Vehicle lamp

Abstract

The vehicle lamp has: multiple light sources (2A, 2B) that emit light (L) in the same direction as each other; and a light guide (3) that guides the light (L). The light guide (3) has: multiple light guide portions (6A, 6B) that extend in the same direction as each other from positions opposite to the multiple light sources (2A, 2B) and are arranged side by side; and an emission portion (12) that is disposed on the front side of the light guide portion (6B) that is closest to the front side among the multiple light guide portions (6A, 6B). The multiple light guide portions (6A, 6B) have the following structure: their length increases sequentially from the back side to the front side of the light guide (3), and there is a gap (7) between the light guide portion (6A) on the back side and the light guide portion (6B) on the front side adjacent to each other. The front end of the light guide portion (6A) on the back side is connected to the light guide portion (6B) on the front side via a connecting portion (8).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to vehicle lighting fixtures.

[0002] This application is based on and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-151725, filed on September 17, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] Conventionally, vehicle lamps mounted on vehicles have been known to combine light sources such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with light guides such as internal lenses (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). Various forms of vehicle lamps have been developed due to the diversity of their designs.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle lamp as a direction indicator (turn signal), which has: a plurality of light sources that emit light in the same direction as each other; and a light guide that guides the light emitted from the plurality of light sources in the same direction as each other. The vehicle lamp emits light sequentially while illuminating the plurality of light sources in turn, and exhibits a flow of light emission along the vehicle width direction on the light-emitting surface of the light guide.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-183287 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] However, in vehicle lights that emit light sequentially as described above, a sufficiently long light-emitting surface is required along the direction of the light flow in order to visually identify the light flow. Additionally, a sufficient number of light sources are needed to achieve sequential light emission.

[0010] The present invention provides a vehicle lamp that can improve visual recognition based on sequential light emission, even when the length of the light-emitting surface is short and the number of light sources is small.

[0011] Methods for solving problems

[0012] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following structure.

[0013] [1] A vehicle lamp comprising: a plurality of light sources emitting light in the same direction toward each other; and a light guide guiding the light emitted from the plurality of light sources, the light guide comprising: a plurality of light guide portions extending from positions opposite to the plurality of light sources in the same direction toward each other and arranged side by side; a plurality of incident portions disposed at the base end side of the plurality of light guide portions, incident on the light emitted from the light sources inward; and a plurality of first reflective portions disposed on the side of the plurality of light guide portions opposite to the incident portions, reflecting the light guided toward the front end side of the light guide portion toward the front side of the light guide portion. The light guide includes: a plurality of second reflective portions disposed on the back side of the plurality of light guide portions, which reflect light incident on the back side of the light guide portion toward the front side of the light guide portion; and an emission portion disposed on the front side of the light guide portion closest to the front side of the plurality of light guide portions, which emits light reflected by the first reflective portion and the second reflective portion to the outside. The plurality of light guide portions have the following structure: their lengths increase sequentially from the back side of the light guide to the front side, and there is a gap between the light guide portions on the back side and the light guide portions on the front side that are adjacent to each other. The front end of the light guide portion on the back side is connected to the light guide portion on the front side via a connecting portion.

[0014] [2] According to the vehicle lamp described in [1] above, the emitting part includes: a first light-emitting area that emits light using light reflected by the first reflective part; and a second light-emitting area that emits light using light reflected by the second reflective part, wherein the first light-emitting area emits light more strongly than the second light-emitting area.

[0015] [3] According to the vehicle lamp described in [2] above, the emission portion has a light-emitting surface in which the first light-emitting area and the second light-emitting area are alternately arranged along the vehicle width direction, and the vehicle lamp performs sequential light emission on the light-emitting surface while illuminating the plurality of light sources in sequence, and exhibits sequential light emission based on the flow of light emission from the first light-emitting area and the second light-emitting area.

[0016] [4] The vehicle lamp according to any one of [1] to [3] above, characterized in that the first reflective portion includes an inclined surface inclined toward the front side of the light guide portion, and the second reflective portion includes a plurality of reflective cuts arranged in a direction extending along the light guide portion.

[0017] [5] The vehicle lamp according to [4] above is characterized in that the plurality of reflective cuts are provided on the back side of the light guide in a position other than the portion opposite to the slit portion.

[0018] [6] The vehicle lamp according to [5] above is characterized in that the plurality of reflective cuts are provided throughout the adjacent inclined surfaces in the direction in which the light guide extends.

