Vehicle lamp

Abstract

The invention provides a vehicle lamp capable of improving designability. A vehicle lamp includes: a plurality of light emitting elements; a lens that transmits light emitted from each of the plurality of light-emitting elements; and a housing through which the light that has passed through the lens passes, the plurality of light-emitting elements including: at least one first light-emitting element disposed on the left end side when mounted on a vehicle, and at least one second light-emitting element disposed on the right end side when mounted on the vehicle; and at least one second light-emitting element disposed on the right end side when mounted on the vehicle, the first light emitted from the first light-emitting element and transmitted through the lens passing through the housing such that the first light expands toward the right with respect to the front-rear direction when mounted on the vehicle, and the second light-emitting element being disposed on the right end side when mounted on the vehicle. Second light emitted from the second light-emitting element and transmitted through the lens passes through the housing so as to expand toward the left with respect to the front-rear direction when mounted on the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle lamp. Background Art

[0002] The vehicle lamp described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-047815 (Patent Document 1) includes a first lamp unit for forming a high-beam light distribution pattern and a second lamp unit for forming a low-beam light distribution pattern. The first lamp unit includes five light-emitting modules and is disposed closer to the center of the vehicle than the second lamp unit. The second lamp unit includes three light-emitting modules 46 and is disposed closer to the left end of the vehicle than the first lamp unit.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-047815 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] One of the objects of a specific embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle lamp capable of improving design.

[0008] Means for solving problems

[0009] A vehicle lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: (a) a plurality of light emitting elements; (b) a lens that transmits light emitted from each of the plurality of light emitting elements; and (c) a housing that transmits the light after passing through the lens; (d) the plurality of light emitting elements include at least one first light emitting element arranged on the left end side when mounted on a vehicle and at least one second light emitting element arranged on the right end side when mounted on the vehicle; (e) first light emitted from the first light emitting element and transmitted through the lens passes through the housing in a manner that expands in a rightward direction with respect to the front-rear direction when mounted on the vehicle; and (f) second light emitted from the second light emitting element and transmitted through the lens passes through the housing in a manner that expands in a leftward direction with respect to the front-rear direction when mounted on the vehicle.

[0010] According to the above configuration, a vehicle lamp having improved design properties can be obtained. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of optical elements of a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 (A) Figure 2 (B) is a simplified diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of a vehicle lamp.

[0013] Figure 3 (A) Figure 3 (B) are diagrams showing the structure of a vehicle lamp according to a comparative example.

[0014] Figure 4 (A) is a diagram schematically showing the operating state of the light emitting element when only the low beam is irradiated.

[0015] Figure 4 (B) is a diagram schematically showing the operating state of the light emitting element when emitting low beam and high beam.

[0016] Figure 5 (A)~ Figure 5 (E) is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern of light emitted from each light emitting element.

[0017] Figure 6 (A) is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern of a low beam.

[0018] Figure 6 (B) is a diagram showing light distribution patterns of low beam and high beam.

[0019] Figure 7 (A) Figure 7 (B) is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a lens for deflecting and expanding light emitted from a light emitting element in a specific direction.

[0020] Figure 8 It is a cross-sectional view showing a more detailed embodiment of the lens. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Figure 1 1 is an exploded perspective view of optical elements of a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment. A vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment includes a light source substrate 10a, a heat sink 10b, a lens 10c, and a drive circuit 10d.

[0022] The light source board 10a includes a plurality of light emitting elements 1 to 5 arranged in the left-right direction (X direction in the figure) when mounted on a vehicle. In the present embodiment, LEDs are considered as an example of each light emitting element 1 to 5, but each light emitting element 1 to 5 may also be a laser element.

[0023] The heat sink 10 b is used to dissipate heat from the light source substrate 10 a and is disposed on the back side of the light source substrate 10 a .

[0024] The lens 10 c is disposed on the front surface side of the substrate 10 a , and transmits the light emitted from each of the light emitting elements 1 to 5 to form a light distribution pattern.

[0025] The driving circuit 10 d is connected to the light source substrate 10 a and drives the light emitting elements 1 to 5 .

