, 32, 33), thus making it simpler and more appropriate to achieve a desired light distribution in each slit section 28.

[0077] Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 10 uses a single condenser lens 12 formed by overlapping condenser lens sections (31, 32, 33), and provides multiple slits 28 on a single lampshade 13. Therefore, compared with conventional vehicle lamps that provide lampshades for each illumination slit and provide light guides to guide light from each light source to each lampshade, the vehicle lamp 10 can suppress the increase in the size of the overall structure.

[0078] Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 10 uses a single focusing lens 12 to achieve the desired light distribution on the lamp cover 13. Specifically, the vehicle lamp 10 uses light passing through the axial incident portion 36 of the incident surface 34 and the inner exit portion 41 of the exit surface 35 to form the inner region Ai on the lamp cover 13, and uses light passing through the inclined incident portion 37 of the incident surface 34 and reflected by the reflecting surface 38 before passing through the outer exit portion 42 of the exit surface 35 to form the outer region Ao on the lamp cover 13. Moreover, the vehicle lamp 10 forms each illumination area by overlapping the aforementioned two regions (Ai, Ao) with each slit portion 28 on the lamp cover 13. In each slit portion 28, the light intensity is set to the highest value near the slit reference line Ls, which is the reference line Lb side on the illumination pattern Pi, thus illuminating the entire area. Therefore, by using a single focusing lens 12 for each light source (21, 22, 23), the vehicle lamp 10 can illuminate the lamp cover 13 with the desired light distribution.

[0079] In this way, the vehicle lamp 10 can form an illumination pattern Pi with the desired light distribution, and compared with existing vehicle lamps, it has a simpler structure and can be miniaturized. Furthermore, in a single condenser lens 12, the vehicle lamp 10 guides the light from each light source (21, 22, 23) inward along the corresponding condenser lens sections (31, 32, 33) and focuses it out from the exit surface 35, thus guiding the three lights to their respective slit sections 28. Moreover, in the condenser lens 12, the vehicle lamp 10 uses the difference between the light paths formed by the on-axis incident surface 36 and the inner exit surface 41, and the light paths formed by the inclined incident surface 37, the reflecting surface 38, and the outer exit surface 42, to illuminate two regions (Ai, Ao) with different positions, sizes, and light distributions in each slit section 28. Therefore, even when using a single condenser lens 12 for each light source (21, 22, 23), the light distribution on the lamp cover 13 of the vehicle lamp 10 can be easily adjusted. Thus, compared to existing vehicle lamps, the vehicle lamp 10 minimizes the need for large sizes and facilitates the formation of light distributions in each slit 28 on the lamp cover 13. Furthermore, by aligning the condenser lens portions (31, 32, 33) and the light sources (21, 22, 23) with each slit 28, the vehicle lamp 10 can sequentially form each illumination pattern Di by illuminating each light source in turn.

[0080] The vehicle lamp 10 of Example 1 can achieve the following effects.

[0081] The vehicle lamp 10 includes multiple light sources (21, 22, 23), a condenser lens 12, a light-shielding component (lamp cover 13), and a projection lens 14. Each light source and a slit portion 28 (light-transmitting portion) are respectively provided, and the multiple condenser lens portions (31, 32, 33) corresponding to the condenser lens 12 and the slit portion 28 overlap. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can use the corresponding condenser lens portions to focus the light from each light source onto the corresponding slit portion 28 in a desired manner. As a result, the vehicle lamp 10 can make each slit portion 28 have a desired light distribution, and can adjust the light distribution of the illumination pattern Pi on the road surface. Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 10 uses a single condenser lens 12 and provides multiple slit portions 28 on a single lamp cover 13, thus suppressing the increase in the size of the overall structure compared to conventional vehicle lamps.

[0082] In the vehicle lamp 10, multiple focusing lens sections (31, 32, 33) have an on-axis incident surface 36 disposed on the emission optical axis of the corresponding light source and multiple inclined incident surfaces 37 (in Embodiment 1, these are paired inclined incident surfaces 37 separated by the on-axis incident surface 36) inclined relative to the on-axis incident surface 36, and a reflecting surface 38 corresponding to each inclined incident surface 37. Therefore, by utilizing the difference between the two regions formed by the on-axis incident surface 36 and the inner emission surface 41, and the light path formed by the inclined incident surface 37, the reflecting surface 38, and the outer emission surface 42, the vehicle lamp 10 can easily form the desired light distribution in each slit section 28.

