Vehicular lighting

Abstract

To provide, as a configuration of a vehicular lighting arranged at the front or back of a vehicle, a configuration that allows a lighting unit for forming a horizontally asymmetrical light distribution pattern to be efficiently arranged in a space in a case where the lighting unit is stored in a lighting chamber formed with a lamp body and a translucent cover.SOLUTION: A lighting unit 40R has a configuration including: a first lens part 60 as a translucent member 50 that controls transmittance of light emitted from a light-emitting element 42; a second lens part 70 that extends in a direction inclined to a lighting rear side outwardly in a vehicle width direction on the front side of the lighting; and a connection plate part 80 that connects these at an outward end part in the vehicle width direction, thereby the lighting unit 40R can be arranged efficiently in a space. In addition, a plurality of lens elements 74s formed on a rear surface 74 of the second lens part 70 has a configuration having a stepped horizontal cross-sectional shape, thereby transmittance control by the second lens part 70 is performed accurately.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp to be placed at the front or rear of a vehicle, and in particular to a vehicle lamp in which a lamp unit for forming an asymmetric light distribution pattern is housed within a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a translucent cover. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A known vehicle lamp includes a light source and a light-transmitting member that controls the transmission of light emitted from the light source.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes such a vehicle lamp in which the light-transmitting member is configured as a plate-like member extending along a horizontal plane.

[0004] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes a configuration of a translucent member in such a vehicle lamp that includes a first lens portion, a second lens portion arranged at a position away from the first lens portion toward the front of the lamp, and a connecting plate portion that connects the first and second lens portions at their upper ends. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-49977 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2017-112065 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The light-transmitting member described in the above-mentioned "Patent Document 1" is formed as a thick plate-like mass, and therefore is quite heavy. On the other hand, by adopting the light-transmitting member described in the above-mentioned "Patent Document 2", it is possible to reduce the weight.

[0007] In the configuration of a vehicle lamp disposed at the front or rear of a vehicle, when a lamp unit (such as a turn signal lamp) for forming an asymmetric light distribution pattern is housed in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a translucent cover, the translucent cover is generally formed so that an area located on the front side of the lamp of the lamp unit extends in a direction inclined toward the rear side of the lamp toward the outside in the vehicle width direction in order to ensure a sufficient lateral visibility angle as a marker lamp. Even in such a vehicle lamp, it is desirable to store the lamp unit in the lamp chamber with high space efficiency.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp configured to be placed at the front or rear of a vehicle, in which a lamp unit for forming an asymmetric light distribution pattern is housed in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a translucent cover, and in which the lamp unit can be arranged in a space-efficient manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention is intended to achieve the above object by improving the configuration of the light-transmitting member.

[0010] That is, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is A vehicle lamp to be disposed at the front or rear of a vehicle, the vehicle lamp including a lamp unit for forming an asymmetric light distribution pattern housed in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a light-transmitting cover, The lighting unit includes a light source and a light-transmitting member that controls transmission of light emitted from the light source, the light-transmitting member includes a first lens portion, a second lens portion disposed at a position away from the first lens portion toward the front side of the lamp, and a connecting plate portion connecting the first and second lens portions at an outer end portion in a vehicle width direction, The first lens portion is configured to emit light emitted from the light source toward the second lens portion, The second lens portion is configured to emit the light emitted from the first lens portion toward a front of the lamp as diffused light, The second lens portion is formed so as to extend in a direction inclined toward the rear side of the lamp toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, The second lens portion has a front surface and a rear surface formed with a plurality of lens elements, and the plurality of lens elements formed on the rear surface have a stepped horizontal cross-sectional shape.

[0011] The type of vehicle on which the above-mentioned "vehicle lamp" is mounted is not particularly limited, and for example, two-wheeled vehicles, four-wheeled vehicles, etc. can be adopted.

[0012] The above-mentioned "lamp unit" is not limited to a specific type of lamp unit as long as it is configured to form an asymmetric light distribution pattern. For example, a front turn signal lamp unit or a rear turn signal lamp unit can be used, and in addition, a clearance lamp unit or a tail lamp unit can also be used.

