Vehicle lamp fitting

Abstract

To enable light emission in a portion which has a small depth of a vehicle body and make vehicle body structures etc. behind a lamp fitting less visible.SOLUTION: A vehicle lamp fitting 1 includes: a first light source 6 which emits first light L1; and a light guide plate 8 including a surface 8a having a first half mirror layer 14, a rear surface 8b having a light reflection element 16, and an end surface 8c having an incident part 18 of the first light L1. The incident part 18 causes the first light L1 to enter the light guide plate 8. The light reflection element 16 reflects the first light L1 proceeding in the light guide plate 8 toward the surface 8a. The first half mirror layer 14 transmits part of the first light L1 to an area in front of the lamp fitting and reflects the rest of the first light L1 toward the rear surface 8b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle lamp having a first light-emitting element, a second light-emitting element, a first surface, a second surface, and a cavity between the first surface and the second surface. In this vehicle lamp, the light of the first light-emitting element is incident on the cavity and is gradually irradiated from the second surface to the front of the lamp while being multiple-reflected between the first surface and the second surface. In addition, the light of the second light-emitting element passes through the first surface, the cavity, and the second surface to be irradiated to the front of the lamp. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-4201 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, with the improvement of vehicle collision safety, the depth of the installation space for vehicle lamps has become narrower. In other words, there has been a demand for lighting narrow parts of the vehicle body. In addition, there is a tendency for the number of sensors mounted on the vehicle to increase in order to improve the driving safety of the vehicle. In such a situation, there has been a demand for installing vehicle lamps in places with narrow depths, that is, for illuminating narrow parts.

[0005] On the other hand, when a portion with a narrow depth is illuminated, the vehicle body structure behind the lamp and dirt adhering to the structure are easily visible through the lamp. When the appearance of the vehicle is taken into consideration, it is desirable that the vehicle body structure behind the lamp is difficult to see.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide technology that achieves both illumination of narrow parts of the vehicle body and making it difficult to see vehicle body structures, etc. behind the lamp. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle lamp. The vehicle lamp includes a first light source that emits a first light, and a light guide plate that has a first half mirror layer and a front surface facing the outside of the lamp, a back surface facing the inside of the lamp and a light reflecting element, and an end surface that has an entrance portion for the first light and connects the front surface and the back surface. The entrance portion causes the first light to enter the light guide plate. The light reflecting element reflects the first light traveling in the light guide plate toward the front surface. The first half mirror layer transmits a portion of the first light forward of the lamp and reflects the remainder of the first light toward the back surface.

[0008] Any combination of the above components and any conversion of the present invention into a method, device, system, etc. are also valid aspects of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve both illumination of a narrow depth portion of the vehicle body and making it difficult to see vehicle body structures and the like behind the lamp. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the vehicle lamp. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings based on preferred embodiments. The embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the invention, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in each drawing are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are omitted as appropriate. The scale and shape of each part shown in each drawing are set for convenience to facilitate explanation, and are not to be interpreted as being limiting unless otherwise specified. In addition, when terms such as "first" and "second" are used in this specification or claims, unless otherwise specified, these terms do not represent any order or importance, but are intended to distinguish one configuration from another. In addition, some of the members that are not important in explaining the embodiment in each drawing are omitted.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle lamp 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the vehicle lamp 1. FIG. 1 illustrates a state in which the vehicle lamp 1 is attached to a vehicle body BD. The vehicle lamp 1 is, for example, an accessory lamp disposed at the front or rear of the vehicle. The vehicle lamp 1 is attached to the vehicle body BD, such as a bumper or grill, and is used decoratively and also functions as a marker lamp that improves the visibility of the vehicle. The vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment can also be applied to lamps other than accessory lamps.

[0013] The vehicle lamp 1 includes a first light-emitting unit 2 and a second light-emitting unit 4. In this embodiment, the first light-emitting unit 2 is frame-shaped, and the second light-emitting unit 4 is disposed inside the frame of the first light-emitting unit 2. Therefore, when viewed from the front of the lamp, the first light-emitting unit 2 surrounds the entire periphery of the second light-emitting unit 4.

[0014] The first light emitting unit 2 includes a first light source 6 and a light guide plate 8. The first light source 6 is, for example, an LED (light emitting diode) and emits a first light L1. The first light source 6 may be a semiconductor light emitting element other than an LED, such as an LD (laser diode) or an organic or inorganic EL (electroluminescence). The first light source 6 may be an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a discharge lamp, or the like. The first light emitting unit 2 of this embodiment has a plurality of first light sources 6. For example, the plurality of first light sources 6 are arranged to surround the entire circumference of the second light emitting unit 4 at a predetermined interval from each other. The posture of each first light source 6 is determined so as to emit the first light L1 toward the front of the lamp.