[0083] In the vehicle lamp 10, multiple focusing lens sections (31, 32, 33) have an inner emitting surface 41 disposed on the emitting optical axis of the corresponding light source and corresponding to the on-axis incident surface 36, and an outer emitting surface 42 disposed opposite to the inner emitting surface 41 and corresponding to the reflecting surface 38. Furthermore, the inner emitting surface 41 of the vehicle lamp 10 diffuses the light after passing through the on-axis incident surface 36 towards the corresponding slit portion 28, while the outer emitting surface 42 focuses the light from the reflecting surface 38 towards a desired position within the corresponding slit portion 28. The vehicle lamp 10 forms multiple light distribution images such that the shape of the light source (21, 22, 23) corresponding to the light after passing through the on-axis incident surface 36 remains largely unchanged, thus enabling uniform illumination of the entire slit portion 28. Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 10 can be formed by deforming the shape of multiple light distribution images of the light sources (21, 22, 23) corresponding to the light after passing through the outer emitting surface 42, but since the light is locally focused at the desired position, the effect of this deformation can be minimized. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can easily and appropriately form the desired light distribution in each slit 28.

[0084] In the vehicle lamp 10, multiple light sources (21, 22, 23) are illuminated sequentially. In the condenser lens 12, the size of the condenser lens portion (31, 32, 33) corresponding to the light source (21, 22, 23) that is illuminated later in the lighting sequence is larger in the first direction (vertical direction). Therefore, even when the vehicle lamp 10 illuminates each illumination pattern Di in the order from near to far, it can suppress the enlargement of the light source and reduce the difference in brightness between the illumination patterns Di caused by the difference in distance.

[0085] The vehicle lamp 10 divides the focusing light path 43 from each focusing lens section (31, 32, 33) to the corresponding slit section 28 according to each corresponding combination by a light shield 44. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can prevent light after passing through each focusing lens section (31, 32, 33) from advancing into the non-corresponding slit section 28, and can more clearly form the desired illumination pattern Di (illumination pattern Pi).

[0086] The vehicle lamp 10 integrates multiple condenser lens sections (31, 32, 33) to form a condenser lens 12. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can be further miniaturized and can appropriately form various illumination patterns Di.

[0087] The vehicle lamp 10 sets a reference line Lb for arranging multiple illumination patterns Di in the illumination pattern Pi, and sets a slit reference line Ls (light-transmitting reference line) corresponding to the reference line Lb in the light-shielding member (lamp cover 13). The arrangement direction of the multiple light sources (21, 22, 23) is tilted on the side of the light-shielding member (13) towards the slit reference line Ls relative to the first direction (vertical direction) where each focusing lens part (31, 32, 33) overlaps. Therefore, when the vehicle lamp 10 projects onto the road surface 2 through the projection lens 14, it can make each illumination pattern Di a target positional relationship, and can form the desired illumination pattern Pi on the road surface 2.

[0088] Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10, as an embodiment 1 of the vehicle lamp of this disclosure, can suppress large size and form an illumination pattern Pi with a desired light distribution.

[0089] Example 2

[0090] Next, use Figures 14 to 17 The vehicle lamp 10A, which is one embodiment of this disclosure, will be described. The vehicle lamp 10A forms an illumination pattern PiA that is different from that of the vehicle lamp 10 of Embodiment 1. The basic concept and structure of the vehicle lamp 10A are the same as those of the vehicle lamp 10 of Embodiment 1, therefore, the same symbols are used to mark the parts with the same structure, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0091] like Figure 14 As shown, the vehicle lamp 10A of Embodiment 2 forms an illumination pattern PiA on the road surface 2 behind the vehicle 1. The illumination pattern PiA has three illumination patterns DiA arranged in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1 behind the vehicle 1, and these three illumination patterns DiA are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the direction away from the vehicle 1. Here, when showing each illumination pattern DiA separately, the illumination pattern farthest from the vehicle 1 is designated as the first illumination pattern DiA1, and as it approaches the vehicle 1 from this point, it is designated as the second illumination pattern DiA2, the third illumination pattern DiA3, and so on. Therefore, in the illumination pattern PiA, the first illumination pattern DiA1 is the distant illumination pattern, the third illumination pattern DiA3 is the near illumination pattern, and the second illumination pattern DiA2 in the middle is the intermediate illumination pattern.

