Vehicle lamp

Abstract

A vehicle lamp includes: a light source unit having a light source and emitting light from the light source toward a front side; a lens panel disposed on the front side of the light source unit, having a lens portion including a concave lens portion recessed toward a back side and a convex lens portion protruding toward a front side, and emitting light from the light source unit toward the front side from a light exit surface of the lens portion; and an outer lens disposed on the front side of the lens panel and emitting light emitted from the lens panel toward the front side. A light-transmitting pattern having an opening that is shaped to correspond to a shape of the lens portion is formed on a front-side surface of the lens panel.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] A vehicle lamp having a lens panel that emits light from a light source toward the front side is known (for example, see Patent Literature 1).PRIOR ART LITERATUREPATENT LITERATURE

[0003] Patent Literature 1; JP 2018-120037 ASUMMARY OF INVENTIONPROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0004] In the vehicle lamp as described above, it is required to achieve a three-dimensional light-emitting state with a sense of depth.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle lamp capable of achieving a three-dimensional light-emitting state with a sense of depth.SOLUTION TO PROBLEMS

[0006] A vehicle lamp according to the present invention includes: a light source unit having a light source and emitting light from the light source toward a front side; a lens panel disposed on the front side of the light source unit, having a lens portion including a concave lens portion recessed toward a back side and a convex lens portion protruding toward a front side, and emitting light from the light source unit toward the front side from a light exit surface of the lens portion; and an outer lens disposed on the front side of the lens panel and emitting light emitted from the lens panel toward the front side. A light-transmitting pattern having an opening that is shaped to correspond to a shape of the lens portion is formed on a front-side surface of the lens panel.EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp capable of achieving a three-dimensional light-emitting state with a sense of depth.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an example of a rear portion of a vehicle according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example of a vehicle lamp according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an example of the vehicle lamp according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an example of the vehicle lamp according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an example of the vehicle lamp according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an example of the vehicle lamp according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an example of the vehicle lamp according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a lens panel according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a view illustrating examples of a shape of a light reflection pattern provided in the lens panel according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an outer shape of the lens panel according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the outer shape of the lens panel according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an overall configuration of the vehicle lamp. FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the vehicle lamp. FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the vehicle lamp. FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the vehicle lamp. FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the vehicle lamp. EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle lamp according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment. Furthermore, the constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily replaceable by those skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] In the present embodiment, front and rear directions are, for example, directions in a state of being mounted on a vehicle (vehicle mounted state). For example, when mounted on a front portion (front) of a vehicle, the front is a front direction (front side), and the rear is a back direction (back side). When mounted on the rear portion (rear) of the vehicle, the rear is the front direction (front side), and the front is the back direction (back side). When mounted on the side portion (side) of the vehicle, the outside of the vehicle is the front direction (front side), and the inside of the vehicle is the back direction (back side).

[0011] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an example of a rear portion of a vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 2, a traveling device 3, and vehicle lamps 100. The vehicle body 2 has a driver's cab in which the driver sits. The vehicle body 2 is supported by the traveling device 3. The traveling device 3 includes wheels on which tires 4 are mounted, a steering device for changing the traveling direction of the vehicle 1, and a brake device for slowing down or stopping the traveling device 3. The vehicle 1 includes a door for getting on an off provided at side portions of the vehicle body 2 and a back door 7 provided at a rear portion of the vehicle body 2. The getting-on / off doors and the back door 7 are each movably supported by the vehicle body 2 via a hinge mechanism.

[0012] In the present embodiment, the vehicle lamps 100 are provided on the left side and the right side of the rear portion of the vehicle body 2. In the present embodiment, the vehicle lamp 100 is provided at the rear portion of the vehicle body 2. Therefore, the rear side in the front-rear direction will be described as the front side of the vehicle lamp 100, and the front side in the front-rear direction will be described as the back side of the vehicle lamp 100.

[0013] The vehicle lamp 100 includes a functional lamp. Examples of functional lamps include: tail lamps that are provided on the rear portion of the vehicle body 2 and light up in conjunction with the lighting of headlights; stop lamps that are provided on the rear portion of the vehicle body 2 and light up in conjunction with the operation of the brake device; and a rear turn signal lamp that is provided on the rear portion of the vehicle body 2 and lights up to indicate, to the surroundings, a direction in which the vehicle 1 is traveling.

[0014] The vehicle lamps 100 are disposed on the vehicle body 2 side, for example. In the present embodiment, the vehicle body 2 is a fixing portion. The back door 7 is a movable portion. The structure of the vehicle lamp 100 provided on the left side of the rear portion of the vehicle body 2 and the structure of the vehicle lamp 100 provided on the right side of the rear portion of the vehicle body 2 are symmetrical in the left-right direction and have substantially the same structure. Hereinafter, the vehicle lamp 100 provided on the right side of the rear portion of the vehicle body 2 will be mainly described, and the description of the vehicle lamp 100 provided on the left side of the rear portion of the vehicle body 2 will be simplified or omitted.