[0015] The light guide plate 8 is made of a resin having light transmissibility. Examples of resins that make up the light guide plate 8 include polycarbonate, polypropylene, acrylic, ASA (acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), etc. The light guide plate 8 includes a front surface 8a facing the outside of the lamp, a back surface 8b facing the inside of the lamp, and an end surface 8c connecting the front surface 8a and the back surface 8b.

[0016] The light guide plate 8 of this embodiment has an annular plate portion 10 and a protruding portion 12. The annular plate portion 10 is flat and frame-shaped, with the main surface facing the front-to-rear direction of the lamp. The protruding portion 12 is annular, and protrudes from the inner peripheral end of the annular plate portion 10 toward the rear of the lamp. The main surface of the annular plate portion 10 facing the front side of the lamp corresponds to the front surface 8a. The main surface of the annular plate portion 10 facing the rear side of the lamp corresponds to the back surface 8b. The top surface of the protruding portion 12 facing the rear side of the lamp corresponds to the end face 8c.

[0017] The annular plate portion 10 and the protruding portion 12 are integrally molded. In this embodiment, "integrally molded" does not mean that two originally separate members are fixed to each other by welding, adhesive, or the like, but rather that the structures of the respective portions are built into a single object obtained by a known molding process such as injection molding.

[0018] A first half mirror layer 14 is provided on the front surface 8a. The first half mirror layer 14 can be formed by half-evaporating a metal such as aluminum onto the front surface 8a. A light reflecting element 16 is provided on the back surface 8b. The light reflecting element 16 can be composed of a known reflecting step or the like. The end surface 8c is disposed to face the first light source 6, and has an incident portion 18 for the first light L1.

[0019] The first light L1 emitted by the first light source 6 enters the light guide plate 8 from the entrance portion 18. The first light L1 that enters the light guide plate 8 travels straight through the inside of the protrusion 12 toward the annular plate portion 10, or travels toward the annular plate portion 10 while being internally reflected inside the protrusion 12. The first light L1 that reaches the inner peripheral end of the annular plate portion 10 travels inside the annular plate portion 10 toward the outer peripheral end. In this process, the first light L1 is reflected by the light reflecting element 16 toward the surface 8a. A part of the first light L1 that reaches the surface 8a is transmitted through the first half mirror layer 14 and irradiated forward of the lamp. The remainder of the first light L1 that reaches the surface 8a is reflected by the first half mirror layer 14 toward the back surface 8b. In this way, reflection by the light reflecting element 16 and transmission and reflection by the first half mirror layer 14 are repeated, causing the entire surface 8a to emit light.

[0020] The second light emitting unit 4 includes a second light source 20, a reflector 22, and a cover 24. The second light source 20 is, for example, an LED, and emits the second light L2. The second light source 20 may be a semiconductor light emitting element such as an LD, an organic or inorganic EL, an incandescent bulb, a halogen lamp, a discharge bulb, or the like. The second light emitting unit 4 of this embodiment has a plurality of second light sources 20. For example, the plurality of second light sources 20 are arranged around the entire circumference of the second light emitting unit 4 at a predetermined interval from each other, forming an annular light source image 28. In addition, the position of each second light source 20 is determined so as to emit the second light L2 toward the front of the lamp.

[0021] The reflector 22 has a structure in which a metal film such as aluminum is provided on the main surface of a flat plate made of, for example, resin. This metal film constitutes the light reflecting surface 22a. The metal film can be formed by evaporating a metal onto the main surface of the flat plate. The reflector 22 is positioned so that the light reflecting surface 22a faces forward of the lamp, and is disposed in an area surrounded by the multiple second light sources 20.

[0022] The cover 24 is made of a translucent resin. The resin constituting the cover 24 can be, for example, the same as that of the light guide plate 8. The cover 24 covers the front side of the reflector 22. The reflector 22 and the cover 24 face each other across a predetermined space in the front-rear direction of the lamp. Moreover, the cover 24 of this embodiment also covers the front side of the second light source 20.

[0023] The cover 24 is plate-shaped with a main surface facing the front-rear direction of the lamp, and its peripheral edge is connected to the protrusion 12. Therefore, when viewed from the front of the lamp, the entire periphery of the cover 24 is surrounded by the light guide plate 8. In this embodiment, the light guide plate 8 and the cover 24 are integrally molded. This makes it possible to reduce the number of parts of the vehicle lamp 1 and simplify the manufacturing process of the vehicle lamp 1.

