Vehicle lamp

Abstract

A vehicle lamp (1) includes a light source (20), a plate-shaped light guide (30) having an end surface (32) through which light from the light source (20) enters, and guiding the light entered from the end surface (32) to the opposite side of the end surface (32), the light guide (30) is composed of a light entrance portion (40) including the end surface (32), and a light exit portion (50) connected to the opposite side of the end surface (32) of the light entrance portion (40), the light entrance portion (40) has at least one main surface provided with a plurality of light entrance portion steps (45) that internally reflect light, the light exit portion (50) has a shape different from the light entrance portion steps (45), and a plurality of light exit portion steps (55) that make the light propagated from the light entrance portion (40) exit from one main surface (52) of the light exit portion (50), and the amount of light per unit area that exits from the main surface (52) of the light exit portion (50) is more than the amount of light per unit area that exits from the main surface (42) of the main surface on the side of the main surface (52) of the light exit portion (50) among the main surfaces of the light entrance portion (40).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to vehicle lighting fixtures. Background Technology

[0002] A vehicle lamp has a structure that includes a light source and a plate-shaped light guide that guides the light from the light source. Such a vehicle lamp is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.

[0003] The vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1 includes: a light source; and a plate-shaped light guide having an end face opposite to the light source into which light from the light source enters, guiding light entering from the end face to the opposite side of the end face. The light guide comprises a light-incident portion including the end face and a light-exiting portion connected to the opposite side of the end face of the light-incident portion. The light-exiting portion has multiple light-exiting portion steps that internally reflect light propagating from the light-incident portion so that light is emitted from a main surface of the light-exiting portion. Therefore, light entering from the end face propagates from the light-incident portion to the light-exiting portion, is internally reflected at the light-exiting portion steps, and is emitted from a main surface of the light-exiting portion.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-16386 Summary of the Invention

[0005] In such vehicle lighting fixtures, most of the light is reflected by the inner surfaces of the two principal surfaces of the light-incident section and propagates towards the light-exiting section. When the distance to the light-incident section is short, the number of reflections of the light from the inner surfaces of the principal surfaces is small, making it difficult for the propagation direction of the light propagating in the light-incident section to deviate. Therefore, in multiple light-exiting section steps, the amount of light component that enters in a manner that exits from one principal surface of the light-exiting section is prone to unevenness, sometimes resulting in an uneven appearance. As a method to suppress such unevenness, for example, there are methods such as extending the distance of the light-incident section or bending the light-incident section. However, due to the requirement for greater freedom in light source configuration, it is sometimes difficult to adopt the above methods.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp that can increase the freedom of light source configuration and suppress uneven appearance.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the vehicle lamp of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a light source; and a plate-shaped light guide having an end face opposite to the light source and into which light from the light source enters, and guiding light entering from the end face to the opposite side of the end face. The light guide is composed of a light-incident portion including the end face and a light-exiting portion connected to the opposite side of the end face of the light-incident portion. The light-incident portion has at least one main surface disposed thereon, and a plurality of light-incident portion steps that reflect light entering from the end face inward. The light-exiting portion has a shape different from the light-incident portion steps, and a plurality of light-exiting portion steps that allow light propagating from the light-incident portion to exit from one main surface of the light-exiting portion. The amount of light per unit area emitted from the main surface of the light-exiting portion is greater than the amount of light per unit area emitted from the main surface of the light-exiting portion on the main surface side of the light-incident portion.

[0008] In this vehicle lamp, the light-incident section has multiple light-incident section steps that internally reflect light incident from the end face. Therefore, even without extending the distance of the light-incident section or bending it, compared to the case without light-incident section steps, the internal reflection of light from the main surface of the light-incident section can become irregular, resulting in deviations in the propagation direction of the light propagating through the light-incident section. Therefore, compared to the above situation, in the multiple light-exiting section steps, the amount of light component incident from one main surface of the light-exiting section is less likely to become uneven, suppressing appearance unevenness. Therefore, compared to the above situation, the freedom of light source configuration can be increased, and appearance unevenness can be suppressed.