[0015] FIGS. 2 to 7 are views illustrating an example of the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of the vehicle lamp 100. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a part of the vehicle lamp 100. FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating an example of the vehicle lamp 100. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration along an A-A cross section in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration along a B-B cross section in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration along a C-C cross section in FIG. 4.

[0016] The vehicle lamp 100 includes a light source 10, a light guide 20, an inner lens 30, a reflector 40, a lens panel 50, an inner panel 60, an inner housing 70, an outer lens 80, and an outer housing 90. In the present embodiment, the light source 10, the light guide 20, and the inner lens 30 constitute a light source unit U.

[0017] As the light source 10, for example, a semiconductor light source such as an LED, a laser light source, or the like is used. The light source 10 has a light emitting surface 11 that emits light. The light source 10 is supported on a circuit board (not illustrated). The circuit board is supported by a heat dissipation member (not illustrated) or the like.

[0018] The light guide 20 has a rod shape. The light guide 20 extends in a curved manner toward the back side, for example, from the vehicle inner side to the vehicle outer side, so as to follow the slanted shape of the vehicle lamp 100. In the present embodiment, the light guide 20 is disposed on the front side with respect to the light source 10.

[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the light guide 20 has a light entrance surface 21, a light guide portion 22, and a light emission portion 23. The light entrance surface 21 is disposed at one end of the light guide 20 in the longitudinal direction and faces the light emitting surface 11 of the light source 10. Light from the light source 10 is incident on the light entrance surface 21. In the light guide 20, the light entrance surface 21 is disposed, for example, at an end portion on the outer rear side of the vehicle. With this shape, light from the light source 10 can be appropriately guided inside the vehicle lamp 100 having a slant shape.

[0020] The light guide portion 22 is a portion extending from the light entrance surface 21 toward the front side. The light guide portion 22 guides light incident from the light entrance surface 21.

[0021] The light emission portion 23 is a portion extending from the light guide portion 22 toward the vehicle inner side. The light emission portion 23 is formed up to the other end side of the light guide 20 in the longitudinal direction. The light emission portion 23 guides light from the light source 10 and emits the light from a side surface 23a thereof toward the inner lens 30. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the inner lens 30 is disposed below the light guide 20. Therefore, the light emission portion 23 emits light downward from the lower portion of the side surface 23a. A prism portion 23b is provided on the side surface 23a opposite to the inner lens 30, that is, on the upper portion. The prism portion 23b reflects the light incident on the light entrance surface 21 and internally reflected by the side surface 23a toward the emission direction, that is, downward where the inner lens 30 is disposed. The light reflected by the prism portion 23b is emitted downward from the side surface 23a of the light guide 20 toward the inner lens 30.

[0022] The inner lens 30 guides the light emitted from the light guide 20 and emits the light at least in the front direction in the vehicle mounted state. The inner lens 30 is disposed below the light guide 20, for example. It is formed to emit light in the front direction from a strip-shaped region extending in the left-right direction. The inner lens 30 can be configured, for example, such that rod-shaped portions 31 extending in the up-down direction are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction, and adjacent rod-shaped portions 31 are connected by plate-shaped portions 32. The inner lens 30 has the rod-shaped portions 31 and the plate-shaped portions 32, each of whose upper ends serves as light entrance surfaces 31a and 32a. The light entrance surfaces 31a and 32a are arranged with a gap in the up-down direction with respect to the light guide 20. The light emitted from the light guide 20 enters the rod-shaped portions 31 and the plate-shaped portions 32 from the light entrance surfaces 31a and 32a. Prism portions 31p and 32p are formed on the rear side of the rod-shaped portions 31 and the plate-shaped portions 32. The prism portions 31p and 32p internally reflect light traveling inside the inner lens 30 in the front direction. The light exit surfaces 31b and 32b are provided on the front side of the rod-shaped portions 31 and the plate-shaped portions 32. The light exit surfaces 31b and 32b emit the light that has been internally reflected by the prism portions 31p and 32p toward the front side (vehicle rear side). The configuration of the inner lens 30 is not limited to the above configuration.

[0023] The reflector 40 is disposed above the light guide 20. The reflector 40 has a reflective surface 41 disposed to protrude forward from the inner lens 30 (see FIGS. 5 and 6, etc.). The reflective surface 41 is disposed along the horizontal plane and directed downward. The reflector 40 reflects light directed upward from the inner lens 30.