[0019] Invention Effects

[0020] According to the present invention, a vehicle lamp can be provided that improves visual recognition based on sequential light emission, even when the length of the light-emitting surface is short and the number of light sources is small. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the structure of a vehicle lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 The front view of the structure of the vehicle lighting fixture shown.

[0023] Figure 3 It means Figure 1 The diagram shows a top view of the structure of a vehicle lighting fixture.

[0024] Figure 4 It means Figure 1 The rear view of the structure of the vehicle lighting fixture shown.

[0025] Figure 5 It means Figure 1 The side view of the structure of the vehicle lighting fixture shown.

[0026] Figure 6 It means Figure 1 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the light path in a vehicle lighting fixture.

[0027] Figure 7 It means Figure 1 The diagram shows a three-dimensional view of the structure of the lamp body in a vehicle lighting fixture.

[0028] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a vehicle lamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a vehicle lamp according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a vehicle lamp according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a vehicle lamp according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 12This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a vehicle lamp according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 13 This is a sectional view of the main part representing a variation of the light source. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings used in the following description, the scale of the dimensions is sometimes different depending on the component to facilitate observation of each component, and the size ratios of each component are not necessarily the same as the actual dimensions.

[0036] In addition, in the following figures, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is set, with the X-axis direction set as the front-to-back direction (length direction) of the vehicle lamp, the Y-axis direction set as the left-to-right direction (width direction) of the vehicle lamp, and the Z-axis direction set as the up-down direction (height direction) of the vehicle lamp, to illustrate the different directions.

[0037] (First Implementation)

[0038] First, as a first embodiment of the present invention, for example... Figures 1 to 7 The vehicle lamp 1 shown is explained below.

[0039] also, Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional diagram showing the structure of vehicle lighting fixture 1. Figure 2 This is a front view showing the structure of vehicle lighting fixture 1. Figure 3 This is a top view showing the structure of vehicle lighting fixture 1. Figure 4 This is a rear view showing the structure of vehicle lighting fixture 1. Figure 5 This is a side view showing the structure of vehicle lighting fixture 1. Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing the light path of the light L in vehicle lamp 1. Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional diagram showing the structure of the lamp body 4 of the vehicle lamp 1.

[0040] The vehicle lighting fixture 1 of this embodiment applies, for example, the present invention to a direction indicator (turn signal) that is symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the front or rear side of a straddle-type vehicle such as an automatic two-wheeler or an automatic three-wheeler (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle").

[0041] Specifically, such as Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the vehicle lamp 1 includes: a plurality of light sources 2A and 2B (two in this embodiment) that emit light L in the same direction; a light guide 3 that guides the light L emitted from the plurality of light sources 2A and 2B; and a lamp body 4 that holds the plurality of light sources 2A and 2B and the light guide 3.

[0042] The lamp body 4 is mounted on a bracket supported by a single arm along the width of the vehicle from the front side. Multiple light sources 2A and 2B are arranged inside the housing portion 4a located at the front end of the lamp body 4. The light guide 3 has a cover portion 3a that closes the housing portion 4a, and the cover portion 3a is integrally mounted to the periphery of the housing portion 4a by welding or the like.

[0043] Multiple light sources 2A and 2B are composed of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit orange light (hereinafter referred to as "lights"). The multiple light sources 2A and 2B are arranged in a front-rear direction along one side of the circuit board 5. The circuit board 5 is mounted to the inside of the housing 4a by means of threaded fastening or the like.

[0044] Thus, each light source 2A, 2B emits light L radially in a direction perpendicular to one side of each circuit board 5 (vehicle width direction). That is, these multiple light sources 2A, 2B form a structure in which they emit light L radially in the same direction.

[0045] In addition, a partition wall 4b is provided on the inner side of the housing 4a to separate one light source (hereinafter referred to as "first light source") 2A and another light source (hereinafter referred to as "second light source") 2B that are adjacent to each other.

[0046] Furthermore, the multiple light sources 2A and 2B are not necessarily limited to structures mounted on different circuit boards 5 as described above. For example, they can also be structures mounted on the same surface of the same circuit board 5.

[0047] Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment is configured such that a connector portion (not shown) including wiring electrically connected to the circuit board 5 described above is led outward from the base end side of the lamp body 4.

[0048] The light guide 3 has multiple (two in this embodiment) light guide portions 6A and 6B extending in the same direction from positions opposite to the multiple light sources 2A and 2B, respectively. The light guide portions 6A and 6B have an elongated shape whose width in the front-to-back direction gradually increases from the base end side to the front end side.

