Vehicle lighting unit and light guide
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- STANLEY ELECTRIC CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle lamps using rod-shaped light guides with ginkgo-shaped cross sections face issues with non-uniform light emission, resulting in dark areas in wider regions due to the limited angular range of light emission.
The vehicle lamp design incorporates rod-shaped light guides with different cross-sectional shapes and orientations to expand the angular range of light emission, ensuring uniform light distribution across both wide and narrow areas by using fan-shaped and ginkgo-shaped light guides arranged to cover these regions effectively.
The design achieves uniform light emission across both wide and narrow areas of the vehicle lamp, eliminating dark spots and enhancing visibility.
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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle lamp and a light guide. [Background technology]
[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle lamp using a rod-shaped light guiding part having a ginkgo-shaped cross section is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-116142 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, in the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1, a first region having a width corresponding to the angular range of light emitted from the light exit surface of the rod-shaped light guiding section having a ginkgo-shaped cross-section is penetrated by the light exiting surface of the rod-shaped light guiding section, allowing the first region to emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly), whereas a second region having a width greater than the first region and exceeding the angular range of light emitted from the light exit surface of the rod-shaped light guiding section is not penetrated by the light exiting surface of the rod-shaped light guiding section, preventing the second region from emitting light uniformly (or approximately uniformly) (a relatively dark portion is generated in part of the second region).
[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp and light guide that can emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly) in the wide and narrow regions (without the occurrence of relatively dark areas in part of the wide region). [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure includes a light source, an inner lens including a wide region and a narrow region, and a light guide including at least one rod-shaped light guide that guides light emitted by the light source, the rod-shaped light guide including a first rod-shaped light guide extending in a first direction and a second rod-shaped light guide extending in a second direction, and an angular range of light guided within the first rod-shaped light guide and exiting from a light exit surface of the first rod-shaped light guide is greater than an angular range of light guided within the second rod-shaped light guide and exiting from a light exit surface of the second rod-shaped light guide. The cross-sectional shapes of the first rod-shaped light guiding portion and the second rod-shaped light guiding portion are set to different shapes so that the angular range of light emitted from the light exit surface of the first rod-shaped light guiding portion is larger than the angular range of light emitted from the light exit surface of the first rod-shaped light guiding portion, the first rod-shaped light guiding portion is positioned behind the wide region so that light emitted from the light exit surface of the second rod-shaped light guiding portion transmits through the narrow region, and the second rod-shaped light guiding portion is positioned behind the narrow region so that light emitted from the light exit surface of the second rod-shaped light guiding portion transmits through the narrow region.
[0007] With this configuration, the wide region and the narrow region can emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly) (a relatively dark portion is not generated in part of the wide region).
[0008] This is because, first, the cross-sectional shapes of the first rod-shaped light guiding section and the second rod-shaped light guiding section are set to be different from each other so that the angular range of light guided through the first rod-shaped light guiding section and exiting from the light exit surface of the first rod-shaped light guiding section is larger than the angular range of light guided through the second rod-shaped light guiding section and exiting from the light exit surface of the second rod-shaped light guiding section; and second, the first rod-shaped light guiding section is positioned behind the wide region so that light exiting from the light exit surface of the first rod-shaped light guiding section transmits through the wide region, and the second rod-shaped light guiding section is positioned behind the narrow region so that light exiting from the light exit surface of the second rod-shaped light guiding section transmits through the narrow region.
[0009] In the above vehicle lamp, the first rod-shaped light guiding portion may have a sector-shaped cross-sectional shape, and the second rod-shaped light guiding portion may have a ginkgo-shaped cross-sectional shape.
[0010] In addition, in the above-mentioned vehicle lamp, the second direction may be a direction intersecting the first direction, the light guide may include a third rod-shaped light guiding portion having a curved shape connecting the first rod-shaped light guiding portion and the second rod-shaped light guiding portion, and a cross-sectional shape of the third rod-shaped light guiding portion may gradually change from a fan shape to a ginkgo shape as it moves from the first rod-shaped light guiding portion to the second rod-shaped light guiding portion.
[0011] In the vehicle lamp, a diameter of the first rod-shaped light guiding portion and a diameter of the second rod-shaped light guiding portion may be substantially equal to each other.
[0012] In the vehicle lamp, a curvature of a light exit surface of the first rod-shaped light guiding portion and a curvature of a light exit surface of the second rod-shaped light guiding portion may be different from each other.