[0024] The lens panel 50 is disposed on the front side of the inner lens 30. FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the lens panel 50 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a view illustrating examples of a shape of the light reflection pattern provided in the lens panel 50 according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views illustrating examples of the outer shape of the lens panel 50 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a view as viewed from the front side, and FIG. 11 is a view as viewed from the rear side. FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a state in which a light-transmitting pattern 55, which will be described later, is not formed.

[0025] The lens panel 50 includes concave lens portions (lens portions) 51, convex lens portions (lens portions) 52, standing wall portions 53, and the light-transmitting pattern 55.

[0026] Each of the concave lens portions 51 has a shape recessed toward the back side. Each of the concave lens portions 51 is formed in a plate shape using a light-transmitting material, and has a curved shape recessed toward the back side from the upper end and the lower end to the center in the up-down direction. Each of the concave lens portions 51 has a light entrance surface 51a and a light exit surface 51b. The light entrance surfaces 51a are disposed on the back side, and light emitted from the inner lens 30 enters the light entrance surfaces. The light exit surfaces 51b are disposed on the front side, and emit the light that has entered through the light entrance surfaces 51a.

[0027] Each of the convex lens portions 52 has a shape that protrudes toward the front side. Each of the convex lens portions 52 is formed in a plate shape using a light-transmitting material, and has a curved shape that protrudes toward the front side from the upper and lower ends to the center in the up-down direction. Each of the convex lens portions 52 has a light entrance surface 52a and a light exit surface 52b. The light entrance surfaces 52a are disposed on the back side, and light emitted from the inner lens 30 enters the light entrance surfaces 52a. The light exit surfaces 52b are disposed on the front side, and emit the light that has entered through the light entrance surfaces 52a.

[0028] Each of the standing wall portions 53 is formed to connect the concave lens portion 51 and convex lens portion 52 that are adjacent to each other. The standing wall portions 53 are formed so as to intersect the left-right direction and extend along the front-rear direction. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the standing wall portions 53 are formed to widen in the left-right direction from the concave lens portion 51 toward the convex lens portion 52 side. The standing wall portion 53 has a light diffusing portion such as an embossed surface formed on a back-side surface 53a.

[0029] The light-transmitting pattern 55 is formed on the front-side surface of the lens panel 50. FIG. 8 also illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of the structure of the light-transmitting pattern 55. The light-transmitting pattern 55 includes a light-reflective layer 55a, a coating layer 55b, and openings 55c and 55d.

[0030] The light-reflective layer 55a is formed on the entire front side of a transparent member 50R (see FIG. 10) constituting the lens panel 50, that is, formed on a portion extending from the light exit surfaces 51b of the concave lens portions 51, the light exit surfaces 52b of the convex lens portions 52, the front surfaces 53b of the standing wall portions 53, front surface portions 61a and lower surface portions 61b of an upper portion 61 of the inner panel 60, and front surface portions 62a and upper surface portions 62b of a lower portion 62. The light-reflective layer 55a is formed using a material capable of reflecting light, such as a metal material like aluminum. The light-reflective layer 55a may alternatively be formed using a resin material capable of reflecting light, such as white resin.

[0031] The coating layer 55b is formed over the entire surface of the light-reflective layer 55a. The coating layer 55b is formed using a material of a predetermined color, such as black resin. The coating layer 55b can be formed, for example, in a state having gloss on its surface.

[0032] The openings 55c are formed in a portion of the light-reflective layer 55a and the coating layer 55b that are located on the light exit surface 51b of the concave lens portion 51. The openings 55d are formed in a portion of the light-reflective layer 55a and the coating layer 55b that are located on the light exit surface 52b of the convex lens portion 52. The openings 55c and 55d are formed through the light-reflective layer 55a and the coating layer 55b. The openings 55c and 55d are portions that expose the light exit surfaces 51b and 52b from the light-reflective layer 55a and the coating layer 55b. The openings 55c and 55d are portions through which the light emitted from the light exit surfaces 51b and 52b passes.

[0033] The openings 55c and 55d are formed by, for example, applying a laser beam to the portion where the light-reflective layer 55a and the coating layer 55b are laminated from the coating layer 55b side, that is, by performing a so-called laser etching process. In this case, the exposed portions of the light exit surfaces 51b and 52b which are exposed at the openings 55c and 55d may be formed to have rough surfaces or to be recessed toward the back side relative to other portions of the light exit surfaces 51b and 52b, for example, during a laser etching process.