[0049] Multiple light guides 6A and 6B are arranged side-by-side in the front-rear direction of the light guide 3, and their lengths increase sequentially from the back side to the front side of the light guide 3. Specifically, among these multiple light guides 6A and 6B, the light guide 6B located on the front side (hereinafter referred to as "second light guide") has a longer extension direction than the light guide 6A located on the back side (hereinafter referred to as "first light guide"). In other words, the light guide 6A located on the back side (in this embodiment, the first light guide 6A and the second light guide 6B) has a shorter extension direction than the second light guide 6B located closer to the front side than the first light guide 6A located on the back side.

[0050] The light guide 3 has a first light guide portion 6A extending from a position opposite to the first light source 2A. The light guide 3 also has a second light guide portion 6B extending from a position opposite to the second light source 2B.

[0051] The first light guide 6A and the second light guide 6B extend in the same direction.

[0052] Furthermore, the light guide 3 has the following structure: a gap 7 is provided between adjacent first light guide portions 6A and second light guide portions 6B, and the front end of the first light guide portion 6A is connected to the middle portion of the second light guide portion 6B via a connecting portion 8. The light guide 3 has the following structure: a connecting portion 8 is provided in adjacent first light guide portions 6A and second light guide portions 6B to connect the front end of the first light guide portion 6A to the middle portion of the second light guide portion 6B, and a gap 7 is formed between the first light guide portion 6A, the second light guide portion 6B, and the connecting portion 8.

[0053] The light guide 3 has multiple (two in this embodiment) incident portions 9 respectively disposed on the base end side of multiple light guide portions 6A, 6B, which direct the light L emitted from each light source 2A, 2B inward. The light guide 3 has a first incident portion 9 disposed on the base end side of the first light guide portion 6A, which directs the light L emitted from the first light source 2A inward. The light guide 3 has a second incident portion 9 disposed on the base end side of the second light guide portion 6B, which directs the light L emitted from the second light source 2B inward.

[0054] Each incident portion (first incident portion, second incident portion) 9 has: a first concentrating incident surface 9a, which is located at the center of the portion opposite to each light source 2A, 2B, for a portion of the light L emitted from the light sources 2A, 2B to be incident; a second concentrating incident surface 9b, which is located on the inner periphery of a protrusion that protrudes from a position surrounding the first concentrating incident surface 9a toward the light sources 2A, 2B, for a portion of the light L emitted from the light sources 2A, 2B to be incident; and a concentrating reflecting surface 9c, which is located on the outer periphery of the protrusion to reflect the light L incident from the second concentrating incident surface 9b.

[0055] In the incident section 9, the light L emitted from the light sources 2A and 2B that is incident on the first focusing incident surface 9a is focused at a position close to the optical axis of the light L emitted from the light sources 2A and 2B. On the other hand, by reflecting the light L incident on the second focusing incident surface 9b onto the focusing reflective surface 9c, it is also focused at a position close to the optical axis of the light L emitted from the light sources 2A and 2B.

[0056] Therefore, in the incident section 9, while parallelizing or focusing the light L emitted radially from the light sources 2A and 2B, it is directed into the interior of the guide light sections 6A and 6B. In addition, the light L incident from the incident section 9 is guided to the front end side of the guide light sections 6A and 6B.

[0057] The light guide 3 has multiple (two in this embodiment) first reflective portions 10 respectively disposed on the side opposite to the incident portion 9 of multiple light guide portions 6A, 6B. Each first reflective portion 10 has an inclined surface 10a at the front end side of each light guide portion 6A, 6B that is inclined toward the front side of the light guide portion 6A, 6B at a predetermined angle (45° relative to the optical axis of light L in this embodiment).

[0058] Therefore, in the first reflecting section 10, the light L incident on the inclined surface 10a is reflected to the front side of the light guide sections 6A and 6B. Specifically, the light L reflected by the inclined surface 10a at the front end of the first light guide section 6A is incident from the back side of the second light guide section 6B via the connecting section 8 into the interior of the second light guide section 6B and is guided towards the front side of the second light guide section 6B. Conversely, the light L reflected by the inclined surface 10a at the front end of the second light guide section 6B is guided towards the front side of the second light guide section 6B.