[0013] The type of the "light source" is not particularly limited, and for example, a light emitting diode, a laser diode, etc. can be used.

[0014] The specific shape of the above-mentioned "connecting plate portion" is not particularly limited as long as it is configured to connect the first and second lens portions at their outer ends in the vehicle width direction.

[0015] The "first lens portion" is not particularly limited in its specific shape as long as it is configured to emit light emitted from the light source toward the second lens portion.

[0016] The "second lens portion" is formed so as to extend in a direction inclined toward the rear of the lamp toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, but the specific angle of inclination is not particularly limited.

[0017] The above-mentioned "second lens portion" has a plurality of lens elements formed on its front and rear surfaces in order to emit the light emitted from the first lens portion as diffused light toward the front of the lamp, but the specific shape of each of the plurality of lens elements formed on its front surface is not particularly limited, and the specific shape of each of the plurality of lens elements formed on its rear surface is not particularly limited as long as they have a stepped horizontal cross-sectional shape. Effect of the Invention

[0018] The vehicle lamp of the present invention is a vehicle lamp arranged at the front or rear of a vehicle, and is configured so that a lamp unit for forming an asymmetric light distribution pattern is housed within a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a translucent cover. In this lamp unit, the translucent member that controls the transmission of light emitted from the light source is configured to include a first lens portion, a second lens portion arranged at a position away from the first lens portion toward the front of the lamp, and a connecting plate portion that connects these at the outer end in the vehicle width direction, thereby making it possible to reduce the weight of the lamp.

[0019] Furthermore, the first lens portion is configured to emit light from the light source toward the second lens portion, and the second lens portion is configured to emit light from the first lens portion as diffused light toward the front of the lamp, so that the light distribution function of the lamp unit to form an asymmetric light distribution pattern can be easily ensured.

[0020] In this case, since the second lens portion is formed so as to extend in a direction inclined toward the rear of the lamp toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, when molding the light-transmitting member, the portion surrounded by the first lens portion, the second lens portion, and the connecting plate portion can be molded smoothly. Also, since the light-transmitting cover of a vehicle lamp is generally formed so that the area located on the front side of the lamp unit extends in a direction inclined toward the rear of the lamp toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, by forming the second lens portion of the light-transmitting member to extend in a direction inclined toward the rear of the lamp toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, the lamp unit can be arranged with good space efficiency.

[0021] Furthermore, since a plurality of lens elements are formed on the front and rear surfaces of the second lens portion, respectively, the light diffusion function of the first lens portion can be sufficiently maintained. Moreover, since the plurality of lens elements formed on the rear surface of the second lens portion have a stepped horizontal cross-sectional shape, the second lens portion can accurately control the transmission of the light incident from the first lens portion.

[0022] Thus, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp configured to be placed at the front or rear of a vehicle, when a lamp unit for forming an asymmetric light distribution pattern is housed within a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a translucent cover, the lamp unit can be arranged in a space-efficient manner.

[0023] In the above configuration, if some of the multiple lens elements formed on the front surface of the second lens portion are configured as side-illumination elements that totally reflect the light emitted from the first lens portion and emit it outward in the vehicle width direction, an asymmetric light distribution pattern can be formed as a light distribution pattern that expands greatly outward in the vehicle width direction, thereby enhancing the light distribution function of the lighting unit for forming an asymmetric light distribution pattern.

[0024] In this case, if the side illumination element is configured to be formed into a plurality of strip-shaped regions that are spaced apart in the vehicle width direction and extend in the vertical direction, side illumination to the outside in the vehicle width direction can be performed smoothly.

[0025] Furthermore, in this case, if the band-shaped region located at the inner end in the vehicle width direction among the multiple band-shaped regions is configured to extend along the inner end face in the vehicle width direction of the second lens portion, even if other lamp components such as an extension panel are arranged on the front side of the second lens portion, it is possible to prevent the light emitted from the second lens portion from being inadvertently blocked by this lamp component.