[0034] The openings 55c are each formed in a strip shape extending in the left-right direction. The openings 55c are each formed so that the dimension (width) thereof in the up-down direction is constant in the left-right direction. The plurality of openings 55c are arranged in the up-down direction. The light exit surface 51b of the concave lens portion 51 is formed to be recessed toward the back side from the upper and lower ends toward the center in the up-down direction. Correspondingly, the openings 55c are formed so as to gradually increase in an opening area per unit area, from the center in the up-down direction toward both the upper and lower end sides in the up-down direction. In other words, the openings 55c formed at the upper and lower sides in the up-down direction are formed to have a larger opening area than the openings 55c formed at the central portion in the up-down direction. As a result, the light-transmitting pattern 55 is formed such that, on the light exit surface 51b of the concave lens portion 51, the both end portions in the up-down direction located on the front side transmit a greater amount of light per unit area than the central portion in the up-down direction located on the back side. Therefore, when the light-emitting state is viewed from the front side, it appears three-dimensional in such a manner that, in the up-down direction, the both end portions of the emitted light are on the near side and the central portion is on the far side, gradually.

[0035] The openings 55d are formed to extend in the up-down direction. The plurality of the openings 55d are arranged in the left-right direction. In this manner, the orientations of the openings 55c formed in the light-transmitting pattern 55 disposed on the concave lens portion 51 differ from the orientations of the openings 55d formed in the light-transmitting pattern 55 disposed on the convex lens portion 52, that is, the openings 55c and the openings 55d are arranged with a 90° offset.

[0036] The light exit surface 52b of the convex lens portion 52 is formed to protrude toward the front side from the upper and lower ends toward the center in the up-down direction. Correspondingly, the openings 55d are formed so as to gradually increase in an opening area per unit area, from the upper and lower ends in the up-down direction toward the center in the up-down direction. In other words, each of the openings 55d is formed such that the dimension (width) in the left-right direction becomes smaller (thinner) from the center in the up-down direction toward the upper and lower ends in the up-down direction. Accordingly, each of the openings 55d is formed such that the opening area increases from the upper and lower ends to the center in the up-down direction. As a result, the light-transmitting pattern 55 is formed such that, on the light exit surfaces 52b of the convex lens portions 52, the central portion in the up-down direction located on the front side transmit a greater amount of light per unit area than the upper and lower portions in the up-down direction located on the back side. Therefore, when the light-emitting state is viewed from the front side, it appears three-dimensional in such a manner that, in the up-down direction, the central portion of the emitted light is on the near side and both end portions are on the far side, gradually.

[0037] The shape illustrated in FIG. 9(A) is a shape in which each opening extends in one direction, and the dimension in the width direction increases from both ends in the longitudinal direction toward the center. In other words, it is a shape in which the dimension in the width direction becomes thinner from the center in the longitudinal direction toward both ends. This shape is applied, for example, to the opening 55d of the light-transmitting pattern 55 described above.

[0038] The shape illustrated in FIG. 9(B) is a shape in which each opening extends in one direction, and the dimension in the width direction is uniform from both ends in the longitudinal direction toward the center. This shape is applied, for example, to the opening 55c of the light-transmitting pattern 55 described above.

[0039] The shape illustrated in FIG. 9(C) is a shape in which circular openings are arranged in a staggered pattern so as to be shifted in the left-right direction by a radius. The shape of the openings illustrated in FIG. 9(C) may be applied to at least one of the openings 55c and 55d of the light-transmitting pattern 55 described above.

[0040] In addition, in the standing wall portion 53, the surface of the coating layer 55b serves as a surface 53c of the standing wall portion 53. The surface 53c of the standing wall portion 53 serves as a reflective surface 58 that reflects the light emitted from the light exit surface 51b of the concave lens portion 51 and transmitted through the openings 55c toward the front side of the vehicle. In a case where the light transmitted through the openings 55c is reflected by the surface 53c (reflective surface 58) of the standing wall portion 53, an image of the openings 55c is visible on the surface 53c when viewed from the front side. The light-transmitting pattern 55 may have an opening formed in a portion disposed on the standing wall portion 53.

[0041] The surface 53c of the standing wall portion 53 is disposed at a position on an extension of the openings 55c. In this configuration, in a case where the light transmitted through the openings 55c is reflected by the surface 53c of the standing wall portion 53, the image of the openings 55c is reflected on the surface 53c of the standing wall portion 53, making it appear as if the image of the opening 55c is connected to the surface 53c. Of the standing wall portions 53 disposed at the both end portions of the concave lens portion 51 in the left-right direction, the surface 53c of the standing wall portion 53 disposed close to the vehicle inside may be formed to have a higher light reflectance than other portions. With this configuration, when viewed from the outside of the vehicle, the image of the openings 55c appearing on the surface 53c of the standing wall portion 53 close to the vehicle inside can be more clearly viewed.