[0059] In addition, the light guide 3 has multiple (two in this embodiment) second reflective portions 11 respectively disposed on the back side of multiple light guide portions 6A, 6B. Each second reflective portion 11 has multiple reflective cutouts 11a arranged in the direction extending along each light guide portion 6A, 6B (in this embodiment, the vehicle width direction).

[0060] Multiple reflective cutouts 11a are not particularly limited in shape, size, or number, as long as they reflect the light L incident on the back side of the light guides 6A and 6B at an angle that allows it to exit (transmit) from the front side of the light guides 6A and 6B to the outside. In this embodiment, for example, reflective cutouts 11a with a roughly triangular cross-section cut along the vertical direction of the light guide 3 on the back side of the light guides 6A and 6B are arranged along the extending direction of the light guides 6A and 6B.

[0061] Multiple reflective cutouts 11a are provided on the back surfaces of the light guide portions 6A and 6B, excluding the portion facing the slit portion 7. Specifically, multiple reflective cutouts 11a are provided throughout the space between the cover portion 3a and the inclined surface 10a on the back surface of the first light guide portion 6A. Furthermore, multiple reflective cutouts 11a are provided throughout the space between adjacent inclined surfaces 10a in the direction in which the second light guide portion 6B extends (vehicle width direction) on the back surface of the second light guide portion 6B. On the other hand, the front surface of the first light guide portion 6A facing the slit portion 7 and the back surface of the second light guide portion 6B form flat surfaces with each other.

[0062] Therefore, in the second reflective section 11, the light L incident on the plurality of reflective cutouts 11a is reflected towards the front side of the light guide sections 6A and 6B. Specifically, the light L reflected by the plurality of reflective cutouts 11a on the back side of the first light guide section 6A, after exiting outward from the front side of the first light guide section 6A, passes through the slit section 7 and enters the interior of the second light guide section 6B from the back side, and is guided towards the front side of the second light guide section 6B. On the other hand, the light L reflected by the plurality of reflective cutouts 11a on the back side of the second light guide section 6B is guided towards the front side of the second light guide section 6B.

[0063] The light guide 3 has an emission portion 12, which is disposed on the front side of the second light guide 6B, which is the most front-facing side among the plurality of light guide portions 6A and 6B.

[0064] The emission section 12 includes: a first light-emitting region E1, which emits light by emitting light L reflected by the inclined surface 10a (first reflective portion 10) to the outside; and a second light-emitting region E2, which emits light by emitting light L reflected by a plurality of reflective cutouts 11a (second reflective portions 11) to the outside. The emission section 12 has a light-emitting surface 12a in which the first light-emitting regions E1 and the second light-emitting regions E2 are alternately arranged along the extending direction (vehicle width direction) of the second light guide portion 6B.

[0065] In the emission section 12, the light L emitted from the light-emitting surface 12a toward the outside (in this embodiment, in front of the vehicle) causes the light-emitting surface 12a to emit orange light.

[0066] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the intensity of the light L reflected by the inclined surface 10a (first reflector 10) is higher than the intensity of the light reflected by the plurality of reflective cutouts 11a (second reflector 11). Therefore, the first light-emitting region E1 emits light more strongly than the second light-emitting region E2. Additionally, the width of the second light-emitting region E2 is larger than the width of the first light-emitting region E1.

[0067] Therefore, in the light-emitting surface 12a, the first light-emitting region E1 forms a narrow "bright region" that emits light relatively brightly. On the other hand, the second light-emitting region E2 forms a wide "dark region" that emits light relatively darkly.

[0068] In addition, on the light-emitting surface 12a, a second light-emitting region E2 as a "dark area", a first light-emitting region E1 as a "bright area", a second light-emitting region E2 as a "dark area", and a first light-emitting region E1 as a "bright area" are alternately arranged from the base end side to the front end side in the vehicle width direction.

[0069] The emission section 12 is provided with a plurality of diffusion cuts 12b for diffusing the light L emitted from the emitting surface 12a toward the outside (front of the vehicle). Examples of diffusion cuts 12b include those formed by performing processes such as slotting, fisheye cutting, knurling, and wrinkling. Furthermore, by adjusting the shape of these diffusion cuts, the degree of diffusion of the light L emitted from the emitting surface 12a can be controlled. In this embodiment, the diffusion cuts 12b are fisheye cuts that diffuse the light L emitted from the emitting surface 12a in both vertical and horizontal directions of the vehicle.

[0070] In the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, which has the structure described above, sequential light emission is performed by sequentially illuminating multiple light sources 2A and 2B while exhibiting a flow of light emission based on the first light emission region E1 and the second light emission region E2 in the light emission surface 12a.