[0092] Each illumination pattern DiA is a V-shaped mark that opens relatively wide in the forward direction of vehicle 1, and they are all the same size. In the illumination pattern PiA, the direction in which the vertices of the V-shapes of each illumination pattern DiA are arranged is set as the arrow direction, and its indicating side (the side of the first illumination pattern DiA1) is set as the front side of the arrow direction. By arranging three illumination patterns DiA, the illumination pattern PiA can appear from vehicle 1 as an arrow pointing in the arrow direction. In the illumination pattern PiA, a reference line LbA is set. The reference line LbA extends along the arrow direction, i.e., the left-right direction of vehicle 1, and is located outside each illumination pattern DiA (the side away from vehicle 1, viewed from the front). Figure 14 (At the bottom). That is, the outer end of each irradiated pattern DiA is located on the reference line LbA.

[0093] In order to form the illumination pattern PiA described above, the structure of the light source section 11A and the lamp cover 13A of the vehicle lamp 10A differs from that of the vehicle lamp 10 of Embodiment 1. In the light source section 11A, each light source (21, 22, 23) emits amber light (amber-colored light) in a Lambertian distribution centered on the outgoing light axis. In the light source section 11A, as... Figure 15As shown, the positional relationship of the first light source 21, the second light source 22, and the third light source 23 on the substrate 24 differs from that of the vehicle lamp 10. In Embodiment 2, the third light source 23 is located above the projection optical axis Lp in the vertical direction and outside the projection optical axis Lp in the width direction (the outer edge of the vehicle 1 on which it is mounted). In Embodiment 2, the second light source 22 is located slightly above the projection optical axis Lp in the vertical direction and slightly outside the projection optical axis Lp in the width direction. In Embodiment 2, the first light source 21 is located below the projection optical axis Lp in the vertical direction and inside the projection optical axis Lp in the width direction (the center of the vehicle 1 on which it is mounted). Therefore, the three light sources (21, 22, 23) are positioned with a relatively large tilt relative to the vertical direction, moving from the third light source 23 towards the first light source 21 and towards the inside.

[0094] In lampshade 13A, such as Figure 16 As shown, three slits 28A (light-transmitting portions) are provided, each corresponding one-to-one with one of the three illumination patterns Di. Each slit 28A is projected onto the road surface 2 by the lampshade 13A (illumination slit 27A) being reversed by the projection lens 14. Therefore, the positional relationship of each illumination pattern DiA relative to the illumination pattern PiA becomes a rotationally symmetrical positional relationship about the projection optical axis Lp (see reference). Figure 14 , Figure 16 , Figure 17 Therefore, the innermost first slit 28A1 (center side of the mounted vehicle 1) in the width direction of each slit 28A becomes a distant slit corresponding to the first illumination pattern DiA1 (distant illumination pattern) of the illumination pattern PiA. Furthermore, the second slit 28A2 (outer edge side of the mounted vehicle 1) on the outer side of each slit 28A becomes an intermediate slit corresponding to the second illumination pattern DiA2 (intermediate illumination pattern). And the outermost third slit 28A3 becomes a near slit corresponding to the third illumination pattern DiA3 (near illumination pattern).

[0095] Each slit portion 28A is positioned on the lampshade portion 25 such that it targets the irradiated pattern DiA on the road surface 2. In the lampshade 13A of Embodiment 2, the irradiated patterns DiA are arranged side by side in a direction that is significantly inclined from the upper side in the vertical direction to the lower side and towards the inner side in the width direction. In the lampshade 13A, the center of the third slit portion 28A3 is located above the projection optical axis Lp in the vertical direction and outside the projection optical axis Lp in the width direction. Furthermore, in the lampshade 13A, the center of the second slit portion 28A2 is located below the projection optical axis Lp in the vertical direction and inside the projection optical axis Lp in the width direction. Furthermore, in the lampshade 13A, the first slit portion 28A1 is located below the center of the second slit portion 28A2 in the vertical direction and inside the center of the second slit portion 28A2 in the width direction.