[0042] Furthermore, in the lens panel 50, a light diffusing portion 59 is formed on the entire surface on the back side of the transparent member 50R (see FIG. 11) that constitutes the lens panel 50. Examples of the light diffusing portion 59 include, for example, an embossed surface or the like. As the light diffusing portion 59, for example, a light-diffusing member or the like may be arranged. The light diffusing portion 59 may also be selectively formed on, for example, the light entrance surface 51a of the concave lens portion 51, the light entrance surface 52a of the convex lens portion 52, the back-side surface 53a of the standing wall portion 53, or the like.

[0043] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the inner panel 60 supports the lens panel 50. The inner panel 60 is formed integrally with the lens panel 50. The inner panel 60 has the upper portion 61 and the lower portion 62.

[0044] The upper portion 61 supports the upper end portions of the concave lens portions 51 and the convex lens portions 52. The upper portion 61 has the front surface portions 61a and the lower surface portions 61b. The front surface portions 61a are disposed on the front side of the upper portion 61. The lower surface portions 61b are disposed at the lower end portion of the upper portion 61. The lower surface portions 61b are arranged to protrude forward from the upper ends of the light exit surfaces 51b and 52b. The lower surface portions 61b are formed to incline upward toward the front side from the upper ends of the light exit surfaces 51b and 52b.

[0045] The lower portion 62 supports the lower end portions of the concave lens portion 51 and the convex lens portion 52. The lower portion 62 has the front surface portion 62a and the upper surface portion 62b. The front surface portion 62a is disposed on the front side of the lower portion 62. The upper surface portion 62b is disposed at the upper end portion of the lower portion 62. The upper surface portion 62b is arranged to protrude forward from the lower ends of the light exit surfaces 51b and 52b. The upper surface portion 62b is formed to incline downward toward the front side from the lower ends of the light exit surfaces 51b and 52b.

[0046] In the upper portion 61 of the inner panel 60, the lower surface portions 61b serve as the reflective surface 58 that reflects, to the front side of the vehicle, the light emitted from the light exit surfaces 51b and 52b and transmitted through the openings 55c and 55d. Similarly, in the lower portion 62 of the inner panel 60, the upper surface portions 62b serve as the reflective surface 58 that reflects, to the front side of the vehicle, the light emitted from the light exit surfaces 51b and 52b and transmitted through the openings 55c and 55d.

[0047] In a case where the light transmitted through the openings 55c and 55d is reflected by the lower surface portions 61b and the upper surface portions 62b, the images of the openings 55c and 55d are visible on the lower surface portions 61b and the upper surface portions 62b when viewed from the front side.

[0048] Of the lower surface portions 61b and the upper surface portions 62b, convex-side regions 61c and 62c disposed at the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the convex lens portion 52 are located in the direction in which the openings 55d of the light-transmitting pattern 55 formed on the convex lens portions 52 extend, that is, on the extension of the openings 55d. In this case, when viewed from the front side, the image of the openings 55d can be visibly recognized as if it is connected to the convex-side regions 61c and 62c. The convex-side regions 61c and 62c may be formed to have higher light reflectance than other portions of the lower surface portions 61b and the upper surface portions 62b. With this configuration, the image of the openings 55d appearing on the convex-side regions 61c and 62c can be visually recognized more clearly.

[0049] The inner housing 70 supports the light source 10, the light guide 20, the inner lens 30, the reflector 40, the lens panel 50, and the inner panel 60 described above.

[0050] The outer lens 80 is disposed on the front side, that is, the rear of the lens panel 50. The outer lens 80 emits light emitted from the lens panel 50 to the outside of the vehicle lamp 100. The outer lens 80 has a plate shape. The outer lens 80 has a shape curved toward the back side from the vehicle inner side to the vehicle outer side. The outer lens 80 is formed using, for example, a resin material having a color similar to a transparent or lighting color.

[0051] The outer housing 90 forms a lamp chamber with the outer lens 80. The light source 10, the light guide 20, the inner lens 30, the reflector 40, the lens panel 50, the inner panel 60, and the inner housing 70 described above are stored or supported in the lamp chamber.

[0052] An example of lighting the vehicle lamp 100 configured as described above will be described. In a case where a predetermined operation for turning on the tail lamp is performed by the driver, the vehicle lamp 100 acquires an operation signal from the operation device. A control circuit provided on a substrate or the like of the light source 10 controls light-emission of the light source 10 in accordance with the acquired signal.

[0053] This light-emission control causes light to be emitted from the light emitting surface 11 of the light source 10. This light enters the light guide 20 from the light entrance surface 21 into the light guide portion 22. The light entering the light guide portion 22 is guided by the light guide portion 22 to enter the light emission portion 23, is internally reflected by the prism portion 23b, and is emitted downward from the side surface 23a.

