Vehicle lamp

Abstract

In a vehicle lamp that functions as at least a daytime running lamp and a turn signal lamp, the vehicle lamp is provided with: a substrate on which a light source is mounted; and an irradiation body that irradiates the light emitted from the light source as the light of the daytime running lamp or the light of the turn signal lamp through the substrate on which the light source is mounted, the light irradiated as the daytime running lamp and the light irradiated as the turn signal lamp being formed in the same color. The light source is formed such that light as a clearance lamp, light irradiated as a daytime running lamp, light irradiated as a turn signal lamp, and light irradiated as a clearance lamp can be irradiated from the irradiation body to form light of the same color, and the current value supplied to the light source is controlled. Light as a daytime running lamp, light as a turn signal lamp, and light as a clearance lamp are individually irradiated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technical field related to a vehicle lamp that functions as at least a daytime running lamp and a turn signal lamp. Background Art

[0002] Among vehicle lamps, there are types that are configured to irradiate lights of multiple functions of different types. As such a type of vehicle lamp, there is a type that is configured to independently irradiate the lights of daytime running lights and turn signal lights (for example, refer to the fourth variant of Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1, light sources (light emitting elements) with different luminous colors are provided, white light is emitted from one light source, and amber light is emitted from the other light source. In the daytime running light lighting mode, white light is emitted from one light source and the light as the daytime running light is irradiated from the lamp unit to the outside, and in the turn signal light lighting mode, amber light is emitted from the other light source and the light as the turn signal light is irradiated from the lamp unit to the outside.

[0004] In the vehicle lamp having such a configuration, light of a plurality of functions of different types is emitted from the same lamp unit, and therefore, the functionality can be improved without causing an increase in size.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-201278 Summary of the invention

[0008] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0009] However, in a vehicle lamp constructed as described above, although the functionality can be improved without causing an increase in size, the lighting and extinguishing of each light source is controlled according to the lighting mode. When the light source of one side is lit, the light source of the other side is extinguished, and when the light source of the other side is lit, the light source of one side is extinguished.

[0010] Therefore, each lighting mode requires an independent light source, and the number of light sources increases in order to ensure the luminance required for each lighting mode. This may increase the manufacturing cost.

[0011] Therefore, an object of the vehicle lamp of the present invention is to ensure appropriate irradiation conditions of different types of light while simplifying the structure.

[0012] Means used to solve problems

[0013] The vehicle lamp involved in the present invention is a vehicle lamp that functions as at least a daytime running lamp and a turn signal lamp, and the vehicle lamp comprises: a substrate that is equipped with a light source; and an illuminating body that irradiates light emitted from the light source as the light of the daytime running lamp or as the light of the turn signal lamp, and the light irradiated as the daytime running lamp and the light irradiated as the turn signal lamp are formed into light of the same color, and the light irradiated as the position lamp can be irradiated from the illuminating body, and the light irradiated as the daytime running lamp, the light irradiated as the turn signal lamp, and the light irradiated as the position lamp are formed into light of the same color, and by controlling the current value supplied to the light source, the light as the daytime running lamp, the light as the turn signal lamp, and the light as the position lamp are individually irradiated.

[0014] Thus, the light of the daytime running lamp and the turn signal lamp, which are two different types of lamps, are irradiated with the same color light, and thus the light of the two different types of lamps can be irradiated using the same light source.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, the lights of the daytime running lights and the turn signal lights, which are two different types of lights, are illuminated with the same color, so the same light source can be used to illuminate the lights of the two different lamps. While simplifying the structure, the appropriate illumination state of the different types of light can be ensured. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is with Figures 2 to 4 A diagram showing an embodiment of a vehicle lamp according to the present invention is also provided. This diagram is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a schematic front view showing a substrate and an irradiation body.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a schematic perspective view showing a first irradiator, a first light source, and the like.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing a control example when each lamp functions as a vehicle lamp. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the vehicle lamp according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Hereinafter, the irradiation direction of the light from the vehicle lamp is regarded as the front, and the front, back, up, down, left, and right directions are described. However, the front, back, up, down, left, and right directions shown below are for the convenience of description, and the implementation of the present invention is not limited to these directions.