[0096] Each slit portion 28A, with the same topography as its corresponding illumination pattern DiA, is shaped to mimic a large, open V-shape, reversed vertically and horizontally relative to each illumination pattern Di. The size, shape, and spacing of the three slit portions 28A are set according to the distance to the road surface 2 and the angle between the road surface 2 and the projection optical axis Lp, so that each illumination pattern DiA on the road surface 2 is of equal size and approximately equally spaced. In detail, the vehicle lamp 10A is tilted relative to the road surface 2 by the projection optical axis Lp, resulting in different distances from the lamp cover 13A and the projection lens 14 to the road surface 2. Therefore, when projection is made onto the road surface 2 using the projection lens 14, each slit portion 28A (as each illumination pattern DiA through which light passes) becomes the size and spacing corresponding to this distance.

[0097] Therefore, the size and spacing of each slit portion 28A are set according to the distance to the road surface 2 so that the irradiated patterns Di on the road surface 2 are approximately equally spaced as described above. Specifically, in Embodiment 1, the first slit portion 28A1 imitates the shape of a thin V-shaped mark, the second slit portion 28A2 imitates the shape of a V-shaped mark that is thicker than the first slit portion 28A1, and the third slit portion 28A3 imitates the shape of a V-shaped mark that is thicker than the second slit portion 28A2. Furthermore, in the irradiated slit 27A, the slit reference line LsA on the lampshade 13A is curved, and each slit portion 28A is deformed relative to each irradiated pattern Di in a manner consistent with the curvature of the slit reference line LsA.

[0098] The vehicle lamp 10A is assembled in the same manner as the vehicle lamp 10 of Embodiment 1, and is positioned at the rear of the vehicle 1 with the projection optical axis Lp pointing towards the outer rear side of the vehicle 1 and inclined relative to the road surface 2 surrounding the vehicle 1 (see reference). Figure 14At this time, the slit reference line LsA of the vehicle lamp 10A is curved on the lamp cover 13A, but by projecting it onto the road surface 2, the corresponding reference line LbA becomes approximately straight and is approximately parallel to the left-right direction of the vehicle 1. Furthermore, with the vehicle lamp 10A positioned at the rear of the vehicle 1, the housing 15 rotates around the projection optical axis Lp. Thus, the vehicle lamp 10A can adjust the direction (arrow direction) of the arrangement of the three illumination patterns DiA and the curvature of the reference line LbA within the illumination pattern PiA formed on the road surface 2. Therefore, by appropriately setting the posture of the housing 15 around the projection optical axis Lp, the vehicle lamp 10A can make the direction (arrow direction) of the arrangement of the three illumination patterns DiA and the reference line LbA consistent with the left-right direction of the vehicle 1. Thus, as... Figure 14 As shown, the vehicle lamp 10A can form an illumination pattern PiA on the road surface 2 behind the vehicle 1, which is formed by arranging three illumination patterns DiA arranged in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1.

[0099] In Embodiment 2, the vehicle lamp 10A is linked to the turn signals. If either the left or right turn signal is illuminated, the light sources (21, 22, 23) located on the illuminated side will light up, forming an illumination pattern PiA on the road surface 2. At this time, the illumination pattern PiA illuminates in the same order as in Embodiment 1: the third illumination pattern Di3, the second illumination pattern Di2, and the first illumination pattern Di1. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10A, for example... Figure 17 As shown, when vehicle 1 is about to turn left from a side road, even if the turn signal of vehicle 1 is difficult to see, the illumination pattern PiA formed on the road surface 2 can be visually confirmed. Therefore, even if a large vehicle 1B is behind vehicle 1 and does not notice the flashing turn signal of vehicle 1, the driver of a bicycle, motorized two-wheeler, etc., located behind vehicle 1 will still create a large illumination pattern PiA on the road surface 2, thus allowing instantaneous recognition of vehicle 1's left turn. Furthermore, when vehicle 1's hazard lights are illuminated, both vehicle lights 10 on the left and right sides simultaneously create illumination patterns Pi on the road surface 2 (see reference). Figure 14 Therefore, compared to simply flashing the left and right turn signals, it can more reliably identify when a hazard light is illuminated.

[0100] The vehicle lamp 10A of Embodiment 2 can achieve the following effects. The vehicle lamp 10A has a basically the same structure as the vehicle lamp 10 of Embodiment 1, and therefore can achieve the same effects as Embodiment 1.

