Vehicle lamp

Abstract

To provide a vehicle lamp having excellent conspicuity during lighting and non-lighting.SOLUTION: A vehicle lamp comprises a lamp chamber S formed by a lamp body 10 and an outer lens 20. In the lamp chamber S, provided are a light source 42, and an inner lens 30 that is a light guide member containing a light diffusion material R and emits light by guiding light source light made incident into its edge part, where the inner lens 30 is laminated on the outer lens 20 of a narrow and elongated shape; a light incident part 32b for light source light incidence is formed on at least one of edge parts 31b, 31c in a transverse direction of the inner lens 30 facing rearward in the lamp chamber S; the light from the light source 42 made incident into the light incident part 32b is guided within a lens 30 and then is diffusely reflected by the light diffusion material R; and an entire region of the outer lens 20 on which the inner lens 30 is laminated emits light.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to vehicle lamps.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional vehicle lamp, there is a lamp that includes an inner lens formed of a light guide body provided with a reflection step on the back surface in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a transparent outer lens, and uses the inner lens as a light emitter to emit light by transmitting the light emitted from the inner lens through the outer lens (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In addition, instead of the inner lens provided with a reflection step, there is a lamp that constitutes the inner lens with a light guide body containing a light diffusing material and emits light by transmitting the light emitted from the inner lens through the outer lens (for example, Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, when the lamp is not lit, the reflection step of the inner lens can be seen through the outer lens as white, so the appearance (visibility) when not lit is poor.

[0006] In addition, in any of the lamps of Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the lamp is lit, the outer lens itself does not emit light, but the light emitted from the inner lens inside the outer lens can be seen through the outer lens. Therefore, compared with a lamp in which the outer lens itself emits light, the appearance (visibility) is poor.

[0007] Furthermore, because the light source is positioned so that light enters the edge of the inner lens which is positioned parallel to the outer lens, when the light fixture is turned on, the area of ​​the outer lens that is not stacked with the inner lens (the area where the light source is positioned) does not emit light, and the resulting smaller light-emitting area of ​​the outer lens makes it look less appealing (less visible).

[0008] This invention was proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle lighting device that has excellent appearance (visibility) both when illuminated and when not illuminated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To solve the above problems, a vehicle lighting device according to a certain aspect of the present invention is: A vehicle lamp comprising a lamp chamber formed by sealing the peripheral edge of a translucent outer lens at the opening peripheral edge of a container-shaped lamp body, wherein a light source and a translucent inner lens are arranged within the lamp chamber, the inner lens being illuminated by the light of the light source incident on a light-receiving portion formed at its edge, the light source being guided by a light-diffusing member, The inner lens is laminated on at least a portion of the outer lens, which has a narrow, elongated shape when viewed from the front, and a light-receiving portion for the light source is formed on at least one of the short-length edges of the inner lens facing the rear of the lamp chamber. The light from the light source incident on the light-receiving portion is guided within the lens, diffusely reflected by the light-diffusing material, and emitted as diffused light from the outer lens.

[0010] (Effect) In this embodiment, when the lamp is lit, the light guided within the inner lens of the light source incident on the light-receiving part is diffusely reflected by the light-diffusing material contained in the inner lens, and is emitted as diffused light from the surface of the outer lens laminated on the inner lens, causing the outer lens itself to emit light. Therefore, instead of the light emitted from the inner lens being seen through the outer lens, the light emitted from the outer lens laminated on the inner lens is seen, improving the visibility of the lamp when it is lit.

[0011] In particular, since the outer lens (inner lens) is formed in a narrow, elongated shape when viewed from the front, the light from the light source that enters the light-receiving portion formed at one edge of the inner lens in the short-length direction is easily guided within the lens to the other edge of the inner lens in the short-length direction, and the outer lens emits light from the side of the inner lens where the light-receiving portion is formed to the opposite side in the short-length direction.

[0012] When the light fixture is illuminated, the light emitted from the inner lens is not visible through the outer lens, but rather the light emitted from the entire area where the inner lens is stacked with the outer lens is directly visible. Furthermore, in a configuration where the light fixture (outer lens) is positioned horizontally (left to right) relative to the vehicle body, the upper part of the front, which is the design surface of the outer lens and is easily visible to drivers and pedestrians, emits particularly bright light, resulting in excellent visibility of the light fixture when illuminated, especially at a distance. For this reason, in a configuration where the light fixture (outer lens) is positioned horizontally (left to right) relative to the vehicle body, even if the inner lens is stacked only in the area corresponding to the upper part of the front, which is the design surface of the outer lens, the visibility of the light fixture when illuminated will not be compromised.

[0013] Furthermore, even without actively incorporating reflective steps into the inner lens, the outer lens itself emits light when the light fixture is illuminated. This eliminates the problem of the reflective steps of the inner lens appearing cloudy or white through the outer lens when the light fixture is not illuminated, ensuring a sense of depth within the light chamber through the outer lens and providing excellent visibility of the light fixture when it is not illuminated.

[0014] Furthermore, since the laminated outer lens and inner lens are configured as a single component that is tightly fitted together without gaps at the interface, the number of components in the lamp is reduced.

[0015] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, The region of the outer lens in which the inner lens is stacked is formed in a shape that is bent or curved and bulges forward. It is also preferable to form a light-receiving portion for the light source at the other edge of the inner lens in the shorter direction.