[0023] The vehicle lamp 1 has functions as a daytime running lamp, a turn signal lamp, and a clearance lamp.

[0024] The vehicle lamp 1 includes a lamp housing 2 opened forward, and a cover 3 closing the opening of the lamp housing 2 (see FIG. Figure 1 The lamp frame 4 is composed of a lamp housing 2 and a cover 3 , and the inner space of the lamp frame 4 forms a lamp chamber 5 .

[0025] In the lamp chamber 5, a substrate 6 is arranged in a state facing the front-back direction. On the front surface of the substrate 6, a first light source 7 is mounted on the upper side, and a plurality of second light sources 8 are arranged at intervals along the left and right sides on the lower side (see Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 ). Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are used as the first light source 7 and the second light source 8. In addition, a plurality of first light sources 7 may be mounted.

[0026] The first light source 7 and the plurality of second light sources 8 are connected in series, for example, so that amber light is emitted from both the first light source 7 and the plurality of second light sources 8 at the same time.

[0027] In the lamp chamber 5, a bracket 9 is arranged on the front side of the substrate 6 (see Figure 1 The bracket 9 includes, for example, a plate-shaped first portion 10 facing in the front-rear direction and a plate-shaped second portion 11 facing in the top-bottom direction, and the lower end of the first portion 10 is continuous with the rear end of the second portion 11. A semi-cylindrical light guide arrangement portion 10a opening forward is provided at the upper end of the first portion 10. A light transmission hole 10b is formed at the lower end of the first portion 10.

[0028] The inner lens 12 is mounted on the first portion 10 of the bracket 9. The upper portion of the inner lens 12 is provided as a light control portion 12a, and the portion below the light control portion 12a is provided as a mounted portion 12b. The mounted portion 12b of the inner lens 12 is mounted on the upper end portion of the first portion 10, and the light control portion 12a is located in front of the light guide arrangement portion 10a. The light control portion 12a has a function of, for example, diffusing incident light.

[0029] The lamp chamber 5 is provided with an extension 13. The extension 13 is provided to shield the portion of the bracket 9 other than the light guide body arrangement portion 10a from the front and has an insertion hole 13a. The extension 13 also shields the mounted portion 12b of the inner lens 12 from the front.

[0030] A first illuminator 14 and a second illuminator 15 are disposed in the lamp chamber 5. As the first illuminator 14, for example, a light guide called a light guide that guides light in the longitudinal direction is used, and as the second illuminator 15, for example, a light guide called an edge light that guides light linearly from the rear to the front is used.

[0031] In addition, in the vehicle lamp 1, at least one irradiator may be provided, or one irradiator or three or more irradiators may be provided. In addition, the irradiator used in the vehicle lamp 1 is not limited to a light guide, and may be other structures as long as it irradiates light in a predetermined direction. For example, a structure used in a reflective optical system such as a reflector may be used as the irradiator. Furthermore, the shape of the irradiator is not limited to a shape extending left and right as shown below, and may be formed into any shape considering the positional relationship with the vehicle body and the appearance. For example, the irradiator may be formed into a non-linear shape.

[0032] The first illuminator 14 is formed into a substantially circular shaft shape and is arranged above the second illuminator 15 in a state extending in the left-right direction except for one end in the longitudinal direction. The first illuminator 14 is inserted and arranged in the light guide arrangement portion 10a of the first portion 10 of the bracket 9.

[0033] One end portion of the first irradiator 14 in the longitudinal direction is bent toward the rear side (see Figure 3 ), one end surface in the length direction is formed as the incident surface 14a. The incident surface 14a is located at a position opposite to the first light source 7. The rear surface of the first irradiator 14 except one end is formed as a reflecting surface 14b, and the front surface of the first irradiator 14 except one end is formed as an irradiation surface 14c (refer to Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 The first illuminator 14 is located directly behind the light control section 12 a in the inner lens 12 .

[0034] In the first irradiator 14, the light emitted from the first light source 7 enters from the incident surface 14a, and the incident light is guided while being totally reflected (inner surface reflected) by the reflecting surface 14b in the longitudinal direction, and is irradiated toward the front from the irradiation surface 14c through the light control part 12a of the inner lens 12 and the cover 3. At this time, the light is diffused by the light control part 12a and irradiated toward the front.