[0009] Alternatively, the plurality of light-incident step sections may be disposed on the two main surfaces of the light-incident section.

[0010] According to this structure, compared with the case where the light-incident step is only set on one main surface of the light-incident part, the propagation direction of the light propagating in the light-incident part can be further deviated, and the appearance unevenness can be further suppressed.

[0011] Alternatively, the plurality of light-incident step sections may include a plurality of convex cylindrical steps extending from the end face side toward the light-emitting side and arranged side by side.

[0012] Due to this structure, the propagation direction of light propagating in the light-incident section is prone to deviate in the width direction of the light-incident section.

[0013] Alternatively, the spacing between adjacent light-emitting steps may be narrower than the spacing between adjacent convex cylindrical steps.

[0014] Alternatively, the light source may have at least one emitting surface for emitting light, and the spacing of the convex cylindrical steps may be less than the width of the emitting surface in the arrangement direction of the plurality of convex cylindrical steps.

[0015] Alternatively, the plurality of light-incident step sections may include concave cylindrical steps located between adjacent convex cylindrical steps, extending from the end face side toward the light-emitting side.

[0016] Based on this structure, the direction of light propagation in the light-incident section can be easily deviated in the width direction of the light-incident section by means of convex and concave cylindrical steps.

[0017] Alternatively, the width of the convex cylindrical step may be wider than the width of the concave cylindrical step. Or, the width of the convex cylindrical step may be narrower than the width of the concave cylindrical step.

[0018] Alternatively, the plurality of light-incident step sections may include a plurality of concave cylindrical steps extending from the end face side toward the light-emitting side and arranged side by side.

[0019] Due to this structure, the propagation direction of light propagating in the incident light section is prone to deviation in the width direction of the incident light section.

[0020] Alternatively, the plurality of light-incident step sections may include a plurality of convex fisheye step sections.

[0021] The fisheye step allows the direction of light propagation to deviate in both the width and thickness directions of the light-incident portion. Therefore, compared to cases where the light-incident portion step is a convex or concave cylindrical step, this structure makes it easier to deviate the direction of light propagating in the light-incident portion. For example, even if the length of the light-incident portion is shortened, unevenness in appearance can be suppressed, and the freedom of light source configuration can be increased.

[0022] Alternatively, the fisheye steps on the main surface of the light-receiving portion, which are provided with the fisheye steps, may be recessed between adjacent fisheye steps.

[0023] Compared to the case where the adjacent fisheye steps are planar, it is easier for the propagation direction of light propagating in the light-incident section to deviate. For example, even if the length of the light-incident section is shortened, appearance unevenness can be suppressed, and the freedom of light source configuration can be increased.

[0024] Alternatively, the lights used on the aforementioned vehicles may be marker lights.

[0025] As described above, according to the present invention, a vehicle lamp can be provided that can increase the freedom of light source configuration and suppress appearance unevenness. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the light source and light guide of the first embodiment from the rear.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of the light guide body viewed from an oblique angle.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a vertical cross-sectional view of the light-receiving section.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the light source and light guide of the second embodiment from the rear.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a vertical cross-sectional view of the light-receiving section in the second embodiment.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a vertical cross-sectional view of the light-receiving portion in a modified example. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The following is related to the appendix. Figure 1 The following examples illustrate vehicle lighting fixtures for implementing the present invention. The embodiments described below are for ease of understanding and are not intended to limit or explain the invention. Within the scope of the claims, modifications and alterations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the components of the various embodiments described in the following examples can be appropriately combined. It should be noted that in the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of various components are sometimes changed for ease of understanding.