[0013] In the vehicle lamp, the light guide may include a plurality of the rod-shaped light guide portions arranged in parallel with each other.
[0014] In addition, in the above-mentioned vehicle lamp, the base end sides of each of the multiple rod-shaped light guiding sections may merge with each other to form a single junction section with no boundaries between them, and a light entrance surface through which light emitted by the light source enters may be provided at the tip of the junction.
[0015] The light guide according to the present disclosure is a light guide including at least one rod-shaped light guide that guides light emitted by a light source, the rod-shaped light guide including a first rod-shaped light guide extending in a first direction and a second rod-shaped light guide extending in a second direction, and the cross-sectional shapes of the first rod-shaped light guide and the second rod-shaped light guide are set to be different from each other so that the angular range of light guided within the first rod-shaped light guide and exiting from the light exit surface of the first rod-shaped light guide is larger than the angular range of light guided within the second rod-shaped light guide and exiting from the light exit surface of the second rod-shaped light guide.
[0016] With this configuration, the wide region and the narrow region can emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly) (a relatively dark portion is not generated in part of the wide region).
[0017] This is because the cross-sectional shapes of the first rod-shaped light guiding section and the second rod-shaped light guiding section are set to be different from each other so that the angular range of light guided through the first rod-shaped light guiding section and exiting from the light exit surface of the first rod-shaped light guiding section is larger than the angular range of light guided through the second rod-shaped light guiding section and exiting from the light exit surface of the second rod-shaped light guiding section. Effect of the Invention
[0018] The present disclosure makes it possible to provide a vehicle lamp and a light guide that can emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly) in the wide region and the narrow region (without the occurrence of relatively dark areas in part of the wide region). [Brief description of the drawings]
[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is a front view of a vehicle lamp 10, and FIG. 1(b) is a diagram in which a light-emitting region is indicated in FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the light guide 20, the bracket 60, and the inner lens 70 extracted from FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a view of the substrate 40 as seen in the direction of the arrow Ar1 in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of a light entrance surface 22 of a rod-shaped light guiding portion 21 as viewed in the direction of an arrow Ar2 in FIG. [Figure 8] (a) A diagram showing the angular range θ1 of light output from the light output surface 212a of the second rod-shaped light guiding section 212 (1 section) of the comparative example, (b) A diagram showing the range of light output from the light output surface 212a of the second rod-shaped light guiding section 212 (3 sections) of the comparative example, (c) A diagram showing the angular range θ2 of light output from the light output surface of the first rod-shaped light guiding section 211 (1 section) of the embodiment, and (d) A diagram showing the range of light output from the light output surface of the first rod-shaped light guiding section 211 (3 sections) of the embodiment. [Figure 9]13 shows a first modified example of a rod-shaped light guiding portion 21 and an inner lens 70. [Figure 10] 13 shows a second modified example of a rod-shaped light guiding portion 21 and an inner lens 70. [Figure 11] 13 shows a third modified example of a rod-shaped light guiding portion 21 and an inner lens 70. [Figure 12] 2 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional shape of a rod-shaped light guiding section 21. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Hereinafter, a vehicle lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, corresponding components are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.
[0021] The vehicular lamp 10 of this embodiment is a vehicular lamp that functions as a turn lamp, DRL lamp, or position lamp (signature lamp or vehicular signal lamp), and is mounted on both the left and right sides of the front end of a vehicle (not shown) such as an automobile. Since the vehicular lamps 10 mounted on both the left and right sides have a symmetrical configuration, the vehicular lamp 10 mounted on the left side of the front end of the vehicle (left side when facing the front of the vehicle) will be described below as a representative example.
[0022] Fig. 1(a) is a front view of a vehicle lamp 10, and Fig. 1(b) is a view of Fig. 1(a) with a light-emitting region drawn on it. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a light guide 20, a bracket 60, and an inner lens 70 extracted from Fig. 1(a). Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1(a), Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 1(a), and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 1(a). Fig. 6 is a view of a substrate 40 as seen from the direction of an arrow Ar1 in Fig. 5.
[0023] 1 to 6, the vehicle lamp 10 includes a light guide 20, a substrate 40 on which a first light source 30A and a second light source 30B are mounted, a heat sink 50 to which the substrate 40 is attached, a bracket 60 to which the light guide 20 is attached, an inner lens 70, an extension 80 which is a decorative member, an outer lens 90, and a housing 100. The light guide 20, the substrate 40, the heat sink 50, the bracket 60, the inner lens 70, and the extension 80 are disposed in a lamp chamber formed by the outer lens 90 and the housing 100, and are attached to the housing 100 or the like.