[0054] The light emitted downward from the side surface 23a of the light emission portion 23 enters the inner lens 30 from the end surfaces 31a and 32a. The light incident on the inner lens 30 is internally reflected by the prism portions 31p and 32p and is emitted toward the front side of the inner lens 30. The light emitted toward the front side of the inner lens 30 reaches the lens panel 50 and enters from the light entrance surfaces 51a of the concave lens portions 51 and the light entrance surfaces 52a of the convex lens portions 52.

[0055] As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, a portion of light incident on the light entrance surface 51a (hereinafter referred to as light L1) reaches the light exit surface 51b, passes through the openings 55c, and is emitted to the front side. The light L1 that has passed through the openings 55c passes through the outer lens 80 and is emitted toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0056] As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, a portion of the light incident on the light entrance surface 52b (hereinafter referred to as light L2) reaches the light exit surface 52b, passes through the openings 55d, and is emitted to the front side. The light L2 that has passed through the openings 55d passes through the outer lens 80 and is emitted toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0057] As illustrated in FIG. 8, a portion of the light incident on the light entrance surface 51 or the light entrance surface 52b (hereinafter referred to as light L3) reaches the light exit surface 51b or the light exit surface 52b and is reflected to the back side by the light-reflective layer 55a. The reflected light L3 is reflected by various portions and travels again toward the front side, thereby being reused.

[0058] As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, a portion of the light incident on the light entrance surface 51a (hereinafter referred to as light L4) reaches the light exit surface 51b, passes through the openings 55c, and is emitted to the front side. The light L4 that has passed through the openings 55c is reflected to the front side by the surface 53b of the standing wall portion 53 and reaches the outer lens 80. This light L4 passes through the outer lens 80 and is emitted toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0059] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, a portion of the light incident on the light entrance surface 52a (hereinafter referred to as light L5) reaches the light exit surface 52b, passes through the openings 55d, and is emitted to the front side. The light L5 that has passed through the openings 55d is reflected to the front side by the lower surface portion 61b or the upper surface portion 62b of the inner panel 60 and reaches the outer lens 80. This light L5 passes through the outer lens 80 and is emitted toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0060] As described above, the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment includes: the light source unit U having the light source 10 and emits light from the light source 10 toward a front side; the lens panel 50 disposed on the front side of the light source unit U, having a lens portion including the concave lens portion 51 recessed toward a back side and the convex lens portion 52 protruding toward a front side, and emitting light from the light source unit U toward the front side from the light exit surfaces 51b and 52b of the lens portions (51, 52); and the outer lens 80 disposed on the front side of the lens panel 50 and emitting light emitted from the lens panel 50 toward the front side. The light-transmitting pattern 55 having the openings 55c and 55d that are shaped to correspond to the shapes of the lens portions (51, 52) is formed on a front-side surface of the lens panel 50.

[0061] According to this configuration, since the lens panel 50 has lens portions including the concave lens portion 51 and the convex lens portion 52, and the light-transmitting pattern 55 having the openings 55c and 55d shaped to correspond to the shapes of the lens portions (51, 52) is formed on the front-side surface, a three-dimensional light-emitting state with a sense of depth can be achieved when viewed from the front side.

[0062] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, the light-transmitting pattern 55 is formed such that, in the lens portions (51, 52), the portion located on the front side transmits a greater amount of light per unit area than the portion located on the back side.

[0063] According to this configuration, since the light emission state can be such that the amount of transmitted light decreases from the front side (near side) to the back side (far side) when viewed from the front, a three-dimensional light-emitting state with a sense of depth can be achieved.

[0064] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, the light-transmitting pattern 55 has a laminated portion formed of the light-reflective layer 55a disposed on the front-side surface of the lens portions (51, 52) and the coating layer 55b laminated on the light-reflective layer 55a, and the openings 55c and 55d are formed through the light-reflective layer 55a and the coating layer 55b.

[0065] According to this configuration, since the light-reflective layer 55a is formed on the front-side surface of the lens portions (51, 52), light that does not pass through the openings 55c and 55d can be returned to the back side and reused. Further, since the coating layer 55b is laminated on the light-reflective layer 55a, the light-reflective layer 55a can be hidden when viewed from the front side.

[0066] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, the lens panel 50 has the light diffusing portion 59 on the light entrance surfaces of the lens portions (51, 52).

[0067] According to this configuration, since the lens panel 50 is provided with the light diffusing portion 59 on the light entrance surfaces of the lens portions, the light incident on the lens panel 50 can be diffused and emitted from the light exit surfaces 51b and 52b and the openings 55c and 55d. Thus, uniform light can be emitted toward the outer lens 80.