[0026] Among the light emitting elements 1 to 5 of the light source substrate 10a, the light emitting elements 2 and 4 are used to form the high beam, and the light emitting elements 1, 3, and 5 are used to form the low beam. The light emitting elements 1 and 5 are arranged at the left end and the right end, respectively. The light emitting element 3 is arranged between the light emitting element 1 and the light emitting element 5. The light emitting element 2 is arranged between the light emitting element 1 and the light emitting element 3. The light emitting element 4 is arranged between the light emitting element 3 and the light emitting element 5.

[0027] Figure 2 (A) Figure 2 (B) is a simplified diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of a vehicle lamp. As described above, the light emitted from each light emitting element 1 to 5 of the vehicle lamp 10 is focused by the lens 10c and irradiated toward the front of the vehicle. A shell (extension portion) 10e is provided on the front side of the lens 10c for narrowing the emitted light from each light emitting element 1 to 5 to a certain range for passing. The light emitting surface of the lens 10c is arranged on a side close to the second opening on the lower side of the shell 10e in the figure. As shown in the figure, the diameter of the second opening is smaller than the diameter of the first opening on the upper side of the shell 10e in the figure.

[0028] Light emitted from each light emitting element 2 to each light emitting element 4 sandwiched between the light emitting element 1 and the light emitting element 5 on the left and right ends in the left-right direction (the X direction in the figure) when mounted on the vehicle is focused by the lens 10c, and is expanded approximately symmetrically with respect to the front-rear direction (the Y direction in the figure) when mounted on the vehicle, and is irradiated toward the front of the vehicle.

[0029] On the other hand, the light emitted from each light emitting element 1 and light emitting element 5 is extracted. Figure 2 As shown in (B), the light from the light emitting element 1 and the light emitting element 5 spreads asymmetrically with respect to the Y direction and is emitted from the lens 10c.

[0030] Specifically, in the light 11 from the light emitting element 1, the component 11a that travels in the right direction based on the Y direction is greater than the component 11b that travels in the left direction. Furthermore, the light 11 is emitted from the lens 10c in a manner that spreads away from the inner wall of the housing 10e on the side close to the housing 10e and in a direction (right in the example shown in the figure) opposite to the position of the light emitting elements 1 to 5 (left in the example shown in the figure).

[0031] In addition, in the light 15 from the light emitting element 5, the component 15a that travels in the left direction based on the Y direction is greater than the component 15b that travels in the right direction. Furthermore, the light 15 is emitted from the lens 10c in a manner that spreads away from the inner wall of the housing 10e on the side close to the housing 10e and in a direction (left side in the example shown in the figure) opposite to the position of the light emitting element 1 to 5 (right side in the example shown in the figure).

[0032] These light emitting elements 1 and 5 are used to form low beams and need to emit light at a wider angle, so the light spreading angle is set larger than that of other light emitting elements 2 to 4. However, by deflecting the spreading direction, the opening diameter L of the housing 10e can be narrowed.

[0033] Figure 3 (A) Figure 3 (B) are diagrams showing the structures of vehicle lamps of comparative examples. In each figure, the vehicle lamps 100a and 100b of the comparative examples are respectively provided with light-emitting elements 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, a lens 110c, and a housing 110e. In the vehicle lamps 100a and 100b of the comparative examples, the light-emitting elements 101 to 103 arranged near the left side in the figure are used for low beam formation, and the light-emitting elements 104 and 105 arranged near the right side in the figure are used for high beam formation. Moreover, the light expansion angle of the light-emitting elements 101 to 103 is set larger than that of the light-emitting elements 104 and 105.

[0034] exist Figure 3 In the comparative example vehicle lamp 100a shown in (A), the opening diameter L1 of the housing 110e is larger than that of the vehicle lamp 10 of the above-mentioned embodiment in order to prevent the light of each light emitting element 101 to 103 from being blocked by the housing 110e. As a result, the vehicle lamp 100a becomes more conspicuous, which is not preferable from the viewpoint of appearance design.