[0024] The inner lens 70 is made of a transparent resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate, and is configured in an L-shape when viewed from the front as shown in Fig. 1(a). 70a and narrow region A 70b Includes: Wide Area A 70a is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vertical direction. 70a Width L 70a is, for example, 60 mm. On the other hand, the narrow region A 70b is the wide area A 70a The narrow region A extends from the lower end of the narrow region A toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. 70b Width L 70b is, for example, 30 mm.
[0025] As described later, the light guided by the light guide body 20 arranged behind the inner lens 70 is guided through the inner lens 70 (wide area A 70a , and narrow region A 70b ) is transmitted through the inner lens 70 (wide area A 70a , and narrow region A 70b ) emits light. The hatched area in Fig. 1(b) is the light-emitting area.
[0026] 3 and 4, the light guide 20 is attached to the bracket 60 and disposed behind the inner lens 70. The bracket 60 is made of, for example, white resin that functions as a reflective surface, and includes a bracket main body 61, left and right wall portions 62, 63 (see FIG. 3) extending from both the left and right sides of the bracket main body 61 toward the inner lens 70, and upper and lower wall portions 64, 65 (see FIG. 4) extending from both the top and bottom sides of the bracket main body 61 toward the inner lens 70.
[0027] Light guide 20 is made of a transparent resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate, and includes three rod-shaped light guides 21A-21C arranged in parallel to one another, as shown in Fig. 2. The rod-shaped light guides are also called light guide rods. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between rod-shaped light guides 21A-21C, they will simply be referred to as rod-shaped light guide 21.
[0028] The rod-shaped light guiding portion 21 guides the light emitted by the first light source 30A and the second light source 30B. As shown in FIG. 2, the rod-shaped light guiding portion 21 has a base end BE 21 The light incident from the light incident surface 22, which is the end surface on the side of the 21 The rod-shaped light guide portion 21 is a long light guide rod that guides light toward the side and is configured to have a three-dimensional curved shape corresponding to the shape of the inner lens 70 (L-shaped in this case). 21 The light guiding portion 212 includes a junction portion 210 extending from the side toward the front of the vehicle, a first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 extending from the junction portion 210 diagonally downward and forward (an example of the first direction of this disclosure) via a first curved portion C1, and a second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212 extending from the first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction (an example of the second direction of this disclosure) via a second curved portion C2.
[0029] The first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 is configured such that the light emitted from the light emitting surface 211a of the first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 is directed to the wide region A. 70a As shown in FIG. 3, the wide area A of the inner lens 70 is 70a Specifically, first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 is disposed on the vehicle rear side in space S1 surrounded by bracket main body 61, left and right wall portions 62, 63 of bracket 60, and inner lens 70.
[0030] On the other hand, the second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212 has a narrow region A. 70b As shown in FIG. 4, the narrow region A of the inner lens 70 is 70b Specifically, second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212 is disposed on the vehicle rear side in space S2 surrounded by bracket main body 61, upper and lower wall portions 64, 65 of bracket 60, and inner lens 70.
[0031] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of light entrance surface 22 of rod-shaped light guiding portion 21 as viewed from the direction of arrow Ar2 in FIG.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 7, the base end portion BE of the rod-shaped light guiding portion 21 21 include a common light entrance surface 22. This light entrance surface 22 has, for example, a planar shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped light guiding portion 21 (the direction in which the rod-shaped light guiding portion 21 extends) (see FIG. 5). Note that the light entrance surface 22 is not limited to a planar shape, and may have a curved shape or a cap shape convex toward the first light source 30A and the second light source 30B.
[0033] In the rod-shaped light guiding sections 21A to 21C, the portions between the light entrance surface 22 and the first curved section C1 join together to form one boundaryless joining section 210 (approach section) (see FIG. 7). The light entrance surface 22 is provided at the tip of this joining section 210. By providing this joining section 210, it is possible to make the light entering from the light entrance surface 22 (light emitted by the first light source 30A and the second light source 30B) enter the rod-shaped light guiding sections 21A to 21C evenly. The light guide 20 is attached to the bracket 60 with the light entrance surface 22 facing the first light source 30A and the second light source 30B (see FIG. 5).