[0024] A second half mirror layer 26 is provided on the surface of the cover 24 facing the front side of the lamp. The second half mirror layer 26 can be formed by half-depositing a metal such as aluminum on the surface of the cover 24. The first half mirror layer 14 and the second half mirror layer 26 of this embodiment are continuous with each other. When the light guide plate 8 and the cover 24 are an integrally molded product, the first half mirror layer 14 and the second half mirror layer 26 can be formed collectively by performing a half-deposition process on the surface of the molded product. Preferably, the first half mirror layer 14 and the second half mirror layer 26 are covered and protected by a top coat layer. The second half mirror layer 26 may be provided on the back surface of the cover 24 facing the rear side of the lamp.

[0025] The second light L2 emitted by the second light source 20 first travels toward the cover 24. The second light L2 that reaches the cover 24 enters the cover 24 from the rear surface thereof and reaches the front surface. A portion of the second light L2 that reaches the front surface passes through the second half mirror layer 26 and is irradiated forward of the lamp. The remainder of the second light L2 that reaches the front surface is reflected by the second half mirror layer 26 toward the reflector 22. The second light L2 that reaches the reflector 22 is reflected by the light reflecting surface 22a of the reflector 22 toward the cover 24.

[0026] In this way, reflection by the reflector 22 and transmission and reflection by the second half mirror layer 26 are repeated, and the second light L2 is multiple-reflected between the reflector 22 and the cover 24, forming a light source image 28 (real image) and multiple virtual images 28a having similar shapes. In the process of multiple reflection, the position at which the second light L2 reaches the second half mirror layer 26 of the cover 24 gradually shifts from the outer edge side to the center side. Therefore, the light source image 28 is formed on the outermost side, and multiple virtual images 28a are formed inside the light source image 28. The multiple virtual images 28a become gradually smaller as they approach the center of the cover 24. The arrangement, shape, number, etc. of the light source image 28 and the multiple virtual images 28a are not particularly limited.

[0027] The vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment includes a substrate 30 on which both the first light source 6 and the second light source 20 are mounted. Wiring is laid on the substrate 30, and each light source is electrically connected to this wiring. The substrate 30 is fixed to the vehicle body BD via a base 32. A reflector 22 is also mounted on the substrate 30. By mounting the first light source 6 and the second light source 20 on the common substrate 30, the number of parts of the vehicle lamp 1 can be reduced, and the manufacturing process of the vehicle lamp 1 can be simplified. In addition, the vehicle lamp 1 can be easily installed in a place with a narrow depth.

[0028] The vehicle lamp 1 of the present embodiment also includes a waterproof cover 34 that seals the first light source 6 and the second light source 20 liquid-tight. The waterproof cover 34 is made of a resin having translucency. The resin that constitutes the waterproof cover 34 can be the same as that of the light guide plate 8. The waterproof cover 34 is roughly in the shape of a rectangular bowl, and is oriented so that the opening faces the rear side of the lamp, and the peripheral portion is fixed to the base 32. The base 32 and the waterproof cover 34 define a light source chamber that is sealed liquid-tight. The first light source 6, the second light source 20, the reflector 22, and the substrate 30 are housed in this light source chamber. The waterproof cover 34 extends between the first light source 6 and the protruding portion 12, and between the second light source 20 and the cover 24. By sealing each light source liquid-tight with the waterproof cover 34, the reliability of the vehicle lamp 1 can be improved.

[0029] As described above, the vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment includes the first light emitting unit 2. In the first light emitting unit 2, the first light L1 emitted from the first light source 6 enters the light guide plate 8 from the end surface 8c, and is repeatedly reflected between the light reflecting element 16 on the back surface 8b and the first half mirror layer 14 on the front surface 8a. Then, the first light L1 gradually passes through the first half mirror layer 14 and is irradiated forward of the lamp. Therefore, it is possible to arrange only the light guide plate 8 in the part of the vehicle body BD that is desired to be illuminated, and arrange the first light source 6 in a position away from the part that is desired to be illuminated. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to illuminate even a part of the vehicle body BD that has a depth only equal to the thickness of the light guide plate 8.

[0030] In addition, the first half mirror layer 14 is provided on the surface 8a of the light guide plate 8. Therefore, the light guide plate 8 looks like a metal plate from outside the lamp. Therefore, vehicle body structures and dirt located on the back side of the light guide plate 8 are difficult to see through the light guide plate 8. In addition, the light reflecting elements 16 on the back side 8b are also difficult to see. In particular, by providing the first half mirror layer 14, it is possible to improve the appearance of the vehicle lamp 1 when the first light source 6 is not lit. Therefore, according to the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to achieve both light emission in a narrow depth portion and the difficulty in seeing vehicle body structures behind the lamp.