[0034] <First Implementation>

[0035] Figure 1 This is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment is a taillight, serving as a marker light for an automatic four-wheeled vehicle. Such taillights are generally located on the left and right sides of the rear of the vehicle. In this specification, "right" refers to the right side in the direction of vehicle travel, and "left" refers to the left side in the direction of vehicle travel. The left and right taillights are identical in structure, except that their shapes are approximately symmetrical in the left-right direction. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 serving as the left taillight will be described below. It should be noted that... Figure 1 In the middle, the upper side is the front side of the vehicle, and the lower side is the rear side of the vehicle.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment has a frame 10, a light source 20 and a light guide 30 for guiding light from the light source 20 as its main structure.

[0037] The frame 10 has a lamp housing 11 and a light-transmitting outer cover 12. The lamp housing 11 has an opening at the rear, and the outer cover 12 is fixed to the lamp housing 11 to block the opening. The light source 20 and the light guide 30 are housed in the space formed by the lamp housing 11 and the outer cover 12.

[0038] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the light source 20 and light guide 30 of this embodiment as viewed from the rear. Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the light source 20 of this embodiment includes a plurality of light-emitting elements 22. In this embodiment, the light-emitting elements 22 emit red light when the vehicle's headlights are turned on. The light-emitting elements 22 in this embodiment are LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) that emit Lambert-distributed light. It should be noted that the light-emitting elements 22 are not limited.

[0039] The light guide 30 in this embodiment is a plate-shaped component with light transmittance, arranged with one main surface facing rearward. The shape of the light guide 30 is a rectangle with an elongated dimension in the left-right direction. A plurality of light-emitting elements 22 are arranged such that the light-emitting exit surface 24 faces the right end (end face 32) of the light guide 30, and are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the vertical direction along the end face 32. Light emitted from the light-emitting elements 22 enters the light guide 30 from the end face 32. In this embodiment, the end face 32 is a plane that is approximately parallel to the thickness direction of the light guide 30.

[0040] The light guide 30 comprises a light-incident portion 40 including an end face 32 and a light-emitting portion 50 connected to the side opposite to the end face 32 side of the light-incident portion 40. That is, the light-incident portion 40 is the portion of the light guide 30 on the side opposite to the end face 32 side, and the light-emitting portion 50 is the portion of the light guide 30 on the side opposite to the end face 32 side. Examples of materials constituting the light guide 30 include transparent resin and glass. In this embodiment, the light-incident portion 40 and the light-emitting portion 50 are integrated.

[0041] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of the light guide 30 viewed from an oblique angle above. Figure 4 This is a vertical cross-sectional view of the light-receiving section 40. (See image below.) Figure 3 , Figure 4As shown, multiple light-incident steps 45 are provided on both the main surface 42 on the rear side and the main surface 44 on the front side of the light-incident section 40. Each main surface 42, 44 has multiple light-incident steps 45, including multiple convex cylindrical steps 46 and multiple concave cylindrical steps 47. The multiple convex cylindrical steps 46 are steps formed by curved surfaces with a convex shape that bends in an arc shape with a cross-section perpendicular to the extending direction, extending from the end face 32 towards the light-emitting section 50 and arranged side-by-side. The multiple concave cylindrical steps 47 are steps formed by curved surfaces with a concave shape that bends in an arc shape with a cross-section perpendicular to the extending direction, extending from the end face 32 towards the light-emitting section 50. In this embodiment, the concave cylindrical steps 47 are located between adjacent convex cylindrical steps 46. Therefore, the multiple concave cylindrical steps 47 are arranged side-by-side. Adjacent convex cylindrical steps 46 and concave cylindrical steps 47 are connected in a manner that does not form a bend. In addition, the convex cylindrical step 46 and the concave cylindrical step 47 extend from the end face 32 side of the light-entry section 40 to the end face 50 side of the light-emission section, and the main surfaces 42 and 44 are composed of the convex cylindrical step 46 and the concave cylindrical step 47.