[0034] The cross-sectional shapes of the first rod-shaped light guiding section 211 and the second rod-shaped light guiding section 212 are set to be different from each other so that the angular range θ2 (see FIG. 8(c)) of light Ray2 guided through the first rod-shaped light guiding section 211 and output from the light output surface 211a of the first rod-shaped light guiding section 211 is larger than the angular range θ1 (see FIG. 8(a)) of light Ray1 guided through the second rod-shaped light guiding section 212 and output from the light output surface 212a of the second rod-shaped light guiding section 212. This point will be described in detail below.
[0035] First, the cross-sectional shape of first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 will be described.
[0036] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional shape of rod-shaped light guiding portion 21. As shown in FIG.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 12, the cross-sectional shape CS 211 is the optical axis AX of the first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211. 211 Specifically, the first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 includes a light output surface 211a, a first reflecting surface 211b on the opposite side thereof, and a pair of second reflecting surfaces 211c, 211d on both sides thereof. 211 does not have to be a perfect sector shape, but may be roughly sector-shaped.
[0038] The light exit surface 211a is disposed on the front side (vehicle front side) in a state where it faces the inner lens 70. On the other hand, the first reflecting surface 211b is disposed on the back side (vehicle rear side) in a state where it faces the bracket 60 (bracket main body 61).
[0039] The cross-sectional shape of the light output surface 211a is an arc shape that is convex toward the front side (light irradiation direction; downward in FIG. 3).
[0040] On the other hand, the cross-sectional shape of the first reflecting surface 211b is such that the optical axis AX 211 The length L of the first reflecting surface 211b is a straight line that intersects (is perpendicular to) the 211b is the length L of the light emitting surface 211a 211a Shorter.
[0041] First reflecting surface 211b includes optical element LC1 (see FIG. 7) configured to internally reflect (total reflect) light that is guided inside first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 and enters first reflecting surface 211b, causing the light to exit from light exit surface 211a. A plurality of optical elements LC1 are provided in the longitudinal direction of first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211. Optical element LC1 is, for example, a lens cut (for example, a V-groove).
[0042] Second reflecting surface 211c has a linear cross-sectional shape, connecting one end of light output surface 211a to one end of first reflecting surface 211b (see FIG. 3). Similarly, second reflecting surface 211d has a linear cross-sectional shape, connecting the other end of light output surface 211a to the other end of first reflecting surface 211b (see FIG. 3).
[0043] 3, in this embodiment, three first rod-shaped light guiding portions 211 are disposed adjacent to each other in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction). In this case, adjacent first rod-shaped light guiding portions 211 are connected to each other via connecting portions 211e and 211f. Note that connecting portions 211e and 211f are so-called joint portions that do not have an optical function.
[0044] Next, the cross-sectional shape of second rod-shaped light guiding section 212 will be described.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 12, the cross-sectional shape CS 212 is the optical axis AX of the second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212. 212 Specifically, second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212 includes light output surface 212a, first reflecting surface 212b on the opposite side thereof, and a pair of second reflecting surfaces 212c, 212d on both sides thereof. 212 It does not have to be a perfect ginkgo shape, as long as it is roughly ginkgo shaped.
[0046] The light exit surface 212a is disposed on the front side (vehicle front side) in opposition to the inner lens 70. On the other hand, the first reflecting surface 212b is disposed on the back side (vehicle rear side) in opposition to the bracket 60 (bracket main body 61).
[0047] The cross-sectional shape of the light output surface 212a is a convex arc shape toward the front side (light irradiation direction, left direction in FIG. 4). 212a 3 ) and the diameter of the light exit surface 211a of the first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 (the distance L 211a Note that the curvature of light output surface 212a of second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212 and the curvature of light output surface 211a of first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 are the same, but may be different from each other.
[0048] On the other hand, the cross-sectional shape of the first reflecting surface 212b is such that the optical axis AX of the second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212 is 212 The length L of the first reflecting surface 212b is a straight line that intersects (orthogonally) with the 212b is the length L of the light emitting surface 212a 212a Shorter.
[0049] The first reflecting surface 212b includes an optical element LC2 configured to internally reflect (total reflect) light that is guided through the second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212 and enters the first reflecting surface 212b, causing the light to exit from the light exit surface 212a. A plurality of optical elements LC2 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212. The optical elements LC2 are, for example, lens cuts (for example, V-grooves) like the optical element LC1.
[0050] Further, the cross-sectional shape of second reflecting surface 212c is a convex arc shape toward the inside of second rod-shaped light guiding section 212, and connects one end of light output surface 212a to one end of first reflecting surface 212b (see FIG. 4). Similarly, the cross-sectional shape of second reflecting surface 212d is a convex arc shape toward the inside of second rod-shaped light guiding section 212, and connects the other end of light output surface 212a to the other end of first reflecting surface 212b (see FIG. 4).