[0016] (Effect) Generally, the further you are from the light-receiving side of the inner lens, the weaker the light guide intensity within the inner lens becomes. This reduces the amount of diffused light (amount of light emitted from the outer lens) that is diffusely reflected by the light-diffusing material within the inner lens and emitted from the front surface of the outer lens. In particular, if a bent or curved region is formed in the outer lens (inner lens), the light guide path within the inner lens is longer, or due to light leakage in the bent or curved section, the light from the light source incident on the light-receiving side is not sufficiently guided to the end of the light guide path within the lens. As a result, the amount of light emitted from the outer lens corresponding to the side of the inner lens that is opposite to the light-receiving side is inferior to the amount of light emitted from the outer lens corresponding to the light-receiving side of the inner lens.

[0017] However, in this embodiment, the light from the light source also enters the light-receiving portion (second light-receiving portion) formed on the other edge of the inner lens in the short direction, so the intensity of light guidance on the other edge of the inner lens in the short direction increases, and the amount of light emitted from the outer lens corresponding to the other edge of the inner lens in the short direction is ensured. That is, the entire outer lens, which is bent or curved and bulges forward, emits light uniformly.

[0018] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, The region of the outer lens in which the inner lens is stacked is formed in a shape that is bent or curved and bulges forward. A first light source is placed in the upper part of the lamp chamber, and a second light source is placed in the lower part of the lamp chamber. A first light-receiving portion is formed at one of the edges of the inner lens in the shorter direction, into which the first light source light enters. It is also preferable to form a second light-receiving portion at the other edge of the inner lens in the shorter direction, into which the second light source light enters.

[0019] (Function) In this aspect, a first light source and a second light source are provided in the lamp chamber. The outer lens emits light by guiding the first light source light incident on a first light incident portion formed at one edge portion in the short side direction of the inner lens, and the outer lens also emits light by guiding the second light source light incident on a second light incident portion formed at the other edge portion in the short side direction of the inner lens. Therefore, the light emission amount of the outer lens is increased accordingly.

[0020] Also, in the above aspect, It is also preferable to arrange a second light guiding member in the lamp chamber for guiding the light source light to the light incident portion.

[0021] (Function) As the light source, for example, a configuration in which light emitting elements such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) are mounted and integrated in a row at equal intervals on a light source substrate. Since the light emission of the light emitting elements has directivity, the light source light (light of a plurality of light emitting elements) directly incident on the light incident portion of the inner lens and the respective light guiding in the inner lens are also affected by the directivity, and there is a possibility that light emission unevenness may occur on the outer lens.

[0022] However, in this aspect, the light source light with directivity (light emission of each of the plurality of light emitting elements) is guided by the second light guiding member to become light with the influence of directivity alleviated and is incident on the light incident portion of the inner lens. Therefore, the directivity of the light emitting elements does not manifest in the light guiding in the inner lens, and light emission unevenness does not occur on the outer lens.

[0023] Also, considering the incident efficiency of the light source light on the light incident portion of the inner lens, it is desirable to arrange the light source so as to face the light incident portion of the inner lens directly. However, even in a form where the light incident portion of the inner lens and the light source do not face each other directly, by using the second light guiding member, it is possible to make the light source light incident as if it faces the light incident portion of the inner lens directly.

[0024] For example, if a second light guide member is placed between a light source positioned downwards at the top of the lamp chamber and a light-receiving section formed on one of the short edges of the inner lens, a second light guide member can be placed to direct a portion of the light source light (downward-facing emission) into the light-receiving section of the inner lens. In other words, the degree of freedom in the orientation and position of the light source placed inside the lamp chamber is increased.

[0025] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, The light source is positioned above the lamp chamber, facing downwards. The region of the outer lens in which the inner lens is stacked is formed in a shape that is bent or curved and bulges forward. Light-receiving portions for the light source are formed at each of the short-length edges of the inner lens facing the rear of the lamp chamber. A second light guide member is placed between the light source and one edge of the inner lens in the short direction, to guide a portion of the light from the light source to the light-receiving portion (first light-receiving portion) formed on one edge of the inner lens. Below the light source within the lamp chamber, a reflector is arranged to guide a portion of the light from the light source to the entire back surface of the inner lens, including the light-receiving portion (second light-receiving portion) formed on the other edge of the inner lens, If necessary, it is also preferable to place a second inner lens in front of the reflector to diffuse the light that is reflected by the reflector and directed towards the entire back surface of the inner lens.

[0026] (Effect) In this embodiment, with only the light source positioned above the lamp chamber, the light emitted from the outer lens due to diffuse reflection by the light diffusing material through the light guide within the inner lens, which guides the light from the light source incident on the first and second light-receiving sections, and the light emitted from the outer lens when the reflected light (left and right diffused light) from the reflector of the light source passes through the inner and outer lenses, combine to cause the entire outer lens to emit light uniformly and brightly. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] According to the present invention, when the light is on, the area where the inner lens of the outer lens is stacked itself emits light, and a predetermined area of ​​the outer lens that is easily visible to drivers and pedestrians emits bright light. When the light is not on, the outer lens gives a sense of depth to the light chamber, thus improving the visibility of the light fixture when it is on and when it is not.

[0028] Furthermore, since the outer and inner lenses are made from a single component, the number of components in the light fixture is reduced, resulting in a simpler structure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0029] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a vehicle light fixture according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a vertical cross-sectional view of the light fixture (a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1). [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view of the same light fixture. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged perspective view showing the shape of the reflector's reflective surface. [Figure 5] This is a front view of a vehicle light fixture according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a vertical cross-sectional view of the light fixture (a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in Figure 5). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, based on preferred embodiments. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in each drawing will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the embodiments are illustrative and not limiting to the invention, and not all features or combinations thereof described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention.