[0042] In this embodiment, the width 46W of the convex cylindrical steps 46 in the arrangement direction is wider than the width 47W of the concave cylindrical steps 47 in the same direction. Furthermore, the spacing 46D between adjacent convex cylindrical steps 46 is less than or equal to the width 24W of the emitting surface 24 of the light-emitting element 22 in the arrangement direction of the plurality of convex cylindrical steps 46. It should be noted that the spacing 46D of the convex cylindrical steps 46 is the distance between the centers 46C of the convex cylindrical steps 46. Additionally, the width 24W of the emitting surface 24 can be understood as the width of the emitting surface 24 in the direction parallel to the main surface 42, and the spacing 46D may exceed the width 24W. It should be noted that the boundary between the convex cylindrical steps 46 and the concave cylindrical steps 47 is the inflection point in the curve representing the convex cylindrical steps 46 and the concave cylindrical steps 47 in the cross-section.

[0043] Furthermore, the center 46C of the convex cylindrical step 46 of the main surface 42 overlaps with the center 46C of the convex cylindrical step 46 of the main surface 44 in the thickness direction of the light-receiving portion 40. The center 47C of the concave cylindrical step 47 of the main surface 42 overlaps with the center 47C of the concave cylindrical step 47 of the main surface 44 in the thickness direction of the light-receiving portion 40.

[0044] like Figure 2 , Figure 3As shown, in this embodiment, the main surface 52 on the rear side of the light emitting section 50 is a plane, and a plurality of light emitting section steps 55 with different shapes from the light incident section steps 45 are provided on this main surface 52. The light emitting section steps 55 are concave point structures that are recessed inward from the main surface 52 of the light emitting section 50. The plurality of light emitting section steps 55 are arranged in a matrix shape forming columns in the vertical and horizontal directions. The spacing 55D1 between adjacent light emitting section steps 55 in the vertical direction is approximately the same as the spacing 55D2 between adjacent light emitting section steps 55 in the horizontal direction. It should be noted that the spacing 55D1 and 55D2 of the light emitting section steps 55 is the distance between the centers of the light emitting section steps 55. These spacings 55D1 and 55D2 are narrower than the spacing 46D of adjacent convex cylindrical steps 46, and in this embodiment, they are approximately half the spacing 46D. Furthermore, there are no restrictions on the arrangement of the multiple light-emitting section steps 55; for example, the multiple light-emitting section steps 55 can also be arranged in an alternating grid pattern. It should be noted that the main surface 54 on the front side of the light-emitting section 50 is a plane that does not form steps.

[0045] Next, the operation of the vehicle lamp 1 in this embodiment will be explained.

[0046] When the vehicle's headlights are turned on, the light-emitting element 22 of the light source 20 emits red light. Light from the light source 20 enters the light-incident section 40 from the end face 32 of the light guide 30, propagates inside the light-incident section 40 towards the light-emitting section 50, and enters the light-emitting section 50. Most of the light propagating in the light-incident section 40 is repeatedly reflected on the inner surfaces of the main surfaces 42 and 44 of the light-incident section 40 and then towards the light-emitting section 50. In this embodiment, since the main surfaces 42 and 44 are composed of a convex cylindrical step 46 and a concave cylindrical step 47, the convex cylindrical step 46 and the concave cylindrical step 47 reflect the light from the inner surface. That is, the convex cylindrical step 46 and the concave cylindrical step 47, which are the light-incident section steps 45, are steps that reflect the light entering from the end face 32 from the inner surface.

[0047] Light propagating in the light emitting section 50 that enters the light emitting section step 55 provided on the main surface 52 is emitted rearward from the light emitting section step 55. That is, the light emitting section step 55 is a step that allows light propagating from the light-receiving section 40 to be emitted from the main surface 52 of the light emitting section 50. In this way, the light emitted rearward from the main surface 52 of the light emitting section 50 illuminates the rear of the vehicle via the outer cover 12. Thus, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment functions as a taillight when the vehicle's headlights are turned on. It should be noted that light also leaks from the main surface 42 of the light-receiving section 40, but the amount of light emitted per unit area from the main surface 52 of the light emitting section 50 is greater than the amount of light emitted per unit area from the main surface 42 of the light-receiving section 40. That is, the shapes of the convex cylindrical step 46, the concave cylindrical step 47, and the light emitting section step 55 are adjusted to achieve this amount of light emission.