[0035] The second irradiator 15 is formed into a flat shape with the vertical direction being the thickness direction, and is arranged below the first irradiator 14. The rear side portion of the second irradiator 15 is attached to the upper surface of the second portion 11 of the bracket 9, and the front end portion protrudes forward from the insertion hole 13a of the extension portion 13.

[0036] The rear surface of the second illuminator 15 is formed as an incident surface 15a, and the front surface is formed as an irradiation surface 15b. Alternatively, the outer peripheral surface of the second illuminator 15 is formed as a reflection surface capable of total reflection (internal surface reflection). The incident surface 15a of the second illuminator 15 is located opposite to the plurality of second light sources 8.

[0037] In the second irradiator 15, the light emitted from the second light source 8 passes through the light transmission hole 10b of the bracket 9 and enters from the incident surface 15a, and the incident light is guided forward, thereby being irradiated forward from the irradiation surface 15b through the cover 3. At this time, the light is diffused by the incident surface 15a and the irradiation surface 15b and irradiated forward.

[0038] Furthermore, the above example shows that the light guide, i.e., the first illuminator 14, is disposed on the upper side, and the edge light, i.e., the second illuminator 15, is disposed on the lower side. Conversely, the light guide, i.e., the first illuminator 14, may be disposed on the lower side, and the edge light, i.e., the second illuminator 15, may be disposed on the upper side.

[0039] In addition, the inner surface of the light guide arrangement portion 10a in the bracket 9 and the upper surface of the second portion 11 may also be formed as a reflective surface. The inner surface of the light guide arrangement portion 10a and the upper surface of the second portion 11 are formed as reflective surfaces, whereby the leakage light that may be generated in the first irradiator 14 and the second irradiator 15 can be reflected by the reflective surfaces and irradiated forward, thereby achieving improved light utilization efficiency.

[0040] As described above, the vehicle lamp 1 configured as described above has functions as a daytime running lamp, a turn signal lamp, and a position lamp.

[0041] When the vehicle lamp 1 functions as a daytime running lamp, when it functions as a turn signal lamp, and when it functions as a position lamp, amber light is emitted from the first light source 7 and all the second light sources 8 .

[0042] Specifically, when the vehicle lamp 1 functions as a daytime running lamp, for example, a current of 500 mA is supplied to the first light source 7 and the second light source 8, and amber light as a daytime running lamp is emitted from the first light source 7 and all the second light sources 8 at the same time. At this time, the first light source 7 and all the second light sources 8 are set to be always lit. In addition, when the vehicle lamp 1 functions as a daytime running lamp, the current value supplied to the first light source 7 and the second light source 8 is preferably set to a range of 450 mA to 550 mA, and the current value supplied is preferably 500 mA.

[0043] When the vehicle lamp 1 functions as a turn signal lamp, for example, a current of 500 mA is supplied to the first light source 7 and the second light source 8, and amber light as a turn signal lamp is emitted from the first light source 7 and all the second light sources 8 at the same time. At this time, the first light source 7 and all the second light sources 8 are set to a state of repeatedly lighting and extinguishing. In addition, when the vehicle lamp 1 functions as a turn signal lamp, the current value supplied to the first light source 7 and the second light source 8 is preferably set to a range of 450 mA to 550 mA, and the current value supplied is preferably 500 mA.

[0044] When the vehicle lamp 1 functions as a position lamp, for example, a current of 50 mA is supplied to the first light source 7 and the second light source 8, and PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control is performed, so that amber light as a position lamp is emitted from the first light source 7 and all the second light sources 8 at the same time. At this time, the first light source 7 and all the second light sources 8 are set to be always lit. In addition, when the vehicle lamp 1 functions as a position lamp, the current value supplied to the first light source 7 and the second light source 8 is preferably set to a range of 45 mA to 55 mA, and the current value supplied is preferably 50 mA.