[0031] Figures 1 to 4 show a vehicle lamp 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a front view of the lamp 100, Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lamp 100 (a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1), Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the lamp 100, and Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the shape of the reflective surface 51 of the reflector 50 arranged in the lamp chamber S.

[0032] The lamp 100 is, for example, a tail and stop lamp mounted on the rear of a vehicle. As shown in Figure 1, it is formed in a long, slender shape when viewed from the front, with its vertical dimension being smaller than its horizontal dimension. The lamp 100 is fixed to a recess formed in the rear panel 102 by fastening means 104 such as fastening screws and nuts (see Figure 2). Note that in Figure 1, the area approximately in the center in the horizontal direction of the lamp 100 is omitted from the illustration.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the luminaire 100 has a rectangular container-shaped lamp body 10 that is elongated to the left and right and opens to the front, and the periphery of the rectangular container-shaped outer lens 20 that is elongated to the left and right and opens to the rear is attached to the periphery of the opening, thereby forming a rectangular, horizontally elongated lamp chamber S when viewed from the front.

[0034] The outer lens 20 is formed in a narrow, elongated shape when viewed from the front, and a flange portion 22 is formed on its peripheral edge, with a sealing leg 24 extending to the rear. On the other hand, a flange portion 12 corresponding to the sealing leg 24 of the outer lens 20 is formed on the peripheral edge of the opening of the lamp body 10. The sealing leg 24 of the outer lens 20 is welded to the flange portion 12 of the lamp body 10, thereby sealing the mounting portion between the outer lens 20 and the lamp body 10.

[0035] Furthermore, the outer lens 20 has side walls 20b to 20e on the top, bottom, left, and right sides bent at approximately right angles to the front wall 20a, and the circumferentially adjacent side walls 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e on the top, bottom, left, and right sides are also bent at approximately right angles, forming a design surface 21 (see Figure 2) that bulges out in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape in front of the flange portion 22.

[0036] Furthermore, an inner lens 30 is laminated inside the forward bulging region of the outer lens 20 that forms the design surface 21, and the inner lens 30 is also formed in a narrow, elongated shape when viewed from the front, following the shape of the outer lens 20 (and its design surface 21).

[0037] More specifically, the outer lens 20 is made of red translucent acrylic resin, while the inner lens 30 is made of clear translucent polycarbonate resin containing titanium dioxide particles R, which are a light-diffusing material. The outer lens 20 and the inner lens 30 are formed as a single integrated part, for example, by injection molding. Alternatively, both lenses 20 and 30 may be integrated by adhesive bonding.

[0038] The light diffusing material R contained in the inner lens 30 is, for example, titanium dioxide particles with an average particle diameter of 170 to 450 nm, and the content of the light diffusing material R is, for example, 0.1 to 100 ppm by mass, and the visible light transmittance in the normal direction (thickness direction) in at least a portion of the surface side (the side in close contact with the outer lens 20) of the inner lens 30 with a plate thickness of 4 mm is, for example, 60% to 92%.

[0039] Furthermore, the haze value in the normal direction (thickness direction) of at least a portion of the surface side (the side in close contact with the outer lens 20) of the inner lens 30, which has a plate thickness of 4 mm, is, for example, 1.1 or more and 50% or less.

[0040] Furthermore, the inner lens 30 guides light from the light-receiving portions 32b and 32c formed on the edge portions 31b and 31c (described later) and diffusely reflects the light within the lens 30 through the diffusing material R. This diffusely reflected light then exits from the surface side of the inner lens 30 (the side in close contact with the outer lens 20), and the inner lens 30 itself has high light transmittance.

[0041] Furthermore, since the refractive index of acrylic resin is smaller than that of polycarbonate resin, light with a relatively small angle of incidence to the outer lens 20 from the light guided within the inner lens 20 is totally reflected at the interface between lenses 30 and 20. As a result, less light enters the outer lens 20 from the inner lens 30, and therefore, most of the light source incident on the light-receiving parts 32b and 32c of the inner lens 30 is guided within the inner lens 30 and diffusely reflected by the light-diffusing material R dispersed within the inner lens 30. Consequently, a larger amount of light is emitted as diffused light from the design surface 21 of the outer lens 20, and the amount of light emitted from the outer lens 20 increases.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the inner lens 30 is laminated and formed on the inside of the upper, lower, left, and right side walls 20b to 20e from the front wall 20a of the outer lens 20. As a result, the end edge 31 (see Figure 1) of the inner lens 30, which extends in a thin, string-like manner in the circumferential direction along the inner circumferential surface of the side walls 20b to 20e of the outer lens 20, is exposed on the inside of the flange portion 22 of the outer lens 20, facing the rear of the lamp chamber S.

[0043] Furthermore, when viewed from inside the lamp chamber S, the edge portion 31 of the inner lens 30 extends endlessly in the inner circumferential direction of the side walls 20b to 20e of the outer lens 20. When viewing the lamp 100 from the front, the first and second edge portions 31b and 31c of the inner lens 30 in the short direction (up and down direction in Figure 1), which are regions that extend parallel to the left and right directions, have first and second light-receiving portions 32b and 32c (regions indicated by the shaded lines in Figure 1) formed on them for the incidence of light from a light source.