[0048] As explained above, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the light guide 30 is composed of a light-incident portion 40 including an end face 32 and a light-emitting portion 50 connected to the side opposite to the end face 32 side of the light-incident portion 40. The light-incident portion 40 has a plurality of light-incident portion steps 45 provided on the main surfaces 42 and 44 of the light-incident portion 40 for inward reflection of light incident from the end face 32. The light-emitting portion 50 has a different shape from the light-incident portion steps 45, so that light propagating from the light-incident portion 40 is emitted from the main surface 52 of the light-emitting portion 50. According to the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, even without extending the distance of the light-incident portion 40 or without bending the light-incident portion 40, compared with the case where the light-incident portion steps 45 are not formed, the inward reflection of light in the main surfaces 42 and 44 can become irregular, and the propagation direction of light propagating in the light-incident portion 40 can be deviated. Therefore, according to the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, compared with the above-described case, the amount of light component incident in the plurality of light emitting section steps 55, which is emitted from the main surface 52 of the light emitting section 50, is less likely to be uneven, and appearance unevenness can be suppressed. Therefore, according to the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, compared with the above-described case, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the light source 20 can be increased, and appearance unevenness can be suppressed. It should be noted that the distance of the light-incident section 40 is the length of the light-incident section 40 in the direction from the end face 32 side toward the light emitting section 50 side, and in this embodiment, it is the length of the light-incident section 40 in the left-right direction.

[0049] In the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of light-incident step 45 are provided on the two main surfaces 42, 44 of the light-incident part 40. Therefore, according to the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, compared with the case where the light-incident step 45 is provided only on one main surface of the light-incident part 40, the propagation direction of the light propagating in the light-incident part 40 can be further deviated, and appearance unevenness can be further suppressed. It should be noted that the light-incident step 45 may be provided only on the main surface 42 located on the side of the main surface 52 where the light is emitted from the light-emitting part 50, or it may be provided only on the main surface 44 located on the opposite side of the main surface 52.

[0050] In the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the plurality of light-incident portion steps 45 include a plurality of convex cylindrical steps 46 extending from the end face 32 side toward the light-emitting portion 50 side and arranged side by side. Therefore, according to the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the propagation direction of light propagating in the light-incident portion 40 can easily deviate in the width direction of the light-incident portion 40. It should be noted that the width direction of the light-incident portion 40 is the direction from the end face 32 side toward the light-emitting portion 50 side and the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the light-incident portion 40, which in this embodiment is the vertical direction.

[0051] In the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the plurality of light-incident step 45 includes a concave cylindrical step 47, which is located between adjacent convex cylindrical steps 46 and extends from the end face 32 side toward the light-emitting part 50 side. Therefore, according to the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the convex cylindrical steps 46 and the concave cylindrical steps 47 can easily cause the propagation direction of light propagating in the light-incident part 40 to deviate in the width direction of the light-incident part 40. In addition, compared with the convex cylindrical steps 46, the concave cylindrical steps 47 are more likely to cause the propagation direction of light in the width direction of the light-incident part 40. Therefore, according to the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, compared with the case where the plurality of light-incident step 45 does not include the concave cylindrical steps 47, the propagation direction of light propagating in the light-incident part 40 is more likely to deviate. For example, even if the length of the light-incident part 40 is shortened, appearance unevenness can be suppressed, and the degree of freedom of the light source 20 arrangement can be improved.