[0071] Specifically, following the steps (1) to (3) below, the lighting and extinguishing of multiple light sources 2A and 2B are repeated in sequence, thereby emitting light in sequence as a direction indicator (turn signal).

[0072] In step (1), the first light source 2A and the second light source 2B are set to be turned off. At this time, the light-emitting surface 12a becomes a non-light-emitting state.

[0073] In step (2), the first light source 2A is turned on, and the second light source 2B is turned off. At this time, the following state is achieved: the second light-emitting region E2, which is the "dark part", and the first light-emitting region E1, which is the "bright part", emit light from the base end side of the light-emitting surface 12a toward the front end side.

[0074] In step (3), the first light source 2A and the second light source 2B are set to be lit. At this time, the following state is achieved: the second light-emitting area E2, which is a "dark part", the first light-emitting area E1, which is a "bright part", and the second light-emitting area E2, which is a "dark part", and the first light-emitting area E1, which is a "bright part", emit light from the base end side of the light-emitting surface 12a toward the front end side.

[0075] Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, as a direction indicator (turn signal), it is possible to perform sequential light emission that exhibits a flow of light emission based on the first light emission area E1 and the second light emission area E2 in the light emission surface 12a.

[0076] In addition, in the above embodiment, the case of sequential light emission according to the above steps (1) to (3) is illustrated, but sequential light emission can also be performed according to the opposite steps (1) to (3).

[0077] Alternatively, in step (3) above, the first light source 2A can be turned off, and the second light source 2B can be turned on. In this case, the light source 2B is illuminated from the base side of the luminescent surface 12a toward the front side, separated by the second luminescent region E2 (in a "non-luminescent state") and the first luminescent region E1. In this case, a flow of light emission based on the first luminescent region E1 and the second luminescent region E2 can also be observed in the luminescent surface 12a.

[0078] As described above, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, while the plurality of light sources 2A and 2B are lit sequentially, a flow of light emission based on the first light emission area E1 (bright area) and the second light emission area E2 (dark area) is exhibited in the light emission surface 12a. Thus, even when the length of the light emission surface 12a is short and the number of light sources 2A and 2B is small, the visual recognition based on sequential light emission can be improved.

[0079] (Second Implementation)

[0080] Next, as a second embodiment of the present invention, for example... Figure 8 The vehicle lamp 1A shown is described below.

[0081] also, Figure 8 This is a sectional view showing the structure of the vehicle lamp 1A. Furthermore, in the following description, parts equivalent to those in the vehicle lamp 1 described above will be omitted from the description, and will be labeled with the same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings.

[0082] like Figure 8As shown, the vehicle lamp 1A of this embodiment includes: three light sources 2A, 2B, and 2C that emit light L in the same direction as each other; and a light guide 3A that includes three light guide portions 6A, 6B, and 6C for guiding the light L emitted from each of the light sources 2A, 2B, and 2C.

[0083] That is, the vehicle lamp 1A is a structure in which a third light source 2C adjacent to the second light source 2B and a third light guide 6C adjacent to the second light guide 6B are added to the structure of the vehicle lamp 1.

[0084] Furthermore, the light guide 3A has the following structure: a gap 7 is provided between the second light guide portion 6B and the third light guide portion 6C that are adjacent to each other, and the front end of the second light guide portion 6B is connected to the middle part of the third light guide portion 6C via a connecting portion 8.

[0085] Therefore, on the light-emitting surface 12a of the light guide 3A, a second light-emitting region E2 as a "dark area", a first light-emitting region E1 as a "bright area", a second light-emitting region E2 as a "dark area", a first light-emitting region E1 as a "bright area", a second light-emitting region E2 as a "dark area", a second light-emitting region E2 as a "dark area", and a first light-emitting region E1 as a "bright area" are alternately arranged from the base end side to the front end side in the vehicle width direction.

[0086] In the vehicle lamp 1A of this embodiment with the structure described above, sequential light emission can be performed by sequentially illuminating the plurality of light sources 2A, 2B, and 2C described above, while exhibiting a flow of light emission based on the first light emission region E1 (bright area) and the second light emission region E2 (dark area) in the light emission surface 12a.

[0087] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 1A of this embodiment, the number of the light sources 2A, 2B, 2C and their corresponding light guides 6A, 6B, 6C can be increased, the length of the light-emitting surface 12a can be extended, the number of the first light-emitting area E1 (bright area) and the second light-emitting area E2 (dark area) within the light-emitting surface 12a can be increased, and the visual recognition based on sequential light emission can be improved.