[0044] Meanwhile, in the upper part of the lamp chamber S, a light source substrate 40 is arranged with light-emitting elements 42, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), facing downwards. The light source substrate 40 is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape with a length that is approximately consistent with the left-right width of the design surface 21 of the outer lens 20, and numerous white light-emitting elements 42 are arranged on the substrate 40 at equal intervals along its longitudinal direction.

[0045] Furthermore, a light guide member 60 is positioned between the light-emitting element 42 mounted on the light source substrate 40 in the upper part of the lamp chamber S and the first light-receiving portion 32b formed on the first edge portion 31b of the inner lens 30, guiding a portion of the light-emitting element 42's emitted light (emitted light) La to the first light-receiving portion 32b of the inner lens 30.

[0046] The light guide member 60 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate in cross-section, having a light-emitting surface 60b that matches the area of ​​the first light-receiving portion 32b formed on the edge portion 31b of the inner lens 30. The rear end of the light guide member 60 has an inclined incident surface 60a that faces the light-emitting element 42 and into which a portion of the light emitted by the light-emitting element 42, La, is incident, and the front end of the light guide member 60 has a light-emitting surface 60b that faces the first light-receiving portion 32b of the inner lens 30. A cylindrical step 61 (see Figure 3) is formed on the light-emitting surface 60b that diffuses the emitted light in the left-right direction.

[0047] Furthermore, a reflector 50 is positioned at the rear of the lamp chamber S, directly below the light source substrate 40, and has a reflective surface 51 that is approximately the same size as the inner lens 30, which reflects the downward-facing light emitted by the light-emitting element 42 forward.

[0048] As shown in Figure 4, the reflective surface 51 of the reflector 50 has a structure in which cylindrical step elements 51s, which are vertically elongated rectangular in front view and have a concave arc shape in vertical cross-section and a convex arc shape in horizontal cross-section, are formed continuously at equal intervals in the left-right direction. The distance d between adjacent light-emitting elements 42, 42, the width d of each step element 51s forming the reflective surface 51 of the reflector 50, and the left-right arrangement pitch d of the step elements 51s are all the same. For example, one light-emitting element 42 corresponds to one step element 51s.

[0049] As a result, the downward-emitting light from the light-emitting element 42 positioned at the top of the lamp chamber S is reflected by the reflective surface 51 of the reflector 50, and the light Lb, which is diffused in the left-right direction and parallel in the up-down direction, is directed towards the front of the lamp chamber S.

[0050] Furthermore, a second inner lens 70, which has a textured surface or micro-diffusion steps formed on its front side, is positioned in front of the reflector 50 within the lamp chamber S.

[0051] Then, most of the left-right diffused light reflected and formed by the reflector 50 passes through the second inner lens 70, becoming further diffused light Lb in the up, down, left, and right directions, and incident on the entire back side of the inner lens 30. Meanwhile, the left-right diffused light Lc reflected and formed near the front edge of the reflector 50 is incident on the second light-receiving portion 32c formed on the second edge portion 31c in the short direction of the inner lens 30.

[0052] The light source substrate 40, light guide member 60, reflector 50, and second inner lens 70 are integrated as a light source / reflector unit U on a bracket (not shown), holding them in a relative position, and are fixed to the lamp body 10 by fixing means (not shown), thereby being positioned in a predetermined location within the lamp chamber S.

[0053] Reference numeral 26 in Figure 2 indicates a light-shielding member assembled to the back side of the flange portion 22 of the outer lens 20 to prevent light leakage from the lamp chamber S. Alternatively, a light-shielding coating may be applied instead of the light-shielding member 26.

[0054] Furthermore, a colored layer 90 made of black polycarbonate resin is laminated onto the surface side of the flange portion 22. When the light is on, the emission of light from the flange portion 22 due to light guidance within the outer lens 20 is suppressed, and when the light is not on, the seal legs 24 are not visible, and the boundary between the design surface 21 of the outer lens 20 and the rear panel 102 that constitutes the vehicle body is clearly recognizable. Accordingly, the red translucent outer lens 30, the clear inner lens 20, and the colored layer 90 are integrated, for example, by three-color molding.

[0055] Furthermore, the lamp 100 functions as a tail and stop lamp by controlling the amount of power supplied to the light-emitting element 42 so that the brightness of the light emitted from the outer lens 20 changes. Specifically, when the amount of power supplied to the light-emitting element 42 is low, the outer lens 20 functions as a tail lamp that emits a weak, uniform light, and when the amount of power supplied to the light-emitting element 42 is high, the outer lens 20 functions as a stop lamp that emits a strong, bright light.

[0056] The operation and effects of the vehicle lighting device 100 according to this first embodiment will be described below.

[0057] A portion of the light emitted by the light-emitting element 42, which is positioned downwards in the upper part of the lamp chamber S, is incident on the first light-receiving portion 32b formed on the first edge portion 31b in the short direction of the inner lens 30 via the light-guiding member 60. The light guided within the inner lens 30 is diffusely reflected by the light-diffusing material R dispersed within the lens 30, and is emitted as diffused light from the surface of the outer lens 20 laminated on the inner lens 30, causing the outer lens 20 to emit light.