[0051] 4, in this embodiment, three second rod-shaped light guiding sections 212 are disposed adjacent to one another in the vertical direction. In this case, adjacent second rod-shaped light guiding sections 212 are connected to one another via connecting sections 212e and 212f. Note that connecting sections 212e and 212f are so-called linking sections that do not have an optical function.
[0052] Next, the cross-sectional shape of the second curved portion C2 will be described.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 12, the second curved portion C2 is a curved rod-shaped light guiding portion (gradual change portion) that connects the first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 and the second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212. The second curved portion C2 is an example of the third rod-shaped light guiding portion of the present disclosure. The cross-sectional shape CS of the second curved portion C2 C2 has a shape that gradually changes from a fan shape to a ginkgo shape from first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 to second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212. By using a rod-shaped light guiding portion having a gradually changing cross-sectional shape as second curved portion C2 in this manner, a step is prevented from being formed between first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 and second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212, and therefore, it is possible to suppress the second curved portion C2 from emitting a point light or the like due to the light guided inside rod-shaped light guiding portion 21 entering the step.
[0054] Next, the first light source 30A and the second light source 30B will be described.
[0055] The first light source 30A is, for example, a semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED that emits amber light. The first light source 30A has a light emitting surface (for example, a rectangular light emitting surface with a side length of 1 mm). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, four first light sources 30A are mounted on the upper and lower stages of the substrate 40 (light source mounting surface) in a state of being arranged in a row in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction). The number of first light sources 30A is not limited to four, and may be one or more.
[0056] On the other hand, the second light source 30B is, for example, a semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED that emits white light. The second light source 30B has a light emitting surface (for example, a rectangular light emitting surface with a side length of 1 mm). In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, six second light sources 30B are mounted on the middle stage of the substrate 40 (light source mounting surface) in a state of being arranged in a row in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction). The number of second light sources 30B is not limited to six, and may be one or more.
[0057] The substrate 40 is fixed to a bracket 60 or the like in a state in which the first light source 30A (light emitting surface) and the second light source 30B (light emitting surface) mounted on the substrate 40 face the light incident surface 22 of the rod-shaped light guiding section 21 (see FIG. 5). 22 represents the outer shape of the light entrance surface 22 of the rod-shaped light guiding portion 21.
[0058] In the vehicle lamp 10 configured as described above, a turn lamp can be realized by turning on the first light source 30A that emits amber light and turning off the second light source 30B that emits white light.
[0059] In the turn signal lamp, the light emitted by the first light source 30A travels along the following optical path: When the first light source 30A is turned on, the light emitted by the first light source 30A enters the rod-shaped light guiding portion 21 from the light entrance surface 22 of the rod-shaped light guiding portion 21, and is repeatedly reflected internally (total reflected) within the rod-shaped light guiding portion 21 until it reaches the tip end FE of the rod-shaped light guiding portion 21. 21 The light is guided toward the side through the junction section 210, the first curved section C1, the first rod-shaped light guiding section 211, the second curved section C2, and the second rod-shaped light guiding section 212 in this order.
[0060] Then, a portion of the light guided through the first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 is internally reflected (diffusely reflected) by the first reflecting surface 211b (optical element LC1) of the first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 and exits from the light exit surface 211a of the first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211.
[0061] Similarly, a portion of the light guided through the second curved portion C2 is internally reflected (diffusely reflected) by a first reflecting surface (optical element) (not shown) of the second curved portion C2 and exits from the light exit surface of the second curved portion C2.
[0062] Similarly, a portion of the light guided through the second rod-shaped light guiding section 212 is internally reflected (diffusely reflected) by the first reflecting surface 212b (optical element LC2) of the second rod-shaped light guiding section 212 and exits from the light exit surface 212a of the second rod-shaped light guiding section 212.
[0063] As described above, the light emitted from each light output surface of rod-shaped light guiding portion 21 (first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211, second curved portion C2, second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212) passes through inner lens 70 and outer lens 90 and is irradiated within a predetermined angle range in front of the vehicle. At this time, a part of the light passes directly through inner lens 70 and outer lens 90, and another part of the light is reflected by left and right wall portions 62, 63 and top and bottom wall portions 64, 65 of bracket 60, and then passes through inner lens 70 and outer lens 90.