[0026] In the above configuration, if the rear surface of the first lens portion is further configured to have a central region where light emitted from the light source is incident in a direction toward the front of the lamp, and a peripheral region around this central region where light emitted from the light source is incident in a direction away from the front of the lamp and then totally reflected in a direction toward the front of the lamp, and if the peripheral region is configured so that the region toward the inside in the vehicle width direction is formed in the shape of a single convex curved surface and the region toward the outside in the vehicle width direction is formed in the shape of a multiple convex curved surface, the following effects can be obtained.

[0027] That is, the second lens part into which the light emitted from the first lens part is incident is connected to the connecting plate part at its outer end in the vehicle width direction, while its inner end in the vehicle width direction is discontinued as an inner end face in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, even if a part of the light emitted from the first lens part is directed toward the second lens part in a direction slightly protruding from the outer end in the vehicle width direction, this light reaches the connecting part between the first lens part and the connecting plate part, but if the light is directed toward the inner end in the vehicle width direction, this light will be directed directly toward the translucent cover, which may cause glare light.

[0028] Therefore, if the peripheral area on the rear surface of the first lens portion is configured so that the area toward the inside in the vehicle width direction is formed into a single convex curved surface, it becomes easy to configure the total reflected light from this area to reach the second lens portion, and if the area toward the outside in the vehicle width direction is formed into a multiple convex curved surface, the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the light source can be increased.

[0029] In the above configuration, if the vehicle lamp is further configured such that no lamp units other than the lamp unit are arranged in the space within the lamp chamber outside the lamp unit in the vehicle width direction, it becomes possible to arrange the second lens portion and the connecting plate portion of the translucent member in accordance with the shape of the translucent cover, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the vehicle lamp. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] Cross-sectional view of line II-II in Figure 1 [Diagram 3] Detailed view of part III in Fig. 2 [Figure 4] IV arrow view of Figure 3 [Diagram 5] (a) is a view taken in the direction of the Va arrow in FIG. 4, and (b) is a view taken in the direction of the Vb arrow in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIa-VIa in FIG. 5, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIb-VIb in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cross section of a light-transmitting member of a lamp unit in the vehicle lamp taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 8] Detailed view of part VIII in Fig. 3 [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a light distribution pattern formed by light irradiated from the lamp units, in which FIG. 1A shows a light distribution pattern formed by light irradiated from the right lamp unit, and FIG. 1B shows a light distribution pattern formed by light irradiated from the left lamp unit. [Figure 10]FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a modification of the above embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0032] Fig. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1.

[0033] 1 and 2, the direction indicated by X is the "forward" direction of the vehicular lamp 10 (also "forward" in terms of the vehicle), the direction indicated by Y is the "leftward" direction of the vehicular lamp 10 (also "leftward" in terms of the vehicle), and the direction indicated by Z is the "upward" direction. This is the same in other figures besides FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle lamp 10 of this embodiment is a lamp placed at the front of a two-wheeled vehicle, and is configured to house a pair of upper and lower lamp units 20H, 20L and two pairs of left and right lamp units 30L, 30R and 40L, 40R within a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a plain, translucent cover 14 attached to the front end opening of the lamp body 12.

[0035] The pair of upper and lower lamp units 20H, 20L are both headlamp units, and the lower lamp unit 20L is configured to light up during low beam illumination, and the upper lamp unit 20H is configured to additionally light up during high beam illumination.

[0036] The lamp unit 20L includes a light emitting element 22 as a light source, and a projection lens 24 that controls the transmission of light emitted from the light emitting element 22.

[0037] The light emitting element 22 is a white light emitting diode, and is supported by the lamp body 12 via a substrate 26. The projection lens 24 is also supported by the lamp body 12 via a support structure (not shown). The projection lens 24 has a circular outer shape when viewed from the front of the lamp. This is the same for the lamp unit 20H.

[0038] The pair of lamp units 30L, 30R located on both the left and right sides of the pair of upper and lower lamp units 20H, 20L are both clearance lamp units, and are arranged in a symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the pair of upper and lower lamp units 20H, 20L, and have a symmetrical configuration.