[0058] Furthermore, a portion of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 42 is reflected by the reflector 50 and incident on the second light-receiving portion 32c formed on the second edge portion 31c in the short direction of the inner lens 30. The light guided within the inner lens 30 is diffusely reflected by the light-diffusing material R dispersed within the lens 30, and is emitted as diffused light from the surface of the outer lens 20 laminated on the inner lens 30, causing the outer lens 20 to emit light.

[0059] Furthermore, a portion (most) of the light emitted by the light-emitting element 42 of the light source substrate 40 is reflected by the reflector 50, passes through the second inner lens 70, and then passes through the inner lens 30 and outer lens 20 before being emitted, at which point the outer lens 20 emits light.

[0060] The following explains this in detail. A portion of the light emitted by the light-emitting element 42 that enters the first light-receiving section 32b is guided from the upper wall 30b of the inner lens 30 to the front wall 30a and the lower wall 30c. However, there is a bend in the light-guiding path, and the intensity of the light guidance weakens at the front wall 30a and the lower wall 30c, where the light-guiding path from the light-receiving section 32b is longer.

[0061] Furthermore, some of the light emitted by the light-emitting element 42 that enters the second light-receiving section 32b is guided from the lower wall 30c of the inner lens 30 to the front wall 30a and the upper wall 30b. However, there is a bend in the path, and the intensity of the guided light weakens at the front wall 30a and the upper wall 30b, where the light guide path from the light-receiving section 32c is longer.

[0062] Similarly, for the left and right side walls 30d and 30e of the inner lens 30, a portion of the light emitted by the light-emitting element 42 incident on the first light-receiving section 32b and the second light-receiving section 32c, respectively, is guided from the upper wall 30b to the left and right side walls 30d and 30e, and from the lower wall 30c to the left and right side walls 30d and 30e, respectively. However, because there are bends in the light guide paths, the intensity of the light guided becomes weaker in the left and right side walls 30d and 30e. Note that the right side wall 30e of the inner lens 30 is not shown in the illustration.

[0063] Therefore, with only the light source incident on the first light-receiving section 32b and the second light-receiving section 32c, the intensity of light emission on the front wall 20a and the left and right side walls 20d and 20e of the outer lens 20 is somewhat weaker compared to the intensity of light emission on the upper wall 20b and the lower wall 20c of the outer lens 20.

[0064] However, in the luminaire 100, most of the downward-facing light emitted by the light-emitting element 42 positioned in the upper part of the luminaire S is reflected by the reflective surface 51 of the reflector 50, becoming diffused light to the left and right. Furthermore, by passing through the second inner lens 70, it becomes diffused light to the up, down, left, and right, and is guided to the entire inside area of ​​the inner lens 30, including the left and right side walls 30d and 30e of the inner lens 30, thereby compensating for the lack of light emission at the front wall 20a and the left and right side walls 20d and 20e of the outer lens 20.

[0065] In other words, in the light fixture 100, the light emitted from the outer lens 20 (first emission) is caused by the light guided within the lens 30 by the light source light incident on the first light-receiving portion 32b formed on the first edge portion 31b of the inner lens 30, the light emitted from the outer lens 20 (second emission) is caused by the light guided within the lens 30 by the light source light incident on the second light-receiving portion 32b formed on the second edge portion 31c of the inner lens 30, and most of the light source light is reflected by the reflector 50 and further transmitted through the second inner lens 70 to become diffused light in all directions. The light emitted from the outer lens 20 (third emission) is caused by the transmission of this diffused light in all directions through the inner lens 30 and outer lens 20, and these overlap, causing the entire design surface 21 of the outer lens 20 to emit light uniformly and brightly.

[0066] Furthermore, the vehicle lighting device 100 also provides the following effects and benefits.

[0067] A portion of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 42 is guided to the first light-receiving portion 32b of the inner lens 30 via the light-guiding member 60, thereby suppressing the occurrence of uneven light emission in the outer lens 20.

[0068] In other words, it is possible to directly direct a portion of the light emitted by the light-emitting element 42 into the first light-receiving portion 32b formed on the first edge portion 31b of the inner lens 30 without the interposition of the light-guiding member 60. However, because the light emitted by the light-emitting element 42 is directional, the light source light (light from multiple light-emitting elements 42) directly incident on the light-receiving portion 32b of the inner lens 30 and the respective light guides within the inner lens 30 are also affected by the directionality, which may cause uneven light emission in the outer lens 30.

[0069] However, in the luminaire 100, the directional light source (the light emitted from each of the multiple light-emitting elements 42) is guided by the light guide member 60, resulting in light with reduced directional influence that enters the light-receiving portion 32b of the inner lens 30. As a result, the directional properties of the light-emitting elements 42 do not become apparent in the light guided within the inner lens 30, and no unevenness in light emission occurs in the outer lens 20.

[0070] Furthermore, since the inner lens 30 does not have any reflective step elements, when the light is not illuminated, the sense of depth of the lamp chamber S becomes apparent through the design surface 21 of the outer lens 20, resulting in a good appearance.

[0071] Furthermore, when only a portion of the outer lens 20 is made to emit light strongly, or when a predetermined light distribution intensity is ensured on the side of the vehicle (for the viewing angle), a reflective step is formed at a predetermined position on the inner lens 30. However, since the area in which the reflective step is formed is small, there is no problem of the reflective step appearing white when the light is not on, nor is the sense of depth of the lamp chamber S obstructed.