[0052] <Second Implementation>

[0053] Next, the second embodiment will be described in detail. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals are used for the same or equivalent components as in the first embodiment, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0054] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the light source 20 and light guide 30 of this embodiment from the rear. Figure 6 This is a vertical cross-sectional view of the light-receiving portion 40 in this embodiment. (See attached image.) Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the structure of the light-incident step 45 differs mainly from that of the light-incident step 45 in the first embodiment. The light-incident step 45 of this embodiment replaces the convex cylindrical step 46 and concave cylindrical step 47 of the first embodiment, and is composed of multiple convex fisheye steps 48. The multiple convex fisheye steps 48 are steps formed by convex curved surfaces that are partially curved like a sphere, and are arranged in a matrix shape forming columns in the vertical and horizontal directions. The multiple fisheye steps 48 are approximately the same size. It should be noted that the arrangement of the convex fisheye steps 48 is not limited; for example, the convex fisheye steps 48 can also be arranged in an alternating lattice pattern.

[0055] The spacing 48D1 between adjacent fisheye steps 48 in the vertical direction is approximately the same as the spacing 48D2 between adjacent fisheye steps 48 in the horizontal direction. It should be noted that the spacing 48D1 and 48D2 of the fisheye steps 48 is the distance between the centers of the fisheye steps 48. These spacings 48D1 and 48D2 are less than or equal to the width 24W of the emitting surface 24 of the light-emitting element 22 in a direction parallel to the main surface 42. It should be noted that the spacings 48D1 and 48D2 can be different or greater than the width 24W.

[0056] In addition, the center 48C of the fisheye step 48 of the main surface 42 overlaps with the center 48C of the fisheye step 48 of the main surface 44 in the thickness direction of the light-receiving portion 40.

[0057] Furthermore, between adjacent fisheye steps 48 on the main surfaces 42 and 44, there are concave recesses 49, and the shape of the recesses 49 in the cross-section of adjacent fisheye steps 48 is arc-shaped. Additionally, the center of the recess 49 surrounded by four fisheye steps 48 is the most concave. Furthermore, the main surfaces 42 and 44 are composed of multiple fisheye steps 48 and recesses 49.

[0058] In this embodiment, most of the light propagating in the light-incident section 40 that is incident on the fisheye step 48 is internally reflected in the fisheye step 48 toward the light-exiting section 50. That is, the fisheye step 48 is a step that internally reflects the light propagating in the light-incident section 40.

[0059] According to this embodiment, the vehicle lamp 1, similar to the first embodiment, can improve the freedom of the light source 20 arrangement and suppress appearance unevenness compared to the case where the fisheye step 48, which serves as the light-entry step 45, is not formed.

[0060] The fisheye step 48 can cause deviations in the direction of light propagation in both the width and thickness directions of the light-incident portion 40. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment, compared to cases where the light-incident portion step 45 is a convex cylindrical step 46 or a concave cylindrical step 47, the direction of light propagating in the light-incident portion 40 is more prone to deviation. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment, for example, even if the length of the light-incident portion 40 is shortened, appearance unevenness can be suppressed, and the freedom of arrangement of the light source 20 can be increased.

[0061] The present invention has been described above using the above embodiments as examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0062] For example, in the first embodiment described above, the light-entry step 45, which includes convex cylindrical steps 46 and concave cylindrical steps 47, was described as an example. In the second embodiment, the light-entry step 45, which is composed of fisheye steps 48, was described as an example. However, there is no limitation on the structure of the light-entry step 45 as long as it performs internal reflection of light incident from the end face 32 and the amount of light emitted from the main surface 52 of the light-exiting part 50 per unit area is greater than the amount of light emitted from the main surface 42 on the side of the main surface 52 of the main surfaces 42 and 44 of the light-entry part 40. For example, the multiple light-entry steps 45 may be composed of only multiple convex cylindrical steps 46 or only multiple concave cylindrical steps 47. In addition, the multiple light-entry steps 45 may also include multiple convex cylindrical steps 46, multiple concave cylindrical steps 47, and multiple fisheye steps 48.