[0088] (Third Implementation)

[0089] Next, as a third embodiment of the present invention, for example... Figure 9 The vehicle lamp 1B shown is described below.

[0090] also, Figure 9 This is a sectional view showing the structure of the vehicle lamp 1B. Furthermore, in the following description, parts equivalent to those in the vehicle lamp 1 described above will be omitted from the description, and will be labeled with the same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings.

[0091] like Figure 9As shown, the vehicle lamp 1B of this embodiment has a structure that is basically the same as that of the vehicle lamp 1, except that it has a light guide 3B with a different structure from the first light guide 6A and the second light guide 6B in the structure of the vehicle lamp 1 described above.

[0092] Specifically, in the light guide 3B, the first light guide portion 6A and the second light guide portion 6B have: a first reflective portion 10 respectively provided with a plurality of (two in this embodiment) inclined surfaces 10a; and a second reflective portion 11 respectively provided with a plurality of (two in this embodiment) reflective cutouts 11a.

[0093] That is, on the back side of the first light guide 6A and the second light guide 6B, stepped surfaces are provided on both sides separated by the inclined surface 10a, and multiple reflective cutouts 11a are arranged on each stepped surface along the extending direction of the light guide 6A and 6B. In addition, inclined surfaces 10a are provided on the front end side of the first light guide 6A and the second light guide 6B.

[0094] Therefore, on the light-emitting surface 12a of the light guide 3B, a second light-emitting region E2 as a "dark area", a first light-emitting region E1 as a "bright area", a second light-emitting region E2 as a "dark area", a first light-emitting region E1 as a "bright area", a second light-emitting region E2 as a "dark area", a first light-emitting region E1 as a "bright area", a second light-emitting region E2 as a "dark area", a first light-emitting region E1 as a "bright area", a second light-emitting region E2 as a "dark area", and a first light-emitting region E1 as a "bright area" are alternately arranged from the base end side to the front end side in the vehicle width direction.

[0095] In the vehicle lamp 1B of this embodiment, which has the structure described above, sequential light emission is achieved by sequentially illuminating the plurality of light sources 2A and 2B described above, while exhibiting a flow of light emission based on the first light emission region E1 (bright area) and the second light emission region E2 (dark area) in the light emission surface 12a.

[0096] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 1B of this embodiment, the number of the first light-emitting area E1 and the second light-emitting area E2 within the light-emitting surface 12a can be increased without increasing the number of the light sources 2A, 2B and their corresponding light guides 6A, 6B, and the visual recognition based on sequential light emission is improved.

[0097] (Fourth Implementation)

[0098] Next, as a second embodiment of the present invention, for example... Figure 10 The vehicle lamp 1C shown is described below.

[0099] also, Figure 10This is a sectional view showing the structure of the vehicle lamp 1C. Furthermore, in the following description, parts equivalent to those in the vehicle lamp 1 described above will be omitted from the description, and will be labeled with the same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings.

[0100] like Figure 10 As shown, the vehicle lamp 1C of this embodiment includes: three light sources 2D, 2A, and 2B that emit light L in the same direction as each other; and a light guide 3C that includes three light guide portions 6D, 6A, and 6B for guiding the light L emitted from each of the light sources 2D, 2A, and 2B.

[0101] That is, the vehicle lamp 1A is a structure in which a third light source 2D adjacent to the first light source 2A and a third light guide 6D adjacent to the first light guide 6A are added to the structure of the vehicle lamp 1.

[0102] Furthermore, the light guide 3C has the following structure: the third light guide portion 6D and the first light guide portion 6A, which are adjacent to each other, are formed as one unit, and an inclined surface 10a is provided on the front end side of the third light guide portion 6D.

[0103] Therefore, on the light-emitting surface 12a of the light guide 3C, a first light-emitting region E1 as a "bright part", a second light-emitting region E2 as a "dark part", a first light-emitting region E1 as a "bright part", a second light-emitting region E2 as a "dark part", and a first light-emitting region E1 as a "bright part" are alternately arranged from the base end side to the front end side in the vehicle width direction.

[0104] In the vehicle lamp 1C of this embodiment with the structure described above, sequential light emission can be performed by sequentially illuminating the plurality of light sources 2D, 2A, and 2B as described above, while exhibiting a flow of light emission based on the first light emission region E1 (bright area) and the second light emission region E2 (dark area) in the light emission surface 12a.