[0035] On the other hand, Figure 3 As in the comparative example vehicle lamp 100b shown in (B), in order to prevent the light of each light-emitting element 101 to 103 from being blocked by the shell 110e, the light-emitting elements 101 to 105 and the lens 110c are arranged close to the opening on the upper side of the shell 110e in the figure. Although the opening diameter L2 of the shell 110e can be reduced, the existence of the lens 110c, the light-emitting elements 101, etc. becomes more conspicuous, which is still not preferred from the viewpoint of appearance design.

[0036] Figure 4(A) is a diagram schematically showing the operating state of the light emitting element when only the low beam is irradiated. As shown in the figure, in the vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment, the light emitted from each of the light emitting elements 1 to 5, the light emitting element 1, the light emitting element 3, and the light emitting element 5 passes through the lens 10c to form the low beam. Each of the light emitting elements 1 and 5 is lit by applying a driving voltage by the driving circuit 10d.

[0037] Figure 4 (B) is a diagram schematically showing the operating state of the light emitting element when emitting low beam and high beam. In the vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, the light emitted from each of the light emitting elements 1 to 5 passes through the lens 10c to form the low beam, and the light emitted from each of the light emitting elements 2 and 4 passes through the lens 10c to form the high beam. Each of the light emitting elements 1 to 5 is lit by applying a driving voltage by the driving circuit 10d.

[0038] Figure 5 (A)~ Figure 5 (E) is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern of light emitted from each light emitting element. Figure 5 (A) shows a light distribution pattern obtained by passing light emitted from the light emitting element 5 through the lens 10c. Specifically, this light distribution pattern is a light distribution pattern that spreads widely from the center (0°) in front of the vehicle to the left side (L side) mainly below the horizontal line.

[0039] Figure 5 (B) represents a light distribution pattern obtained by passing the light emitted from the light emitting element 2 through the lens 10c. Specifically, the light distribution pattern is a light distribution pattern with a relatively narrow irradiation range that mainly irradiates from about 5° below the horizontal line (D side) to about 5° above (U side), and irradiates from the center (0°) in front of the vehicle to about 10° to the left and right.

[0040] Figure 5 (C) represents a light distribution pattern obtained by passing the light emitted from the light emitting element 3 through the lens 10c. Specifically, the light distribution pattern is mainly irradiated in a range from about 7° below the horizontal line (D side) to about 4° above (U side), and irradiated in a range from the center (0°) in front of the vehicle to about 15° on each side below the horizontal line, and irradiated in a range from the center in front of the vehicle to about 6° on each side above the horizontal line. This light distribution pattern is brightly irradiated in a dot shape at a position about 10m away from the vehicle in the center in front of the vehicle.

[0041] Figure 5(D) represents a light distribution pattern obtained by passing the light emitted from the light emitting element 4 through the lens 10c. Specifically, this light distribution pattern is the same as the light emitting element 2 described above, and is mainly irradiated in a range from about 5° below the horizontal line (D side) to about 5° above (U side), and is a light distribution pattern with a relatively narrow irradiation range that irradiates in a range of about 10° to the left and right from the center (0°) in front of the vehicle.

[0042] Figure 5 (E) shows a light distribution pattern obtained by passing light emitted from the light emitting element 1 through the lens 10c. Specifically, this light distribution pattern is a light distribution pattern that spreads widely from the center (0°) in front of the vehicle to the right side (R side) mainly below the horizontal line.

[0043] Figure 6 (A) is a diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern. Figure 5 (A) Figure 5 (C) and Figure 5 This light distribution pattern is obtained by combining the light distribution patterns shown in (E) of FIG. As shown in the figure, it is a light distribution pattern that mainly illuminates a position below the horizontal line, that is, a light distribution pattern that mainly illuminates a position relatively close to the vehicle.

[0044] Figure 6 (B) is a diagram showing the light distribution patterns of low beam and high beam. Figure 5 (A) Figure 5 (B) Figure 5 (D) and Figure 5 The light distribution pattern (first light distribution pattern) is obtained by combining the light distribution patterns shown in (E) of FIG. The light distribution pattern shown in the figure is a light distribution pattern in which a low beam mainly irradiates below the horizontal line and a high beam irradiates far in front of the center of the vehicle are overlapped. That is, it becomes a light distribution pattern that irradiates light to both a position relatively close to the vehicle and a position relatively far from the vehicle.