[0063] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, an example was given in which adjacent convex cylindrical steps 46 and concave cylindrical steps 47 are connected. However, adjacent convex cylindrical steps 46 and concave cylindrical steps 47 can also be separated.

[0064] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, an example was given where the width 46W of the convex cylindrical step 46 is wider than the width 47W of the concave cylindrical step 47. However, as... Figure 7 As shown, the width 46W can also be narrower than the width 47W. As described above, compared to the convex cylindrical step 46, the concave cylindrical step 47 is more prone to deviation in the direction of light propagation in the width direction of the light-incident portion 40. Therefore, according to the vehicle lamp 1 of this modified example, compared to the case where the width 46W is wider than the width 47W, it is possible to make the direction of light propagating in the light-incident portion 40 more prone to deviation. For example, even if the length of the light-incident portion 40 is shortened, appearance unevenness can be suppressed, and the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the light source 20 can be improved.

[0065] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, an example was given where the center 46C of the convex cylindrical step 46 of the main surface 42 overlaps with the center 46C of the convex cylindrical step 46 of the main surface 44 in the thickness direction of the light-receiving portion 40, and the center 47C of the concave cylindrical step 47 of the main surface 42 overlaps with the center 47C of the concave cylindrical step 47 of the main surface 44 in the thickness direction of the light-receiving portion 40. However, the arrangement of the convex cylindrical step 46 and the concave cylindrical step 47 in the main surfaces 42 and 44 can also be staggered in the arrangement direction. That is, the phase of the arrangement of the convex cylindrical step 46 in the main surfaces 42 and 44 can also be different. For example, the center 46C of the convex cylindrical step 46 of the main surface 42 can overlap with the concave cylindrical step 47 in the thickness direction of the light-receiving portion 40, and the center 46C can also overlap with the center 47C in the thickness direction of the light-receiving portion 40.

[0066] Furthermore, the width 46W of the convex cylindrical step 46 on the main surface 42 may be different from the width 46W of the convex cylindrical step 46 on the main surface 44. Additionally, the widths 46W of two or more convex cylindrical steps 46 on the main surface 42 may be different from each other, and the widths 47W of two or more concave cylindrical steps 47 on the main surface 42 may also be different from each other. Similarly, the widths 46W of two or more convex cylindrical steps 46 on the main surface 44 may be different from each other, and the widths 47W of two or more concave cylindrical steps 47 on the main surface 44 may also be different from each other.

[0067] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the center 48C of the fisheye step 48 on the main surface 42 may not overlap with the center 48C of the fisheye step 48 on the main surface 44 in the thickness direction of the light-receiving portion 40. Additionally, the sizes of two or more fisheye steps 48 on the main surface 42 may be different, and the sizes of two or more fisheye steps 48 on the main surface 44 may also be different.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the end face 32 is a plane, but it is not limited to this. For example, the end face 32 may also be a curved surface with a concave curvature on the inner side of the light guide 30 and an arc-shaped cross-section perpendicular to the end face 32 and the main face 42. With such a structure, light entering the end face 32 from the light source 20 can easily be directed toward the main face 42 and the main face 44 of the light incident portion 40. Therefore, the propagation direction of the light propagating in the light incident portion 40 is easily deviated. Alternatively, the end face 32 may also be a curved surface with a convex curvature on the outer side of the light guide 30 and an arc-shaped cross-section perpendicular to the end face 32 and the main face 42.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the light emitting section step 55, which is constructed as a concave point, was described as an example. However, the light emitting section step 55 can have a different shape from the light-incident section step 45, and there are no limitations as long as it is a structure that allows light propagating from the light-incident section 40 to exit from the main surface 52 of the light emitting section 50. For example, the light emitting section step 55 may also be a step provided on the main surface 54, which allows light propagating from the light-incident section 40 to be reflected inwards towards the main surface 52 and exit from the main surface 52. In addition, the plurality of light emitting section steps 55 may also include: a step provided on the main surface 54 that allows light propagating from the light-incident section 40 to be reflected inwards towards the main surface 52 and exit from the main surface 52; and other steps provided on the main surface 52 that allow light propagating from the light-incident section 40 to exit from the main surface 52. Furthermore, when multiple light-emitting step 55s are provided on one of the main surfaces 52 and 54, the light-incident step 45 may also be provided only on the main surface of the main surfaces 42 and 44 located on the side where the light-emitting step 55 is provided. For example, in the first embodiment, it may be provided only on the main surface 42. Alternatively, the light-incident step 45 may also be provided only on the main surface of the main surfaces 42 and 44 located on the side opposite to the side where the light-emitting step 55 is provided. For example, in the first embodiment, it may be provided only on the main surface 44.