[0105] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 1C of this embodiment, while increasing the number of the light sources 2D, 2A, 2B and their corresponding light guides 6D, 6A, 6B, the length of the light-emitting surface 12a can be increased without extending the length of the light-emitting surface 12a. At the same time, while increasing the number of the first light-emitting area E1 and the second light-emitting area E2 within the light-emitting surface 12a, the visual recognition based on sequential light emission can be improved.

[0106] (Fifth Implementation)

[0107] Next, as a fifth embodiment of the present invention, for example... Figure 11 The vehicle lighting fixture 1D shown is explained below.

[0108] also, Figure 11This is a sectional view showing the structure of the vehicle lamp 1D. Furthermore, in the following description, parts equivalent to those in the vehicle lamp 1 described above will be omitted from the description and will be labeled with the same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings.

[0109] like Figure 11 As shown, the vehicle lamp 1D of this embodiment includes a light guide 3D comprising three light guide portions 6A, 6B, and 6E.

[0110] That is, the vehicle lamp 1D is a structure in which a third light guide 6E adjacent to the second light guide 6B is added to the structure of the vehicle lamp 1.

[0111] The light guide 3D has the following structure: a gap 7 is provided between the second light guide portion 6B and the third light guide portion 6E that are adjacent to each other, and the front end of the second light guide portion 6B is connected to the front end of the third light guide portion 6E via a connecting portion 8.

[0112] In addition, the light guide 3D has an emission portion 12 (light-emitting surface 12a) on the front side of the third light guide portion 6E, which is the most front side among the multiple light guide portions 6A, 6B, and 6E.

[0113] Therefore, on the light-emitting surface 12a of the light guide 3D, a second light-emitting region E2 as a "dark area", a first light-emitting region E1 as a "bright area", a second light-emitting region E2 as a "dark area", a first light-emitting region E1 as a "bright area", a second light-emitting region E2 as a "dark area", a first light-emitting region E1 as a "bright area", a second light-emitting region E2 as a "dark area", and a first light-emitting region E1 as a "bright area" are alternately arranged from the base end side in the vehicle width direction toward the front end side.

[0114] In the vehicle lamp 1D of this embodiment with the structure described above, sequential light emission is achieved by sequentially illuminating the plurality of light sources 2A and 2B described above, while exhibiting a flow of light emission based on the first light emission region E1 (bright area) and the second light emission region E2 (dark area) in the light emission surface 12a.

[0115] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 1D of this embodiment, even when the length of the light-emitting surface 12a is short and the number of light sources 2A and 2B is small, the visual recognition based on sequential light emission can be improved.

[0116] (Sixth Implementation Method)

[0117] Next, as a sixth embodiment of the present invention, for example... Figure 12 The vehicle lamp 1E shown is described below.

[0118] also, Figure 12This is a sectional view showing the structure of the vehicle lamp 1E. Furthermore, in the following description, parts equivalent to those in the vehicle lamp 1 described above will be omitted from the description, and will be labeled with the same reference numerals in the accompanying drawings.

[0119] like Figure 12 As shown, the vehicle lamp 1E of this embodiment includes a light guide 3E comprising two light guide portions 6F and 6G.

[0120] The light guide 3E is a structure that includes light guide portions 6F and 6G, to which inclined surfaces 13 are added respectively to the light guide portions 6A and 6B. The light guide 3E has a shape in which the light guide portions 6F and 6G are bent at a predetermined angle (90° in this embodiment) by means of the inclined surfaces 13.

[0121] The inclined surface 13 is inclined at a predetermined angle (45° relative to the optical axis of light L in this embodiment) in front of the cover 3a, and reflects the light L that is guided toward the front end of the light guide parts 6F and 6G at a predetermined angle (90° relative to the optical axis of light L in this embodiment).

[0122] This allows for modification of the optical path of the light L guided towards the front end of the light guide sections 6F and 6G. Furthermore, the configuration of the light sources 2A and 2B can be modified.

[0123] In the vehicle lamp 1E of this embodiment, which has the structure described above, sequential light emission is achieved by sequentially illuminating the plurality of light sources 2A and 2B described above, while exhibiting a flow of light emission based on the first light emission region E1 (bright area) and the second light emission region E2 (dark area) in the light emission surface 12a.