[0039] Each of the pair of left and right lamp units 30L, 30R includes a light emitting element 32 as a light source, and a lens 34 that controls the transmission of light emitted from the light emitting element 32.

[0040] The light emitting element 32 is a white light emitting diode, and is supported by the lamp body 12 via a substrate 36. The lens 34 is also supported by the lamp body 12 via a support structure (not shown). The lens 34 has a plurality of lens elements 34s formed on its front surface, and has an outer shape of a parallelogram that extends obliquely upward toward the outside in the vehicle width direction when the lamp is viewed from the front.

[0041] A pair of lamp units 40L, 40R located on the left and right sides of the pair of left and right lamp units 30L, 30R are both front turn signal lamp units and are equipped with a light-emitting element 42 as a light source and a translucent member 50 that controls the transmission of light emitted from the light-emitting element 42.

[0042] The light emitting element 42 is an amber light emitting diode, and is supported by the lamp body 12 via a substrate 46. The light transmitting member 50 is made of a colorless and transparent resin member, and is supported by the lamp body 12 via a support structure described below. The light transmitting member 50 has a rectangular outer shape that extends obliquely upward toward the outside in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front of the lamp, and is formed to expand upward. The specific configuration of the light transmitting member 50 will be described later.

[0043] The light-transmitting cover 14 is formed so as to extend obliquely from a position in front of the lamps with respect to the pair of upper and lower lamp units 20H, 20L toward the rear of the lamps on both the left and right sides.

[0044] Within the lamp chamber of the vehicle lamp 10, an extension panel 16 is arranged at a position on the front side of the lamp that surrounds the pair of upper and lower lamp units 20H, 20L and the two pairs of left and right lamp units 30L, 30R and 40L, 40R.

[0045] The extension panel 16 is disposed so as to extend at a substantially constant distance from the translucent cover 14. In this extension panel 16, an opening 16a is formed on the front side of the lamps of a pair of upper and lower lamp units 20H, 20L, and openings 16b, 16c are formed on the front sides of the lamps of two pairs of left and right lamp units 30L, 30R and 40L, 40R, respectively.

[0046] The opening 16a has a circular opening shape corresponding to the outer shape of each projection lens 24 of the pair of upper and lower lamp units 20H, 20L, and is formed to extend in a substantially cylindrical shape toward the rear of the lamp. The opening 16b has a parallelogram opening shape corresponding to the outer shape of each of the pair of left and right lamp units 30L, 30R. Furthermore, the opening 16c has a rectangular opening shape corresponding to the outer shape of each of the pair of left and right lamp units 40L, 40R.

[0047] Next, a specific configuration of the right-side (left-side when viewed from the front of the lamp) front turn signal lamp unit 40R will be described. As described above, the left-side lamp unit 40L has a symmetrical configuration with the lamp unit 40R.

[0048] Fig. 3 is a detailed view of part III in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a view seen in the direction of arrow IV in Fig. 3. Fig. 5(a) is a view seen in the direction of arrow Va in Fig. 4, and Fig. 5(b) is a view seen in the direction of arrow Vb in Fig. 4. Fig. 6(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIa-VIa in Fig. 5, and Fig. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIb-VIb in Fig. 5.

[0049] 3 to 6, the light-transmitting member 50 includes a first lens portion 60, a second lens portion 70 disposed at a position away from the first lens portion 60 toward the front side of the lamp, and a connecting plate portion 80 that connects the first and second lens portions 60, 70 at their outer ends in the vehicle width direction. The light-emitting elements 42 are disposed at three locations at equal intervals in the vertical direction.

[0050] The first lens section 60 has three lens body sections 64 arranged above and below a plate-shaped section 62 extending along a vertical plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the lamp. The three lens body sections 64 are arranged so as to be located in the front direction of the lamp with respect to the three light-emitting elements 42. The first lens section 60 is configured to emit light emitted from the three light-emitting elements 42 toward the second lens section 70 through the three lens body sections 64.

[0051] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the second lens portion 70 is formed so as to extend in a direction inclined toward the rear of the lamp toward the outside in the vehicle width direction in a rearward tilted state, and is configured to emit the light emitted from the first lens portion 60 as diffused light toward the front of the lamp.