[0072] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment described the lamp 100 as a tail and stop lamp, the lamp 100 can be used as a sequential lamp in which the flashing area of ​​the outer lens 20 moves in the left-right direction when lit, by controlling the on / off switching of power supply to each of the light-emitting elements 42 which are arranged at equal pitches in the left-right direction. Secondly, it can also be used as a so-called "welcome lamp" that is turned on when a user such as the driver or passenger of a vehicle approaches their parked vehicle or gets in or out of the vehicle.

[0073] Furthermore, if the outer lens 20 of the lamp 100 is made of clear resin, it can be used as a side marker light or daytime running lamp, and if the outer lens 20 is made of amber-colored resin, it can be used as a turn signal lamp.

[0074] Furthermore, even if an amber-colored light-emitting element 42 is used and the outer lens 20 is made of clear resin, it can still be used as a turn signal lamp.

[0075] Figures 5 and 6 show a vehicle lamp 100A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a front view of the lamp 100A, and Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lamp 100A (a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in Figure 5). Note that in Figure 5, the area approximately in the center in the left-right direction of the lamp 100A is omitted from the illustration.

[0076] In the lamp 100 according to the first embodiment described above, a bent portion with a small radius of curvature (large curvature) is formed in the forward bulging region (the region where the inner lens 30 is laminated on the inside) of the outer lens 20 that forms the design surface 21. Therefore, if only a portion of the light emitted by the light-emitting element 42 is incident on the light-receiving portions 32b and 32c formed on the short-length edges 31b and 31c of the inner lens 30, the amount of light guided to the front wall 30a and the left and right side walls 30d and 30e of the inner lens 30 is small, resulting in a small amount of light emitted on the front wall 20a and the left and right side walls 20d and 20e of the outer lens 20. To address this, the lamp 100 incorporates a reflector 50 placed inside the lamp chamber S that guides most of the light emitted by the light-emitting element 42 as diffused light to the entire back surface of the inner lens 30, thereby increasing the amount of light emitted on the front wall 20a and the left and right side walls 20d and 20e of the outer lens 20.

[0077] On the other hand, the luminaire 100A according to this second embodiment also has an outer lens 20A made of red translucent acrylic resin with a narrow, elongated shape when viewed from the front, and an inner lens 30A made of clear translucent polycarbonate resin containing titanium dioxide particles R, which are a light diffusing material, laminated onto it. The inner lens 30A is also formed in a narrow, elongated shape when viewed from the front, following the shape of the outer lens 20A when viewed from the front, which is common to the luminaire 100.

[0078] Furthermore, the visible light transmittance and haze value in the normal direction (thickness direction) of the inner lens 30A are the same as those of the inner lens 30 used in the first embodiment, and therefore, a redundant explanation is omitted.

[0079] However, in the luminaire 100A, the entire forward bulging region of the outer lens 20A that forms the design surface 21A (the front wall 20Aa of the outer lens with the inner lens 30A laminated on the inside) is formed as a smooth convex curved surface with relatively small curvature. Therefore, the interface between the outer lens 20A and the inner lens 30A, and the back surface of the inner lens 30A are also formed as smooth convex curved surfaces with relatively small curvature.

[0080] As will be explained in more detail later, the short-length edges 31Ab and 31Ac of the inner lens 30A, which is laminated on the outer lens 20A, face the rear of the lamp chamber SA. A key feature of this configuration is that the light from the light source incident on the light-receiving portions 32Ab and 32Ac formed on the edges 31Ab and 31Ac can be smoothly guided within the inner lens 30A without any light leakage.

[0081] More specifically, the luminaire 100A, like the luminaire 100 of the first embodiment, is a tail and stop lamp mounted on the rear of a vehicle, and is formed in a long, narrow shape when viewed from the front.

[0082] In the luminaire 100A, the periphery of the outer lens 20A, which is long on both sides and opens to the rear, is attached to the periphery of the opening of the container-shaped lamp body 10A, which is long on both sides and opens to the front, thereby forming a horizontally elongated luminaire SA with an arc shape on both the left and right sides when viewed from the front.

[0083] In other words, the lamp body 100A has left and right side walls and the front wall 20Aa of the outer lens 20A are formed in an arc shape when viewed from the front, and the design surface 21A formed in the area in front of the flange portion 22 of the outer lens 20A is formed as described above as a convex curved surface with a small curvature that curves sharply forward.

[0084] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the inner lens 30A is laminated on the inside of the curved front wall 20Aa of the outer lens 20A. As a result, the edge portion 31A of the inner lens 30A, which extends endlessly in a thin, string-like manner in the circumferential direction along the inner circumferential surface of the front wall 20Aa of the outer lens 20A, is exposed on the inside of the flange portion 22 of the outer lens 20A, facing the rear inside the lamp chamber SA.

[0085] Furthermore, when viewed from inside the lamp chamber SA, the edge portion 31A of the inner lens 30A extends endlessly in the inner circumferential direction of the front wall 20Aa of the outer lens 20A. When viewing the lamp fixture 100A from the front, the first and second edge portions 31Ab and 31Ac of the inner lens 30A in the short direction (up and down direction in Figure 5), which are regions that extend parallel to the left and right directions, have first and second light-receiving portions 32Ab and 32Ac (regions shown by the shaded lines in Figure 5) formed on them for the incidence of light from the light source.

[0086] Furthermore, the edge portion 31A of the inner lens 30A facing the rear inside the lamp chamber SA is formed at a position P2 offset by d1 to the rear inside the lamp chamber SA from position P1 corresponding to the base of the flange portion 22. This configuration increases the area of ​​the light-receiving portions 32Ab and 32Ac formed on the edge portion 31A of the inner lens 30A, which constitutes the incident surface of the light-emitting element 42, thereby improving the incident efficiency of the light source.