[0045] Figure 7 (A) Figure 7 (B) is a diagram for explaining a structural example of a lens for deflecting and expanding light emitted from a light emitting element in a specific direction. In each figure, P represents the light exit point of the light emitting element 1 (or the light emitting element 5), and 21 to 23 represent refractive index boundary surfaces. The space between the refractive index boundary surface 20 and the refractive index boundary surface 21 and the space between the refractive index boundary surface 22 and the refractive index boundary surface 23 are respectively filled with the constituent material of the lens 10c, and there is air in a gap between the refractive index boundary surface 21 and the refractive index boundary surface 22. The refractive index boundary surface 23 is also the light exit surface of the lens 10c.

[0046] exist Figure 7In the lens 10c of the structural example shown in (A), the curvature is locally set to be relatively strong (large) at the portion 22a on the left side of the refractive index boundary surface 22 in the figure. As a result, among the light emitted from the light exit point P and incident on the lens 10c, the light component incident on the portion 22a of the refractive index boundary surface 22 is subjected to stronger refraction, and is further refracted at the refractive index boundary surface 23 and deflected to the right direction in the figure. According to the lens 10c of such a structure, the light emitted from each light emitting element 1, 5 can be made to travel in a manner that expands in a specific direction. In addition, if each refractive index boundary surface 20 to the refractive index boundary surface 23 is reversed in the X direction in the figure, the deflection direction of the light can be reversed.

[0047] exist Figure 7 In the lens 10c of the structural example shown in (B), the curvature is locally set to be relatively weak (small) at the portion 22b on the right side of the refractive index boundary surface 22 in the figure. As a result, the light component incident on the portion 22b of the refractive index boundary surface 22 among the light emitted from the light exit point P and incident on the lens 10c is refracted more weakly, and then refracted at the refractive index boundary surface 23 and deflected to the right in the figure. By using such a structure of the lens 10c, it is also possible to make the light emitted from each light emitting element 1, 5 travel in a manner that expands in a specific direction. In addition, if each refractive index boundary surface 20 to the refractive index boundary surface 23 is reversed in the X direction in the figure, the deflection direction of the light can be reversed.

[0048] Figure 8 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a more detailed embodiment of the lens. The lens 10c of the embodiment is shown in a state of being assembled in the housing 10e. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the light rays shown by the thin lines, the hatching is omitted. As an example, a lens having the above-mentioned Figure 7 The lens 10c of the embodiment of the refractive index boundary surface described in (B) is used. As the refractive index boundary surface for the light emitted from each light emitting element 1, 5, the above-mentioned refractive index boundary surfaces 20 to 23 are used. In addition, although not shown in the figure, it is also possible to use Figure 7 The refractive index boundary surface 23 as the light exiting surface of the lens 10c is arranged on the side close to the second opening on the lower side of the housing 10e in the figure. As shown in the figure, the diameter of the second opening is smaller than the diameter of the first opening on the upper side of the housing 10e in the figure.

[0049] According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to obtain a vehicle lamp that can improve design properties.

[0050] In addition, the present disclosure is not limited to the contents of the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be implemented in various modifications within the scope of the main purpose of the present disclosure. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments, a vehicle lamp having a structure in which light-emitting elements responsible for forming high beams and light-emitting elements responsible for forming low beams are mixed is shown, but the vehicle lamp can also be divided into high beam forming and low beam forming. Specifically, the vehicle lamp can be constructed in a manner in which each of the light-emitting elements 1 to 5 in the above-mentioned embodiments is responsible for forming high beams. Similarly, the vehicle lamp can be constructed in a manner in which each of the light-emitting elements 1 to 5 in the above-mentioned embodiments is responsible for forming low beams.

[0051] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, each light emitting element 1, 3, 5 is responsible for forming a low beam, and each light emitting element 2, 4 is responsible for forming a high beam, but their roles may be switched. In addition, each light emitting element 1 to 5 may also be responsible for forming light other than a low beam and a high beam (for example, a fog lamp, a tail lamp, etc.). In addition, the number of light emitting elements is not limited to 5 as shown in the embodiment.