[0064] As described above, the light (amber light) that passes through the inner lens 70 and the outer lens 90 and is irradiated within a predetermined angular range in front of the vehicle serves as a turn signal.
[0065] At that time, the light emitted from the light exit surface 211a of the first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 is guided mainly to the wide region A of the inner lens 70. 70a (See Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 3) 70a At that time, the wide area A 70a The entire area emits light uniformly (almost uniformly). This point will be described below in comparison with a comparative example.
[0066] The comparative example is an example in which second rod-shaped light guiding section 212 having a ginkgo-shaped cross section is used instead of first rod-shaped light guiding section 211 having a sector-shaped cross section.
[0067] Fig. 8(a) is a diagram showing an angular range θ1 of light emitted from the light output surface 212a of the second rod-shaped light guiding section 212 (one piece) of the comparative example. Fig. 8(b) is a diagram showing a range of light emitted from the light output surface 212a of the second rod-shaped light guiding section 212 (three pieces) of the comparative example. Fig. 8(c) is a diagram showing an angular range θ2 of light emitted from the light output surface of the first rod-shaped light guiding section 211 (one piece) of the embodiment. Fig. 8(d) is a diagram showing a range of light emitted from the light output surface of the first rod-shaped light guiding section 211 (three pieces) of the embodiment.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 8(a), in the second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212 (one piece) of the comparative example, the wide region A 70a In the comparative example, a relatively dark portion occurs in a part of the wide area A (for example, see the circular area indicated by the symbol D1 in FIG. 8(a)). 70a Width L 70a However, since the angle range θ1 (see FIG. 8(a)) of the light Ray1 emitted from the light output surface 212a of the second rod-shaped light guiding section 212 having a ginkgo-shaped cross section is wider than the angle range θ1 of the light Ray1 emitted from the light output surface 212a of the second rod-shaped light guiding section 212, the light Ray1 emitted from the light output surface 212a of the second rod-shaped light guiding section 212 is within the wide region A. 70a This is because the light does not pass through the area D1 exceeding the angle range θ1. As a result, in the comparative example, 70a A relatively dark area occurs in a part of the wide area A (for example, see the circular area indicated by the symbol D1 in FIG. 8(b)). 70a It is not possible to emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly) over the entire area.
[0069] In contrast, as shown in FIG. 8(c), in the first rod-shaped light guiding section 211 (one piece) of the present embodiment, the wide region A 70a This is because, in this embodiment, the angle range θ2 (see FIG. 8(c)) of the light Ray2 emitted from the light output surface 211a of the first rod-shaped light guiding unit 211 is larger than the angle range θ1 (see FIG. 8(a)) of the light Ray1 emitted from the light output surface 212a of the second rod-shaped light guiding unit 212 in the comparative example, so that the light Ray2 emitted from the light output surface 211a of the first rod-shaped light guiding unit 211 is wider than the angle range θ1 (see FIG. 8(a)) of the light Ray1 emitted from the light output surface 212a of the second rod-shaped light guiding unit 212 in the comparative example.70a This is because the light passes through a region D1 that exceeds the angle range θ1. As a result, in this embodiment, 70a In a part of the wide area A (for example, see the circular area indicated by the symbol D1 in FIG. 8(d)), a relatively dark area does not occur. 70a The entire area emits light uniformly (or approximately uniformly).
[0070] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the light emitted from the light exit surface 212a of the second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212 is mainly incident on the narrow region A of the inner lens 70. 70b (See Fig. 1(a) and Fig. 4) 70b At that time, the narrow area A of the inner lens 70 emits light. 70b Width L 70b 1(a) and 4) corresponds to the angular range θ1 (see FIG. 8(a)) of light emitted from the light output surface 212a of the second rod-shaped light guiding section 212 having a ginkgo-shaped cross section. 70b The entire area also emits light uniformly (almost uniformly).
[0071] As described above, according to the present embodiment, when realizing a turn lamp, the inner lens 70 (wide area A 70a and narrow region A 70b ) can be made to emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly) (wide area A 70a (There is no relatively dark area in some areas.)
[0072] In the vehicle lamp 10 configured as described above, a DRL lamp can be realized by turning off the first light source 30A that emits amber light and turning on the second light source 30B that emits white light at a first brightness.