[0087] Furthermore, a light source substrate 40A equipped with white-emitting light-emitting elements 42 is positioned in the upper part of the lamp chamber SA with the light-emitting element mounting surface (light-emitting surface) facing forward, and a light source substrate 40B equipped with white-emitting light-emitting elements 42 is positioned in the lower part of the lamp chamber SA with the light-emitting element mounting surface (light-emitting surface) facing forward. The light source substrates 40A and 40B are each formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape with a length approximately equal to the left-right length of the light-receiving portions 32Ab and 32Ac of the inner lens 30A, and numerous light-emitting elements 42 are arranged on the substrates 40A and 40B at equal intervals along the length of the substrate.

[0088] Furthermore, the light source substrates 40A and 40B, which are equipped with the light-emitting elements 42, are fixed to the inside of the flange portion 12 of the lamp body 10A by brackets 44, respectively, and are positioned so that the optical axes of the light-emitting elements 42 face directly toward the light-receiving portions 32Ab and 32Ac of the inner lens 30, respectively.

[0089] Furthermore, the lamp 100A according to this second embodiment also functions as a tail and stop lamp by controlling the amount of power supplied to the light-emitting element 42 so that the brightness of the light emitted from the outer lens 30A changes, just like the lamp 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0090] The luminaire 100A according to this second embodiment has the following functions and effects.

[0091] Generally, in the inner lens, the intensity of light guidance decreases on the side away from the light-receiving area, and therefore the amount of diffused light emitted from the front surface of the stacked outer lens (the amount of light emitted by the outer lens) decreases as the light diffusing material within the inner lens diffuses and reflects off it.

[0092] In particular, as in this embodiment, if a significantly curved region is formed in the outer lens 20A (inner lens 30A), the light guide path within the lens 30A is long, and furthermore, due to light leakage in the curved portion, the light from the light source incident on the light-receiving portion may not be sufficiently guided to the tip of the light guide path within the lens 30A. As a result, the amount of light emitted from the outer lens 30A corresponding to the side of the inner lens 30A that forms the light-receiving portion may be inferior to the amount of light emitted from the outer lens 20A corresponding to the side of the inner lens 30A that forms the light-receiving portion.

[0093] However, in the luminaire 100A, firstly, an inner lens 30A is laminated on its back side, and the front area 20Aa of the outer lens 20A, which forms the design surface 21A, is formed as a convex curved surface with relatively small curvature. Therefore, the inner lens 30A is also formed as a convex curved surface with relatively small curvature. As a result, almost all of the light from the light source incident on the light-receiving portions 32Ab and 32Ac of the inner lens 30A is guided to the entire inner lens 30A, including both the left and right ends of the inner lens 30A, without any light leakage from the inner lens 30A, which is the light guide path. In other words, because there is less light leakage during light guidance, the entire design surface 21A of the outer lens 20A emits light uniformly and brightly.

[0094] Secondly, when the inner lens 30A is viewed from the front, the light from the light-emitting element 42 of the first light source substrate 40A enters the light-receiving portion 32Aa formed on the first edge portion 31Ab of the inner lens 30A, and the light from the light-emitting element 42 of the second light source substrate 40B enters the light-receiving portion 32Ac formed on the second edge portion 31Ac of the inner lens 30A. As a result, the intensity of light guidance throughout the inner lens 30A increases, and the amount of diffused light emitted from the front wall 20Aa (design surface 21A) of the outer lens 20A (the amount of light emitted by the outer lens 20A) increases accordingly. In other words, the entire design surface 21A of the outer lens 20A, which bulges significantly forward, emits light uniformly and brightly.

[0095] Thirdly, since the inner lens 30A does not have any reflective step elements, when the light is not illuminated, the sense of depth of the light chamber SA becomes apparent through the front area 20Aa of the outer lens 20A, resulting in a good appearance.

[0096] Furthermore, when only a portion of the outer lens 20A is made to emit light strongly, or when a predetermined light distribution intensity is ensured on the side of the vehicle (for the viewing angle), a reflective step is formed at a predetermined position on the inner lens 30A. However, since the area in which the reflective step is formed is small, there is no problem of the reflective step appearing white when the light is not on, nor is the sense of depth of the lamp chamber SA obstructed.

[0097] In this embodiment, the light emitted from the light-emitting elements 42 of the first and second light source substrates 40A and 40B is directly incident on the light-receiving portion 32Ab (32Ac) of the inner lens 30A, respectively. However, the fixed positions of the first and second light source substrates 40A and 40B may be shifted to the rear of the lamp chamber SA, and a light guide member 60, as used in the first embodiment, may be placed between the light-receiving portion 32Ab (32Ac) of the inner lens 30A and the light-emitting element 42. The light emitted from the light-emitting elements 42 of the first and second light source substrates 40A and 40B may then be incident on the light-receiving portion 32Ab (32Ac) of the inner lens 30A, respectively, via the light guide member 60.

[0098] With this configuration, the directional light source (the light emitted from each of the multiple light-emitting elements 42) is guided by the light guide member 60, resulting in light with reduced directional influence that enters the light-receiving portion 32Ab (32Ac) of the inner lens 30A. This effectively suppresses the occurrence of uneven light emission in the outer lens 20A.