[0070] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, an example was given where the adjacent fisheye steps 48 on the main surfaces 42 and 44 are recessed in a concave shape, but this is not a limitation. For example, the area between adjacent fisheye steps 48 on the main surfaces 42 and 44 may also be planar.

[0071] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a light source 20 containing multiple light-emitting elements 22 was described as an example, but the light source 20 is not limited to this.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a light source 20 emitting red light was described as an example. However, the color of the light emitted by the light source 20 is not limited. For example, the color of the light could also be white. In this case, for example, the light guide 30 could be made of red transparent resin or glass.

[0073] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, vehicle lamp 1, which serves as a taillight for a four-wheeled vehicle, was described as an example. However, vehicle lamp 1 is not limited. For example, vehicle lamp 1 can be a turn signal, brake light, or other similar indicator light, or it can be a lamp used on a two-wheeled vehicle, or it can be an interior light.

[0074] According to the present invention, a vehicle lamp is provided that can improve the freedom of light source configuration and suppress appearance unevenness, and can be used in the fields of vehicle lamps such as automobiles.

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp, characterized in that, have: Light source; and A plate-shaped light guide has an end face opposite to the light source and into which light from the light source enters, and guides light entering from the end face to the opposite side of the end face. The light guide is composed of a light-incident portion including the end face and a light-emitting portion connected to the side opposite to the end face of the light-incident portion. The light-incident portion has at least one main surface disposed thereon, and multiple light-incident portion steps for internal reflection of light incident from the end face. The light emitting section has a different shape from the light incident section step, and multiple light emitting section steps are provided so that light propagating from the light incident section exits from a main surface of the light emitting section. The amount of light emitted per unit area from the main surface of the light emitting portion is greater than the amount of light emitted per unit area from the main surface of the light emitting portion on the side of the main surface of the light emitting portion.

2. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of light-incident step sections are disposed on the two main surfaces of the light-incident section.

3. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of light-incident step sections include a plurality of convex cylindrical steps that extend from the end face side toward the light-emitting side and are arranged side by side.

4. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 3, characterized in that, The spacing between adjacent light-emitting steps is narrower than the spacing between adjacent convex cylindrical steps.

5. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 3, characterized in that, The light source has at least one light-emitting surface. The spacing of the convex cylindrical steps is less than or equal to the width of the exit surface in the arrangement direction of the plurality of convex cylindrical steps.

6. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The plurality of light-incident step sections include concave cylindrical steps located between adjacent convex cylindrical steps, extending from the end face side toward the light-emitting side.

7. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 6, characterized in that, The width of the convex cylindrical step is wider than the width of the concave cylindrical step.

8. The vehicle lamp according to claim 6, characterized in that, The width of the convex cylindrical step is narrower than the width of the concave cylindrical step.

9. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of light-incident step sections include a plurality of concave cylindrical step sections extending from the end face side toward the light-emitting side and arranged side by side.

10. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of light-receiving step sections include a plurality of convex fisheye step sections.

11. The vehicle lamp according to claim 10, characterized in that, The main surface of the light-receiving portion, where the fisheye steps are provided, has concave depressions between adjacent fisheye steps.

12. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle uses marker lights.

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