[0068] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, the lens panel 50 has, around the lens portions (51, 52), a reflective surface 58 that reflects light emitted from the light exit surfaces 51b and 52b toward the front side of the vehicle.

[0069] According to this configuration, since the reflective surface 58 is provided around the lens portions (51, 52), light reflected by the reflective surface 58 can be visually recognized by an observer when viewed from the front side in the light-emitting state.

[0070] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, the concave lens portion 51 and the convex lens portion 52 of the lens panel 50 are alternately arranged in at least one of a left-right direction or an up-down direction in a vehicle mounted state, and the lens panel has the standing wall portions 53 connecting the concave lens portions 51 and the convex lens portions 52 that are adjacent to each other, and the reflective surface 58 is formed on the surface 53b of the standing wall portion 53.

[0071] According to this configuration, in the light-emitting state, light reflected by the surface 53b of the standing wall portion 53 can be visually recognized by an observer.

[0072] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, the standing wall portion 53 disposed on the vehicle inner side with respect to the concave lens portion 51 has the surface 53b formed to have a higher light reflectance than other portions.

[0073] According to this configuration, in the light-emitting state, the image of the opening 55c reflected on the surface 53c of the standing wall portion 53 can be visibly recognized more clearly by an observer viewing from the vehicle outer side.

[0074] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, the inner panel 60 disposed on the front side of the lens portions (51, 52) and supporting the lens panel 50 is further provided, and the reflective surface 58 is formed on the surfaces (lower surface portion 61b and upper surface portion 62b) of the inner panel 60 close to the lens portions (51, 52).

[0075] According to this configuration, the light reflected by the surfaces (lower surface portion 61b, upper surface portion 62b) of the inner panel 60 close to the lens portions (51, 52) can be visibly recognized by an observer.

[0076] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, the light-transmitting pattern 55 is formed such that the light-transmitting openings 55c and 55d extend in one direction, and the reflective surface 58 is disposed at a position on an extension of the openings 55c and 55d.

[0077] According to this configuration, in the light-emitting state, in a case where the light passing through the openings 55c and 55d is reflected by the reflective surface 58, the images of the openings 55c and 55d are reflected on the reflective surface 58, so that the images of the openings 55c and 55d can be visually recognized as if it is connected to the reflective surface 58.

[0078] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, a portion of the reflective surface 58 located at a position on an extension of the openings 55c and 55d is formed to have a higher light reflectance than other portions.

[0079] According to this configuration, in the portion of the reflective surface 58 located at a position on an extension of the openings 55c and 55d, the images of the openings 55c and 55d reflected on the reflective surface 58 can be made more clearly visible.

[0080] FIGS. 12 to 16 are perspective views illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the vehicle lamp. FIGS. 12 to 16 illustrate a state of the vehicle lamp as viewed from the front side.

[0081] The vehicle lamp 100 illustrated in FIG. 12 has the configuration described above. That is, in the vehicle lamp 100, the concave lens portions 51 and the convex lens portions 52 are alternately arranged in the left-right direction, and the light-transmitting pattern 55 is configured such that openings 55c are provided on the light exit surfaces 51b of the concave lens portions 51 and the openings 55d are provided on the light exit surfaces 52b of the convex lens portions 52.

[0082] A vehicle lamp 100A illustrated in FIG. 13 has a configuration in which the concave lens portions 51 and the convex lens portions 52 are alternately arranged not only in the left-right direction but also in the up-down direction. In this way, the arrangement of the concave lens portions 51 and the convex lens portions 52 is not limited to the configuration described above.

[0083] A vehicle lamp 100B illustrated in FIG. 14 has a configuration in which a lens panel 50B forms portions (convex lens portions) protruding toward the front side and portions (concave lens portions) recessed toward the back side by combining triangular light exit surfaces 54B. In this way, it may be configured such that one concave lens portion and one convex lens portion are formed by a plurality of light exit surfaces. The shape of the light exit surface is not limited to a triangular shape and may be any other type of polygon, such as a quadrilateral.

[0084] A vehicle lamp 100C illustrated in FIG. 15 has a configuration in which concave lens portions 51C are formed in a groove shape relative to convex lens portions 52C. In the vehicle lamp 100C, light is emitted through the entire light exit surfaces of the convex lens portions 52C, and light is blocked from passing through the entire light exit surfaces of the concave lens portions 51C. Furthermore, the convex lens portion 52C disposed on the lower side in the up-down directions are configured to emit light also from their lower surfaces disposed below the light exit surfaces.