[0052] Next, the detailed structure of the light-transmitting member 50 will be described.

[0053] First, the detailed structure of the second lens unit 70 will be described.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the second lens portion 70 is formed so that its transversely inner end face 70a extends vertically upward in a direction slightly inclined outward in the transverse direction, its transversely outer end face 70b extends at an inclination angle slightly larger than that of the transversely inner end face 70a, its lower end face 70c extends in a direction inclined slightly upward toward the transversely outer side, and its upper end face 70d extends at an inclination angle slightly larger than that of the lower end face 70c.

[0055] The front surface 72 of the second lens unit 70 is divided into a plurality of strip-shaped regions 72A arranged at regular intervals in the vehicle width direction so as to extend in a substantially vertical direction (specifically, in a direction parallel to the vehicle width direction inner end surface 70a of the second lens unit 70). A plurality of lens elements 72s1, 72s2 are formed in each of the plurality of strip-shaped regions 72A. At this time, the plurality of lens elements 72s1 are configured as diffusion lens elements, and the plurality of lens elements 72s2 are configured as side irradiation elements. The specific configuration of the plurality of lens elements 72s1, 72s2 will be described later.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 6(b), a plurality of lens elements 74s are formed on the rear surface 74 of the second lens portion .

[0057] That is, the rear surface 74 of the second lens portion 70 is divided into a square lattice pattern approximately in the vertical and horizontal directions (specifically, in directions parallel to and perpendicular to the vehicle width direction inner end surface 70a of the second lens portion 70), and a lens element 74s is assigned to each of the square lattice patterns.

[0058] Each of the lens elements 74s is formed in a flat shape and gradually thickens toward the inner edge and the lower edge in the vehicle width direction. That is, the lens elements 74s are formed in a stepped shape in the left-right and up-down directions. As a result, the lens elements 74s are configured to deflect the light emitted from the first lens unit 60 toward the front of the lamp and cause it to enter the second lens unit 70.

[0059] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the light-transmitting member 50 at the position of a cross section taken along line VII-VII in Fig. 6(a), and Fig. 8 is a detailed view of part VIII in Fig. 3.

[0060] 7 and 8, each of the lens elements 72s1 is a convex diffusing lens element having a substantially square outer shape in a front view of the lamp, and is configured to emit incident light from the rear surface 74 of the second lens portion 70 as light diffused in the up-down and left-right directions. On the other hand, each of the lens elements 72s2 is a side-illuminating element having a vertically elongated rectangular outer shape in a front view of the lamp and a convex curved surface shape, and is configured to totally reflect incident light from the rear surface 74 of the second lens portion 70 to emit it as light diffused in the up-down direction toward the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0061] In each of the plurality of strip-shaped regions 72A, the plurality of lens elements 72s1 are arranged in two left and right rows aligned in the up-down direction, and the plurality of lens elements 72s2 are arranged in a single row aligned in the up-down direction on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. That is, in the strip-shaped region 72A located at the inner end in the vehicle width direction among the plurality of strip-shaped regions 72A, the plurality of lens elements 72s2 are formed to extend along the inner end surface 70a in the vehicle width direction of the second lens portion 70.

[0062] In each of the plurality of band-shaped regions 72A, the plurality of lens elements 72s2 are formed to protrude significantly toward the front side of the lamp relative to the plurality of lens elements 72s1 adjacent thereto on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, so that the light emitted from the plurality of lens elements 72s2 is smoothly irradiated to the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Note that a slight step is also formed between the plurality of lens elements 72s1 adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction.

[0063] Next, the detailed structure of the first lens unit 60 will be described.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 4, each of the three lens body portions 64 constituting the first lens portion 60 has its front surface 64a formed flush with the plate-shaped portion 62, and its rear surface 64b composed of a central region 64bA and a peripheral region 64bB.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 3, the lens body 64 is configured to cause the light emitted from the light-emitting element 42 to be incident around a central region 64bA of the rear surface 64 in a direction away from the front of the lamp, and then to be totally reflected in a peripheral region 64bB of the rear surface 64 in a direction closer to the front of the lamp.