[0073] In the DRL lamp, the light emitted by the second light source 30B follows the same optical path as the light emitted by the first light source 30A in the turn lamp, exits from each light exit surface of the rod-shaped light guiding section 21 (first rod-shaped light guiding section 211, second curved section C2, second rod-shaped light guiding section 212), passes through the inner lens 70 and the outer lens 90, and is irradiated within a predetermined angle range in front of the vehicle. The DRL lamp is realized by the light (white light of a first brightness) that passes through the inner lens 70 and the outer lens 90 and is irradiated within a predetermined angle range in front of the vehicle. At that time, for the same reason as in the turn lamp, the wide area A of the inner lens 70 is irradiated within a predetermined angle range in front of the vehicle. 70a Full area and narrow area A 70b The entire area emits light uniformly (almost uniformly).
[0074] As described above, according to the present embodiment, when realizing a DRL lamp, the inner lens 70 (wide area A 70a and narrow region A 70b ) can be made to emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly) (wide area A 70a (There is no relatively dark area in some areas.)
[0075] In the vehicle lamp 10 configured as described above, a position lamp can be realized by turning off the first light source 30A that emits amber light and turning on the second light source 30B that emits white light at a second brightness that is darker than the first brightness.
[0076] In the position lamp, the light emitted by the second light source 30B follows the same optical path as the light emitted by the first light source 30A in the turn lamp, exits from each light exit surface of the rod-shaped light guiding section 21 (first rod-shaped light guiding section 211, second curved section C2, second rod-shaped light guiding section 212), passes through the inner lens 70 and the outer lens 90, and is irradiated within a predetermined angular range in front of the vehicle. The position lamp is realized by the light (white light of the second brightness) that passes through the inner lens 70 and the outer lens 90 and is irradiated within a predetermined angular range in front of the vehicle. At that time, for the same reason as in the turn lamp, the wide region A of the inner lens 70 is 70a Full area and narrow area A 70b The entire area emits light uniformly (almost uniformly).
[0077] As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when realizing a position lamp, the inner lens 70 (wide area A 70a and narrow region A 70b ) can be made to emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly) (wide area A 70a (There is no relatively dark area in some areas.)
[0078] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the inner lens 70 (wide area A 70a and narrow region A 70b ) can be made to emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly) (wide area A 70a (There is no relatively dark area in some areas.)
[0079] This is because, firstly, the cross-sectional shape CS of the first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 is so designed that the angular range θ2 (see FIG. 8(c)) of the light guided in the first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 and outputted from the light output surface 211a of the first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 is larger than the angular range θ1 (see FIG. 8(a)) of the light guided in the second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212 and outputted from the light output surface 212a of the second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212. 211 (See FIG. 3 and FIG. 12) and the cross-sectional shape CS of the second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212 212 (See FIG. 4 and FIG. 12) are set to have different shapes. Secondly, the first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 has a light exit surface 211a, and the light exiting the light exit surface 211a of the first rod-shaped light guiding portion 211 is arranged so that the light exiting the light exit surface 211a ... 70a The wide area A 70a 3, the second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212 is disposed behind the light exit surface 212a of the second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212, and the light exiting from the light exit surface 212a of the second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212 is disposed behind the light exit surface 212a of the second rod-shaped light guiding portion 212. 70b The narrow area A 70b This is because the AF-100 is located behind the AF-100 (see Figure 4).
[0080] Next, a modified example will be described.
[0081] In the above embodiment, the light guide 20 includes three rod-shaped light guide portions 21A to 21C. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the light guide 20 may include one or more rod-shaped light guide portions.
[0082] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the inner lens 70 is L-shaped and the rod-shaped light guiding section 21 is three-dimensionally curved in correspondence with the shape (L-shape) of the inner lens 70, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Fig. 9, the inner lens 70 may be linear, and the rod-shaped light guiding section 21 may be linear in correspondence with the shape (linear shape) of the inner lens 70. Fig. 9 shows a first modified example of the rod-shaped light guiding section 21 and the inner lens 70.
[0083] In the above embodiment, the first rod-shaped light guide 211 is disposed on the light source side (first light source 30A, second light source 30B side) and the second rod-shaped light guide 212 is disposed on the opposite light source side (see Figs. 2 and 9), but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, the second rod-shaped light guide 212 may be disposed on the light source side (first light source 30A, second light source 30B side) and the first rod-shaped light guide 211 may be disposed on the opposite light source side. Fig. 10 shows a second modified example of the rod-shaped light guide 21 and the inner lens 70. The gradually changing portion C2' in Fig. 10 is a part of the rod-shaped light guide 21 whose cross-sectional shape gradually changes from a ginkgo shape to a fan shape from the second rod-shaped light guide 212 to the first rod-shaped light guide 211. As shown in Fig. 11, the gradually changing portion C2' may be omitted. Fig. 11 shows a third modified example of the rod-shaped light guide 21 and the inner lens 70.