[0124] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 1E of this embodiment, even when the length of the light-emitting surface 12a is short and the number of light sources 2A and 2B is small, the visual recognition based on sequential light emission can be improved.

[0125] Furthermore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0126] For example, such as Figure 13 As shown, the structure of the vehicle lamp 1 described above may also include multiple light sources 2A and 2B with different colors of light (in... Figure 13 The structure consists of two light-emitting elements, 20a and 20b. Figure 11 In the structure shown, an LED emitting orange light is used as the first light-emitting element 20a, and an LED emitting red light is used as the second light-emitting element 20b.

[0127] In this configuration, as a direction indicator (turn signal), the first light-emitting element 20a of each light source 2A and 2B can be lit sequentially while emitting light in sequence, and as a tail lamp, the second light-emitting element 20b of each light source 2A and 2B can be lit.

[0128] Furthermore, when using a white-emitting LED as the second light-emitting element 20b, it is possible to illuminate all the second light-emitting elements 20b of each light source 2A and 2B as a position light.

[0129] Furthermore, the vehicle lighting fixtures using this invention are not limited to those mounted on the aforementioned motorcycles, but can also be mounted on vehicles such as four-wheeled cars. Additionally, while suitable for sequentially emitting directional indicators (turn signals) as described above, this invention can also be widely applied to vehicle lighting fixtures with luminous surfaces, such as lane position lights, daytime running lights (DRLs), taillights, brake lights (stop lights), and reversing lights.

[0130] In addition to LEDs, other light-emitting elements such as laser diodes (LDs) can also be used as light sources. Furthermore, the color of the light emitted by the light source (L) is not limited to orange light; it can be appropriately changed to red, white, or other colors depending on the intended use of the vehicle's lighting fixture.

[0131] Label Explanation

[0132] 1. 1A~1E… Vehicle lighting fixtures; 2A~2D… Light sources; 3. 3A~3E… Light guides; 4… Lamp body; 5… Circuit board; 6A~6G… Light guide section; 7… Gap section; 8… Connecting section; 9… Incident section; 10… First reflecting section; 10a… Inclined surface; 11… Second reflecting section; 11a… Multiple reflecting cuts; 12… Emission section; 12a… Light emitting surface; 13… Inclined surface; E1… First light emitting area (bright area); E2… Second light emitting area (dark area); L… Light.

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp, characterized in that, The vehicle lighting fixtures include: Multiple light sources, all emitting light in the same direction as each other; and A light guide that guides light emitted from the plurality of light sources. The light guide has the following characteristics: Multiple light guides extend from positions opposite to the multiple light sources in the same direction and are arranged side by side. Multiple incident portions are respectively disposed on the base end side of the multiple light guide portions, so that light emitted from the light source is incident inward; Multiple first reflective portions are respectively disposed on the side opposite to the incident portion of the multiple light guide portions, and reflect the light guided towards the front end of the light guide portion towards the front side of the light guide portion; Multiple second reflective portions are respectively disposed on the back side of the multiple light guide portions, and reflect light incident on the back side of the light guide portion toward the front side of the light guide portion; as well as The emission section, located on the front side of the light guide section closest to the front among the plurality of light guide sections, emits light reflected by the first reflector and the second reflector outward. The plurality of light guides have the following structure: their lengths increase sequentially from the back side to the front side of the light guide, and there is a gap between the light guides on the back side and the light guides on the front side that are adjacent to each other, and the front end of the light guide on the back side is connected to the light guide on the front side via a connecting portion.

2. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The emitting portion includes: a first light-emitting region that emits light using light reflected by the first reflective portion; and a second light-emitting region that emits light using light reflected by the second reflective portion. The first luminescent region emits light more strongly than the second luminescent region.

3. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 2, characterized in that, The ejection section has a light-emitting surface in which the first light-emitting area and the second light-emitting area are alternately arranged along the vehicle width direction. The vehicle lights illuminate the plurality of light sources sequentially while exhibiting sequential light emission on the light-emitting surface based on the flow of light emission from the first light-emitting area and the second light-emitting area.

4. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first reflective portion includes an inclined surface that is tilted toward the front side of the light guide portion. The second reflective portion includes a plurality of reflective cuts arranged in a direction extending along the light guide portion.

5. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 4, characterized in that, The plurality of reflective cuts are provided on the back side of the light guide portion, except for the portion opposite to the slit portion.

6. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 5, characterized in that, The plurality of reflective cuts are provided throughout the direction in which the light guide extends, between adjacent inclined surfaces.

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