[0052] In any case, by making the light emitted from each light emitting element 1, 5 corresponding to the left and right directions when mounted on the vehicle to spread in a manner biased toward a specific direction, the opening diameter of the housing 10e can be not increased, and the design can be improved. In addition, when the number of light emitting elements is increased, it is also possible to make the light emitted from two or more light emitting elements on the left and right ends side biased toward a specific direction instead of one light emitting element each when mounted on the vehicle.

[0053] The present disclosure has the following additional features.

[0054] (Note 1)

[0055] A vehicle lamp, comprising:

[0056] a plurality of light emitting elements;

[0057] a lens that transmits light emitted from each of the plurality of light emitting elements;

[0058] a housing that allows the light passing through the lens to pass therethrough,

[0059] The plurality of light emitting elements include at least one first light emitting element disposed on the left end side when mounted on the vehicle and at least one second light emitting element disposed on the right end side when mounted on the vehicle.

[0060] The first light emitted from the first light emitting element and transmitted through the lens passes through the housing in a manner that spreads in a rightward direction relative to the front-rear direction when mounted on the vehicle.

[0061] The second light emitted from the second light emitting element and transmitted through the lens passes through the housing so as to spread in a leftward direction with respect to the front-rear direction when mounted on the vehicle.

[0062] (Note 2)

[0063] The vehicle lamp according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein:

[0064] In the first light, a component traveling in the right direction is larger than a component traveling in the left direction based on the front-rear direction when the light is mounted on the vehicle.

[0065] In the second light, a component traveling in the left direction is larger than a component traveling in the right direction based on the front-rear direction when mounted on the vehicle.

[0066] (Note 3)

[0067] The vehicle lamp according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein:

[0068] The housing has a first opening and a second opening with a smaller diameter than the first opening.

[0069] The light emitting surface of the lens is arranged on a side close to the second opening of the housing, so that the first light and the second light are emitted from the light emitting surface toward the first opening.

[0070] (Note 4)

[0071] The vehicle lamp according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein:

[0072] The plurality of light emitting elements include one or more third light emitting elements disposed between the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element.

[0073] The third light emitted from the third light emitting element and transmitted through the lens passes through the housing so as to spread substantially symmetrically with respect to the front-rear direction when mounted on the vehicle.

[0074] (Note 5)

[0075] The vehicle lamp according to Supplementary Note 4, wherein:

[0076] The first light and the second light are emitted at a larger angle than the third light.

[0077] Description of Reference Numerals

[0078] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5: light emitting element; 10: vehicle lamp; 10a: light source substrate; 10b: heat sink; 10c: lens; 10d: drive circuit; 10e: housing; 20, 21, 22, 23: refractive index boundary surface

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp, wherein: The vehicle lamp comprises: a plurality of light emitting elements; a lens that transmits light emitted from each of the plurality of light emitting elements; and a housing that allows the light passing through the lens to pass therethrough, The plurality of light emitting elements include at least one first light emitting element disposed on the left end side when mounted on the vehicle and at least one second light emitting element disposed on the right end side when mounted on the vehicle. The first light emitted from the first light emitting element and transmitted through the lens passes through the housing in a manner that spreads in a rightward direction relative to the front-rear direction when mounted on the vehicle. The second light emitted from the second light emitting element and transmitted through the lens passes through the housing so as to spread in a leftward direction with respect to the front-rear direction when mounted on the vehicle.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein: In the first light, a component traveling in the right direction is larger than a component traveling in the left direction based on the front-rear direction when the light is mounted on the vehicle. In the second light, a component traveling in the left direction is larger than a component traveling in the right direction based on the front-rear direction when mounted on the vehicle.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein: The housing has a first opening and a second opening with a smaller diameter than the first opening. The light emitting surface of the lens is arranged on a side close to the second opening of the housing, so that the first light and the second light are emitted from the light emitting surface toward the first opening.

4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of light emitting elements include one or more third light emitting elements disposed between the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element. The third light emitted from the third light emitting element and transmitted through the lens passes through the housing so as to spread substantially symmetrically with respect to the front-rear direction when mounted on the vehicle.

5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 4, wherein: The first light and the second light are emitted at a larger angle than the third light.

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