[0066] 5(b), the central region 64bA is formed in a Fresnel lens shape, while the peripheral region 64bB has a region 64bB1 closer to the inside in the vehicle width direction formed in a single convex curved surface and a region 64bB2 closer to the outside in the vehicle width direction formed in a multiple convex curved surface.

[0067] 4 and 6(a), an arc-shaped auxiliary lens portion 64aB is formed in a multi-convex curved shape in an area located on the front side of the lamp of the outer periphery of the peripheral area 64bB on the front surface 64a of the lens main body portion 64. This allows more light emitted from the lens main body portion 64 to be incident on the second lens portion 70.

[0068] Next, the detailed structure of the connection plate portion 80 will be described.

[0069] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the connecting plate portion 80 is formed to have a substantially constant thickness and is formed to extend from the outer end portion of the second lens portion 70 in the vehicle width direction toward the rear of the lamp at a slight inward inclination in the vehicle width direction.

[0070] In this case, the connecting plate portion 80 is formed in an arc shape such that its upper end portion 82 surrounds the peripheral region 64aB of the lens main body portion 64 located at the uppermost stage of the first lens portion 60. The connecting plate portion 80 is also formed such that its uppermost end portion 84 extends obliquely upward along the upper edge of the light-transmitting member 50 to the outer end in the vehicle width direction. Meanwhile, the connecting plate portion 80 is formed such that its lower end portion 86 extends obliquely downward along the lower edge of the light-transmitting member 50 to the inner end in the vehicle width direction.

[0071] The light-transmitting member 50 is formed with a pair of upper and lower flange portions 52, 54 extending upward and downward from the rear end positions of the uppermost end portion 84 and the lower end portion 86 of the connecting plate portion 80. The pair of upper and lower flange portions 52, 54 are formed with screw insertion holes 52a, 54a for fastening the light-transmitting member 50 to the lamp body 12 with screws.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 3, in the lamp unit 40R, light that is emitted from the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 42 and then enters the lens body portion 64 of the first lens portion 60 of the light-transmitting member 50 becomes light traveling toward the second lens portion 70.

[0073] In this case, the central region 64bA of the lens body portion 64 is configured to emit light emitted from the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 42 in a direction toward the front of the lamp (i.e., in a direction parallel to the optical axis Ax extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the lamp, passing through the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 42).

[0074] On the other hand, the peripheral region 64bB of the lens main body 64 is configured to emit light emitted from the light emitting center of the light emitting element 42 in a direction slightly closer to the optical axis Ax toward the second lens unit 70. This prevents light emitted from a region 64bB1 closer to the inside in the vehicle width direction in the peripheral region 64b from going beyond the inner end surface 70a in the vehicle width direction of the second lens unit 70. This also prevents light that is totally reflected by a region 64bB2 closer to the outside in the vehicle width direction in the peripheral region 64b and then enters the connecting plate unit 80 without being emitted from the first lens unit 60, is totally reflected by the inner surface 80a in the vehicle width direction of the connecting plate unit 80 and reaches the second lens unit 70.

[0075] FIG. 9(a) is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern PR for a front turn signal lamp formed by light emitted from the right lamp unit 40R.

[0076] As shown in Figure 9(a), the light distribution pattern PR for the front turn signal lamp is a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern that extends in both left and right directions from the center of the VV line that passes vertically through HV, which is the vanishing point in front of the lamp, and is formed as an asymmetric light distribution pattern that extends more to the right than to the left.

[0077] This is because a portion of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 42 that enters the second lens portion 70 through the first lens portion 60 is totally reflected by the multiple lens elements 72s2 and then emitted in a direction that is significantly inclined outward in the vehicle width direction (i.e., to the right) relative to the front direction of the lamp.

[0078] FIG. 9(b) is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern PL for a front turn signal lamp formed by light emitted from the left lamp unit 40L.