[0099] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment described the lamp 100A as a tail and stop lamp, the lamp 100A can be used, firstly, as a sequential lamp in which the flashing area of ​​the outer lens 20A moves left and right when lit, by controlling the on / off switching of power supply to each of the light-emitting elements 42 which are arranged at equal pitches in the left and right direction. Secondly, it can also be used as a so-called "welcome lamp" that is turned on when a user such as the driver or passenger of a vehicle approaches their parked vehicle or gets in or out of the vehicle.

[0100] Furthermore, in the luminaire 100A, if the outer lens 20A is made of clear resin, it can be used as a side marker light or daytime running lamp, and if the outer lens 20A is made of amber-colored resin, it can be used as a turn signal lamp.

[0101] Furthermore, even if an amber-colored light-emitting element 42 is used and the outer lens 20A is made of clear resin, it can still be used as a turn signal lamp.

[0102] Furthermore, although the design surfaces 21 and 21A of the outer lenses 20 and 20A of the lamps 100 and 100A in the above-described embodiment are formed in a shape that bulges significantly forward, they are not limited to a shape that bulges significantly forward, and may be a planar shape that does not bulge significantly forward.

[0103] Furthermore, although the luminaires 100 and 100A in the above-described embodiment are arranged linearly in the left-right direction in a flat area of ​​the rear panel 102, the luminaires 100 and 100A may also be arranged linearly in the vertical or diagonal direction in a flat area of ​​the rear panel 102.

[0104] Furthermore, although the lamps 100 and 100A of the above-described embodiment are described as having a horizontal cross-section formed linearly in the left-right direction and being installed in a flat area of ​​the rear panel 102, they may also be lamps installed from the rear of the vehicle body to the side of the vehicle body (lamps that wrap around from the rear of the vehicle body to the side). In the case of these lamps that wrap around from the rear of the vehicle body to the side, the horizontal cross-section of the lamps 100 and 100A will have a curved shape that bulges outward, following the curved shape of the rear panel that constitutes the corner of the vehicle body (a shape in which the horizontal cross-section is curved into a convex shape). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0105] 100,100A lighting equipment 10, 10A Lamp Body 12 Flange section 20,20A Outer Lens 20a, 20Aa Front wall of outer lens 20b Upper wall of outer lens 20c outer lens bottom wall 20d outer lens left side wall 20e Outer lens right side wall 21,21A Outer lens design surface 22 Flange section 24 Seal Legs S,SA light room 30,30A Inner Lens R light diffusing material 31,31A The edge of the inner lens facing the rear inside the lamp chamber. 31b, 31Ab First edge portion of the inner lens in the short direction 31c, 31Ac Second edge portion of the inner lens in the short direction 32b, 32Ab First light-receiving section for light source incidence 32c, 32Ac Second light receiving section for light source incidence 40,40A,40B Light source board 42. Light source: light-emitting element 50 Reflectors 51 Reflective surface 51s Cylindrical Step Element 60 Light guide member 61 Diffusion step 70 Second inner lens

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp comprising: a lamp chamber formed by sealing a peripheral portion of a translucent outer lens to an opening peripheral portion of a container-shaped lamp body; a light source; and a first translucent inner lens that emits light by guiding light source light from the light source that is incident on a light entrance portion formed on an edge portion of a first light guiding member containing a light diffusion material, the first inner lens being disposed in the lamp chamber; The first inner lens is laminated on at least a part of the outer lens having a narrow and elongated shape when viewed from the front, and the light entrance portion of the light source light is formed on at least one of the short edge portions of the first inner lens facing the rear of the lamp chamber, The light from the light source incident on the light entrance portion is guided within the first inner lens, and is diffusely reflected by the light diffusing material and emitted as diffused light from the outer lens. A vehicle lamp characterized by the above.

2. The region of the outer lens where the first inner lens is laminated is formed into a shape that is bent or curved and bulges forward, The light entrance portion for the light source light is also formed on the other end edge portion in the short length direction of the first inner lens.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1,

3. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, further comprising a second light guide member disposed in the lamp chamber for guiding the light from the light source to the light entrance portion.

4. The region of the outer lens where the first inner lens is laminated is formed into a shape that is bent or curved and bulges forward, The light source includes a first light source and a second light source, The first light source is disposed in an upper portion of the lamp chamber, and the second light source is disposed in a lower portion of the lamp chamber, A first light entrance portion into which the first light source light from the first light source is incident is formed at one end edge portion in the short length direction of the first inner lens, A second light entrance portion into which the second light source light from the second light source is incident is formed on the other end edge portion in the short length direction of the first inner lens.

4. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or claim 3 dependent thereon.

5. The light source is disposed in an upper portion of the lamp chamber and faces downward, The region of the outer lens where the first inner lens is laminated is formed into a shape that is bent or curved and bulges forward, The light entrance portion for the light source light is formed on each of the short edge portions of the first inner lens facing the rear of the lamp chamber, A second light guiding member is disposed between the light source and one edge portion of the first inner lens in the short length direction, and guides a portion of the light source light to a first light entrance portion formed on one edge portion of the first inner lens; A reflector is disposed below the light source in the lamp chamber to guide a part of the light source light to a second light entrance portion formed on the other edge portion of the first inner lens and to the entire back surface of the first inner lens.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1,

6. A second inner lens is disposed in front of the reflector to diffuse the light reflected by the reflector toward the entire back surface of the first inner lens.

6. A vehicle lamp according to claim 5.

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