[0045] In addition, the turn signal lamp and the position lamp can also function at the same time in the vehicle lamp 1. In this case, when the first light source 7 and the second light source 8 are repeatedly turned on and off as the turn signal lamp, the first light source 7 and the second light source 8 are controlled in such a way that they irradiate light as the position lamp during the period of being turned off.

[0046] In addition, the above-mentioned current value supplied to the first light source 7 and the second light source 8 is an example, and if the required luminosity can be obtained for the light used as a daytime running light, the light used as a turn signal light, and the light used as a position marker light, respectively, the current value supplied to the first light source 7 and the second light source 8 can be set arbitrarily.

[0047] As described above, the vehicle lamp 1 comprises: a substrate 6, which is equipped with a first light source 7 and a second light source 8; and a first illuminator 14 and a second illuminator 15, which irradiate the light emitted from the first light source 7 and the second light source 8 as the light of a daytime running lamp or as the light of a turn signal lamp, and the light irradiated as the daytime running lamp and the light irradiated as the turn signal lamp are formed into light of the same color, and are formed so that the light as a position lamp can be irradiated from the first illuminator 14 and the second illuminator 15, and the light irradiated as the daytime running lamp, the light irradiated as the turn signal lamp, and the light irradiated as the position lamp are formed into light of the same color, and by controlling the current value supplied to the first light source 7 and the second light source 8, the light as the daytime running lamp, the light as the turn signal lamp, and the light as the position lamp are individually irradiated.

[0048] Therefore, the lights of the daytime running lights and the turn signal lights, which are two different types of lights, are illuminated with the same color, so the same light source (the first light source 7 and the second light source 8) can be used to illuminate the lights of the two different types of lights, thereby ensuring the appropriate illumination state of the different types of light while simplifying the structure.

[0049] Furthermore, since the lights of the three different lamps are irradiated with the same color, it is possible to ensure an appropriate irradiation state of the three different types of lights while simplifying the configuration.

[0050] Furthermore, the light emitted from the first light source 7 and the second light source 8 whose current values ​​are controlled is irradiated as daytime running light light, or as turn signal light light, or as position light light, thereby ensuring the appropriate irradiation state of the three different types of light without causing a cost increase.

[0051] In addition, a first light source 7 and a second light source 8 are provided, and both the first light source 7 and the second light source 8 are mounted on the substrate 6 .

[0052] Therefore, by emitting all the lights from the first light source 7 and the second light source 8 mounted on the same substrate 6, three different types of lights, namely, the daytime running lights, the turn signal lights, and the position lights, are irradiated separately, thereby ensuring the proper irradiation state of the three different types of lights while reducing the number of components.

[0053] In addition, the first irradiator 14 and the second irradiator 15 are used as irradiators, and the first irradiator 14 and the second irradiator 15 guide the light emitted from the first light source 7 and the second light source 8 to a predetermined direction for irradiation.

[0054] Therefore, the light guided by the first irradiator 14 and the second irradiator 15 is irradiated separately as three different types of light, thereby increasing the degree of freedom of the irradiation range of the light and ensuring an appropriate irradiation state of the three different types of light.

[0055] Description of Reference Numerals

[0056] 1: Vehicle lamps;

[0057] 6: Substrate;

[0058] 7: First light source;

[0059] 8: Second light source;

[0060] 14: first irradiation body;

[0061] 15: The second irradiator.

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp that functions as at least a daytime running lamp and a turn signal lamp, wherein: The vehicle lamp comprises: a substrate carrying a light source; and an irradiator that irradiates the light emitted from the light source as light of a daytime running lamp or as light of a turn signal lamp, The light emitted as the daytime running lamp and the light emitted as the turn signal lamp are formed into lights of the same color. The irradiating body is configured to emit light as a position lamp, The light emitted as the daytime running lamp, the light emitted as the turn signal lamp, and the light emitted as the position lamp are formed into lights of the same color. By controlling the value of the current supplied to the light source, light as a daytime running lamp, light as a turn signal lamp, and light as a position lamp are individually irradiated.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle lamp is provided with a plurality of the light sources. The plurality of light sources are mounted on the substrate.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The vehicle lamp uses at least one light guide as the irradiating body, and the light guide guides the light emitted from the light source to a predetermined direction for irradiation.

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