[0085] A vehicle lamp 100D illustrated in FIG. 16 has a configuration in which, similar to the vehicle lamp 100C illustrated in FIG. 15, concave lens portions 51D are formed in a groove shape relative to convex lens portions 52D. In the vehicle lamp 100D, the area of the light exit surface per one convex lens portion 52D is smaller than that in the vehicle lamp 100C. In this configuration, light is emitted through the entire surfaces of the convex lens portions 52D, and light is blocked from passing through the entire light exit surfaces of the concave lens portions 51C.

[0086] As illustrated in the vehicle lamps 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D described above, by combining the concave lens portions and the convex lens portions and providing a light-transmitting pattern having openings shaped to correspond to the shapes of the respective lens portions, it is possible to achieve a three-dimensional light-emitting state with a sense of depth.

[0087] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made as long as they do not depart from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the light source unit U is described as having the light source 10, the light guide 20, and the inner lens 30, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, at least one of the light guide 20 and the inner lens 30 may not be provided.EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0088] L1, L2, L3, L4, L5 LIGHT U LIGHT SOURCE UNIT 1 VEHICLE 2 VEHICLE BODY 3 TRAVELING DEVICE 4 TIRE 7 BACK DOOR 10 LIGHT SOURCE 11 LIGHT EMITTING SURFACE 20 LIGHT GUIDE 21, 31a, 32a, 51a, 52a LIGHT ENTRANCE SURFACE 22 LIGHT GUIDE PORTION 23 LIGHT EMISSION PORTION 23a SIDE SURFACE 23b, 31p, 32p PRISM PORTION 30 INNER LENS 31 ROD-SHAPED PORTION 31b, 32b, 51b, 52b, 54B LIGHT EXIT SURFACE 32 PLATE-SHAPED PORTION 40 REFLECTOR 41, 58 REFLECTIVE SURFACE 50, 50B LENS PANEL 50R TRANSPARENT MEMBER 51, 51C, 51D CONCAVE LENS PORTION 52, 52C, 52D CONVEX LENS PORTION 53 STANDING WALL PORTION 53a, 53b, 53c SURFACE 55 LIGHT-TRANSMITTING PATTERN 55a LIGHT-REFLECTIVE LAYER 55b COATING LAYER 55c, 55d OPENING 59 LIGHT DIFFUSING PORTION 60 INNER PANEL 61 UPPER PORTION 61a, 62a FRONT SURFACE PORTION 61b LOWER SURFACE PORTION 61c, 62c CONVEX-SIDE REGION 62 LOWER PORTION 62b UPPER SURFACE PORTION 70 INNER HOUSING 80 OUTER LENS 90 OUTER HOUSING 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D VEHICLE LAMP

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp comprising: a light source unit having a light source and emitting light from the light source toward a front side; a lens panel disposed on the front side of the light source unit, having a lens portion including a concave lens portion recessed toward a back side and a convex lens portion protruding toward a front side, and emitting light from the light source unit toward the front side from a light exit surface of the lens portion; and an outer lens disposed on the front side of the lens panel and emitting light emitted from the lens panel toward the front side, wherein a light-transmitting pattern having an opening that is shaped to correspond to a shape of the lens portion is formed on a front-side surface of the lens panel.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting pattern is formed so that, in the lens portion, a portion located on the front side transmits a greater amount of light per unit area than a portion located on the back side.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting pattern has a laminated portion formed of a light-reflective layer disposed on a front surface of the lens portion and a coating layer laminated on the light-reflective layer, and the opening is formed through the light-reflective layer and the coating layer.

4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3, wherein the lens panel has a light diffusing portion on a light entrance surface of the lens portion.

5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the lens panel has, around the lens portion, a reflective surface that reflects light emitted from the light exit surface toward a front side of a vehicle.

6. The vehicle lamp according to claim 5, wherein the concave lens portions and the convex lens portions of the lens panel are alternately arranged in at least one of a left-right direction or an up-down direction in a vehicle mounted state, and the lens panel has a standing wall portion connecting the concave lens portion and the convex lens portion that are adjacent to each other, and the reflective surface is formed on a surface of the standing wall portion.

7. The vehicle lamp according to claim 6, wherein the standing wall portion disposed on a vehicle inner side with respect to the concave lens portion has a surface formed to have a higher light reflectance than other portions.

8. The vehicle lamp according to claim 5, further comprising: an inner panel disposed on a front side of the lens portion and supporting the lens panel, wherein the reflective surface is formed on a surface of the inner panel close to the lens portion.

9. The vehicle lamp according to claim 5, wherein the light-transmitting pattern is formed such that openings through which light is transmitted extend in one direction, and the reflective surface is disposed at a position on an extension of the opening.

10. The vehicle lamp according to claim 8, wherein a portion of the reflective surface located at a position on an extension of the opening is formed to have a higher light reflectance than other portions.

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