[0101] In addition, when the vehicle lamp 10A is mounted on the vehicle 1, the orientation of the multiple illumination patterns Di in the projected illumination pattern Pi can be adjusted by rotating the housing 15 around the projection optical axis Lp. Here, the vehicle lamp 10A is located at the rear of the vehicle 1, but its placement and size are limited. Therefore, the adjustment of the orientation of each illumination pattern DiA in the illumination pattern Pi (the direction in which the reference line LbA extends) is limited, and sometimes the desired orientation cannot be achieved (in embodiment 2, the left-right direction of the vehicle 1). The vehicle lamp 10A has the structure described above, so by rotating the housing 15 around the projection optical axis Lp, the orientation of each illumination pattern DiA can be adjusted to achieve the desired orientation. In other words, the vehicle lamp 10A can take into account the rotation of the housing 15 to set the size and shape of each slit portion 28A and the slit reference line LsA on the lamp cover 13A, thus making their setting easier compared to the case where the rotation of the housing 15 is not considered.

[0102] Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10, as embodiment 2 of the vehicle lamp of this disclosure, can suppress large size and form an illumination pattern PiA with a desired light distribution.

[0103] The vehicle lighting fixtures of this disclosure have been described above based on various embodiments. However, the specific structure is not limited to each embodiment. As long as it does not depart from the spirit of the invention involved in each claim, design changes, additions, etc. are permitted.

[0104] Furthermore, in each embodiment, the three irradiation patterns Di of the above shape are arranged along the above direction to form an irradiation pattern Pi. However, the irradiation pattern can be formed by a light-shielding member, and the pattern, the position of formation, and the number of irradiation patterns Di can be appropriately set, and the structure of each embodiment is not limited. In addition, the vehicle lamp 10 is provided at the rear of the vehicle 1 in each embodiment, but as long as it is provided in the vehicle 1 according to the position of forming the irradiation pattern relative to the vehicle 1, it can also be housed in the rearview mirror of the door, or disposed in the lamp housing of the headlight, the lamp housing of the taillight (the lamp housings on the left and right sides of the rear of the vehicle), or provided on the body, and the structure of each embodiment is not limited.

[0105] Furthermore, in each embodiment, a lampshade 13 is used as the light-shielding component, which allows light focused by the condenser lens 12 to pass through each slit portion 28 (28A) of the illumination slit 27. However, the light-shielding component can be any structure other than those provided with multiple light-transmitting portions (slit portions) that allow light focused by the condenser lens to pass through partially, and is not limited to the structure of each embodiment. As another structure, for example, an illumination slit that allows light to pass through partially can be provided in a plate-shaped film component that blocks the transmission of light, and a light-shielding plate (filter) can be provided to allow light passing through the condenser lens to pass through the illumination slit.

[0106] Furthermore, in each embodiment, vehicle lamps 10 and 10A are provided in the vehicle 1 driven by the driver. However, vehicle lamps can also be provided in vehicles with autonomous driving functions, and are not limited to the structure of each embodiment. In this case, the vehicle lamps only need to form an illumination pattern at a time corresponding to their intended purpose, that is, at a time corresponding to certain intentions related to the operation of the vehicle 1, and are not limited to the structure of each embodiment.

[0107] In various embodiments, steps are provided on the inner emitting surface 41 and the outer emitting surface 42 of the condenser lens 12's emitting surface 35. However, vehicle lamps may omit the steps on the inner emitting surface 41 and the outer emitting surface 42 in the emitting surface 35, and may still have the same optical characteristics; the structure is not limited to each embodiment. Here, in the condenser lens, if steps are not provided on the inner and outer emitting surfaces, light near their boundaries can be prevented from being refracted or reflected by the steps and traveling in an unwanted direction, thus enabling more efficient use of light.

[0108] In each embodiment, three slit portions 28 (28A) are provided on the lampshade 13, and correspondingly, three condensing lens portions (31, 32, 33) are provided in the condensing lens 12, and three light sources (21, 22, 23) are provided. However, as long as multiple light-transmitting portions (slit portions) are provided, and multiple condensing lens portions and multiple light sources are provided in the condensing lens respectively, the number can be appropriately set and is not limited to the structure of each embodiment.