[0031] The vehicle lamp 1 also includes a second light emitting unit 4. In the second light emitting unit 4, the second light L2 emitted from the second light source 20 is irradiated forward of the lamp while being multiple-reflected between the reflector 22 and the second half mirror layer 26. This makes it possible to realize a lighting appearance that gives a sense of depth beyond the actual depth of the installation space of the second light emitting unit 4. In addition, the entire periphery of the cover 24 is surrounded by the light guide plate 8, the entire surface 8a of which emits light substantially uniformly. This makes it possible to emphasize the lighting appearance that gives a sense of depth formed by the second light emitting unit 4. Therefore, the appearance of the vehicle lamp 1 can be improved. Note that the vehicle lamp 1 does not necessarily need to include the second light emitting unit 4.

[0032] The above describes the embodiments of the present invention in detail. The above-mentioned embodiments merely show specific examples of implementing the present invention. The contents of the embodiments do not limit the technical scope of the present invention, and many design changes such as changes, additions, and deletions of components are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. A new embodiment with design changes has the effects of the combined embodiments and modifications. In the above-mentioned embodiments, the contents for which such design changes are possible are emphasized by adding notations such as "in this embodiment" and "in this embodiment", but design changes are permitted even in contents without such notations. Any combination of the above-mentioned components is also effective as an aspect of the present invention. The hatching on the cross section of the drawing does not limit the material of the object to which the hatching is added.

[0033] The invention according to the above-described embodiment may be specified by the items described below. [1st item] A first light source (6) that emits a first light (L1); a light guide plate (8) including a surface (8a) having a first half mirror layer (14) and facing the outside of the lamp, a back surface (8b) having a light reflecting element (16) and facing the inside of the lamp, and an end surface (8c) having an incident portion (18) for a first light (L1) and connecting the surface (8a) and the back surface (8b), The incident portion (18) causes the first light (L1) to enter the light guide plate (8), The light reflecting element (16) reflects the first light (L1) traveling through the light guide plate (8) toward the surface (8a); The first half mirror layer (14) transmits a part of the first light (L1) forward of the lamp and reflects the remainder of the first light (L1) toward the back surface (8b). Vehicle lighting fixtures (1). [Second item] a second light source (20) that emits a second light (L2); A reflector (22) that reflects the second light (L2); a cover (24) having a second half mirror layer (26) and covering the front side of the reflector (22), The reflector (22) reflects the second light (L2) toward the cover (24), The second half mirror layer (26) transmits a portion of the second light (L2) forward of the lamp and reflects the remainder of the second light (L2) toward the reflector (22). A vehicle lamp (1) as described in the first item. [3rd item] A substrate (30) is provided on which both the first light source (6) and the second light source (20) are mounted. A vehicle lamp (1) as described in item 2. [4th item] A waterproof cover (34) is provided to liquid-tightly seal the first light source (6) and the second light source (20). A vehicle lamp (1) according to item 2 or 3. [Item 5] The light guide plate (8) and the cover (24) are integrally molded. A vehicle lamp (1) according to any one of the second to fourth items. [Item 6] When viewed from the front of the lamp, the light guide plate (8) surrounds the entire periphery of the cover (24). A vehicle lamp (1) according to any one of the second to fifth items. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1 vehicle lamp, 6 first light source, 8 light guide plate, 14 first half mirror layer, 16 light reflecting element, 18 incident portion, 20 second light source, 22 reflector, 24 cover, 26 second half mirror layer, 30 substrate, 34 waterproof cover.

Claims

1. A first light source that emits a first light; a light guide plate including a surface having a first half mirror layer and facing the outside of the lamp, a back surface having a light reflecting element and facing the inside of the lamp, and an end surface having an incident portion of the first light and connecting the front surface and the back surface; the incidence portion causes the first light to be incident into the light guide plate, The light reflecting element reflects the first light traveling through the light guide plate toward the surface, The first half mirror layer transmits a portion of the first light forward of the lamp and reflects the remainder of the first light toward the back surface. Vehicle lighting fixtures.

2. A second light source that emits a second light; a reflector that reflects the second light; a cover having a second half mirror layer and covering the front side of the reflector, The reflector reflects the second light toward the cover, The second half mirror layer transmits a portion of the second light forward toward the lamp and reflects the remainder of the second light toward the reflector.

2. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

3. a substrate carrying both the first light source and the second light source; 3. A vehicle lamp according to claim 2.

4. a waterproof cover that liquid-tightly seals the first light source and the second light source; 4. A vehicle lamp according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The light guide plate and the cover are integrally molded.

4. A vehicle lamp according to claim 2 or 3.

6. When viewed from the front of the lamp, the light guide plate surrounds the entire periphery of the cover.

4. A vehicle lamp according to claim 2 or 3.

Images