[0084] The numerical values shown in the above embodiments are all examples, and it goes without saying that suitable numerical values different from these can be used.
[0085] The above-described embodiments are merely examples in all respects. The present disclosure should not be construed as being limited by the description of the above-described embodiments. The present disclosure can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main characteristics thereof. [Explanation of symbols]
[0086] 10...Vehicle lighting fixtures 20...Light guide 21, 21A, 21B, 21C...rod-shaped light guide 22...Light incident surface 30A…1st light source 30B…Second light source 40…Substrate 50…Heat sink 60…Bracket 61…Bracket body 62, 63...Left and right walls 64, 65...Upper and lower walls 70…Inner lens 80…Extension 90…Outer lens 100…Housing 210… Junction 211...First rod-shaped light guide part 211a…Idemitsu surface 211b...first reflective surface 211c, 211d...Second reflective surface 211e, 211f...Connection part 212...Second rod-shaped light guide part 212a…Idemitsu surface 212b...first reflective surface 212c, 212d...Second reflective surface 212e, 212f...Connection part A 70a …Wide range A 70b …Narrow area AX 211 , AX 212 …optical axis B.E. 21 ...Proximal end C1: First curve C2: Second curved section C2'...Gradually changing part CS 211 , C.S. 212 , C.S. C2 …Cross-sectional shape FE 21 …Tip LC1, LC2...Optical elements Ray1, Ray2...light
Claims
1. Light source and An inner lens including wide and narrow areas, The device comprises a light guide body including at least one rod-shaped light guide portion that guides the light emitted by the light source, The rod-shaped light guide portion includes a first rod-shaped light guide portion extending in a first direction and a second rod-shaped light guide portion extending in a second direction. The cross-sectional shapes of the first rod-shaped light guide and the second rod-shaped light guide are set to be different from each other so that the angular range of light guided within the first rod-shaped light guide and emitted from the light-emitting surface of the first rod-shaped light guide is greater than the angular range of light guided within the second rod-shaped light guide and emitted from the light-emitting surface of the second rod-shaped light guide. The first rod-shaped light guide is positioned behind the wide area such that the light emitted from the light-emitting surface of the first rod-shaped light guide is transmitted through the wide area. The second rod-shaped light guide is positioned behind the narrow region such that the light emitted from the light-emitting surface of the second rod-shaped light guide passes through the narrow region.
2. The cross-sectional shape of the first rod-shaped light guide is fan-shaped, The vehicle light fixture according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the second rod-shaped light guide is ginkgo leaf-shaped.
3. The second direction is a direction that intersects the first direction, The light guide includes a curved third rod-shaped light guide that connects the first rod-shaped light guide and the second rod-shaped light guide. The vehicle light fixture according to claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the third rod-shaped light guide portion gradually changes from a fan shape to a ginkgo leaf shape as it moves from the first rod-shaped light guide portion toward the second rod-shaped light guide portion.
4. The vehicle light fixture according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the first rod-shaped light guide and the diameter of the second rod-shaped light guide are approximately equal.
5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 4, wherein the curvature of the light-emitting surface of the first rod-shaped light guide and the curvature of the light-emitting surface of the second rod-shaped light guide are different from each other.
6. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light guide includes a plurality of rod-shaped light guides arranged in parallel with each other.
7. The base ends of each of the multiple rod-shaped light guide sections merge to form a single, seamless confluence. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 6, wherein the tip of the confluence portion is provided with a light-receiving surface into which light emitted from the light source enters.
8. A light guide body including at least one rod-shaped light guide portion that guides light emitted from a light source, The rod-shaped light guide portion includes a first rod-shaped light guide portion extending in a first direction and a second rod-shaped light guide portion extending in a second direction. The cross-sectional shapes of the first rod-shaped light guide and the second rod-shaped light guide are set to be different from each other so that the angular range of light guided within the first rod-shaped light guide and emitted from the light-emitting surface of the first rod-shaped light guide is greater than the angular range of light guided within the second rod-shaped light guide and emitted from the light-emitting surface of the second rod-shaped light guide. The cross-sectional shape of the first rod-shaped light guide is fan-shaped, The cross-sectional shape of the second rod-shaped light guide is a ginkgo leaf shape.