[0109] In each embodiment, the size ratio of the condenser lens 12 in the vertical direction is set to 5:4:3 for the first condenser lens section 31: second condenser lens section 32: third condenser lens section 33. However, in the condenser lens, as long as the size of the condenser lens section corresponding to the light source that is lit later in the order is larger in the first direction (vertical direction), the ratio can be set appropriately and is not limited to the structure of each embodiment.

[0110] In each embodiment, the focusing optical path 43 is divided by a light-shielding plate 44 in each combination from each focusing lens section (31, 32, 33) to the corresponding slit section 28 (light-transmitting section). However, this may be omitted if the light after passing through each focusing lens section does not advance to the non-corresponding slit section (light-transmitting section), and the structure is not limited to each embodiment.

[0111] Explanation of symbols

[0112] 10, 10A—Vehicle lamps; 12—Condensing lens; 13, 13A—(as an example of a light-shielding component) lampshade; 14—Projection lens; 15—Box; 21—First light source; 22—Second light source; 23—Third light source; 28—(as an example of a light-transmitting part) slit; 31—First condensing lens part; 32—Second condensing lens part; 33—Third condensing lens part; 34—Incident surface; 35—Exit surface; 36—On-axis incident surface; 37—Inclined incident surface; 38—Reflecting surface; 41—Inner exit surface; 42—Outer exit surface; 43—Condensing light path; 44—Light shield; Di, DiA—Illumination pattern; Lb—Baseline; Pi—Illumination pattern.

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp, comprising: Multiple light sources; A condensing lens, which focuses light from multiple light sources as it enters from the incident surface and exits from the exit surface; A light-shielding component, which is provided with multiple light-transmitting portions that allow light focused by the aforementioned condenser lens to pass through partially; and The projection lens projects light that has passed through the aforementioned light-shielding component, thereby forming an illumination pattern having multiple illumination patterns corresponding to the multiple light-transmitting portions. The aforementioned light sources and the aforementioned light-transmitting portions are respectively provided. The aforementioned condensing lens has multiple condensing lens sections that correspond to the aforementioned light-transmitting portions. The aforementioned vehicle lighting fixtures are characterized by, The aforementioned illumination pattern is defined by multiple baselines for arranging the aforementioned illumination patterns. In the aforementioned light-shielding component, a light-transmitting portion reference line corresponding to the aforementioned reference line is provided. The direction in which the multiple aforementioned condenser lens sections overlap is defined as the first direction. The direction in which the plurality of light sources are arranged is inclined relative to the first direction on the side of the light-shielding member that is inclined toward the reference line of the light-transmitting part.

2. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The incident surfaces of the plurality of aforementioned condenser lens portions have an on-axis incident surface disposed on the emission optical axis of the corresponding light source, and a plurality of inclined incident surfaces inclined relative to the on-axis incident surface. Each of the aforementioned focusing lens portions has a reflective surface corresponding to each of the aforementioned inclined incident surfaces.

3. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 2, characterized in that, The exit surfaces of the plurality of aforementioned condenser lens portions have an inner exit surface disposed on the exit optical axis and corresponding to the incident surface on the axis, and an outer exit surface disposed opposite to the reflective surface and corresponding to the inner exit surface. The aforementioned inner exit surface causes the light, after passing through the aforementioned incident surface on the axis, to diffuse in the direction of the corresponding light-transmitting portion. The aforementioned outer emitting surface focuses the light from the aforementioned reflective surface toward the desired position in the corresponding aforementioned light-transmitting portion.

4. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple of the above light sources are lit in sequence. In the aforementioned condenser lens, the condenser lens portion corresponding to the light source that is lit later in the order of illumination has a larger size in the first direction.

5. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, A focusing optical path is established between the multiple aforementioned focusing lens sections and the corresponding aforementioned light-transmitting sections. The aforementioned focusing optical path is divided by a light-shielding plate in each combination of the aforementioned focusing lens section and the aforementioned light-transmitting section.

6. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned condensing lens is formed by integrating multiple of the aforementioned condensing lens units.

7. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple light sources, the aforementioned focusing lens, the aforementioned light-shielding component, and the aforementioned projection lens are fixed to the housing. When the aforementioned housing is mounted on a vehicle, by rotating it around the projection optical axis, the orientation of the multiple projection patterns in the projected projection pattern can be adjusted.

Images