[0079] As shown in Fig. 9(b), the light distribution pattern PL for the front turn signal lamp is formed as a light distribution pattern symmetrical to the light distribution pattern PR for the front turn signal lamp shown in Fig. 9(a) because the left lamp unit 40L has a symmetrical configuration to the right lamp unit 40R.

[0080] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0081] The vehicle lamp 10 of this embodiment is a lamp placed at the front of a two-wheeled vehicle, and is configured to house a pair of left and right lamp units 40L, 40R for forming front turn signal lamp light distribution patterns PL, PR, which are asymmetric light distribution patterns, within a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a translucent cover 14.In each of the pair of left and right lamp units 40L, 40R, the translucent member 50 that controls the transmission of light emitted from the light-emitting element 42 (light source) includes a first lens portion 60, a second lens portion 70 located away from the first lens portion 60 toward the front of the lamp, and a connecting plate portion 80 that connects these at the outer end in the vehicle width direction, thereby making it possible to reduce the weight of the lamp.

[0082] Furthermore, the first lens portion 60 is configured to emit the light emitted from the light-emitting element 42 toward the second lens portion 70, and the second lens portion 70 is configured to emit the light emitted from the first lens portion 60 as diffused light toward the front of the lamp, so that the light distribution function of the lamp units 40L, 40R for forming the light distribution patterns PL, PR for the front turn signal lamps can be easily ensured.

[0083] In this case, since the second lens portion 70 is formed so as to extend in a direction inclined toward the rear side of the lamp toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, when molding the light-transmitting member 50, it is possible to smoothly mold the portion surrounded by the first lens portion 60, the second lens portion 70, and the connecting plate portion 80. Furthermore, the light-transmitting cover 14 of the vehicle lamp 10 is formed so that the region located on the front side of the lamp units 40L, 40R extends in a direction inclined toward the rear side of the lamp toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, but the second lens portion 70 of the light-transmitting member 50 is also formed so as to extend in a direction inclined toward the rear side of the lamp toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, so that the light units 40L, 40R can be arranged with good space efficiency.

[0084] Furthermore, since a plurality of lens elements 72s1, 72s2 and a plurality of lens elements 74s are formed on the front surface 72 and the rear surface 74 of the second lens unit 70, respectively, it is possible to sufficiently maintain the light diffusion function of the first lens unit 60. Moreover, since the plurality of lens elements 74s formed on the rear surface 74 of the second lens unit 70 have a stepped horizontal cross-sectional shape formed in a direction approaching a vertical plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the lamp, it is possible to precisely control the transmission of the incident light from the first lens unit 60 by the second lens unit 70.

[0085] Thus, according to this embodiment, when the vehicle lamp 10 is configured to be placed at the front of the vehicle and the lamp units 40L, 40R for forming the light distribution patterns PL, PR for the front turn signal lamps are housed within a lamp chamber formed by the lamp body 12 and the translucent cover 14, these lamp units 40L, 40R can be arranged in a space-efficient manner.

[0086] In this embodiment, in response to the second lens portion 70 of the light-transmitting member 50 being tilted backward, the multiple lens elements 74s formed on the rear surface 74 have a stepped vertical cross-sectional shape 74s, so that the second lens portion 70 can precisely control the transmission of light incident from the first lens portion 60.

[0087] Furthermore, in this embodiment, some of the lens elements 72s1, 72s2 formed on the front surface 72 of the second lens portion 70 are configured as lateral illumination elements that totally reflect the light emitted from the first lens portion 60 and emit it outward in the vehicle width direction. This makes it possible to form the light distribution patterns PL, PR for the front turn signal lamps as light distribution patterns that expand significantly outward in the vehicle width direction, thereby enhancing the light distribution function of the lighting units 40L, 40R for forming the light distribution patterns PL, PR for the front turn signal lamps.

[0088] In this case, the multiple lens elements 72s1, 72s2 are formed into multiple strip-shaped regions 72A that are arranged to extend in the vertical direction at intervals in the vehicle width direction, so that lateral irradiation to the outside in the vehicle width direction can be performed smoothly.

[0089] Furthermore, in this case, the strip-shaped region 72A located at the inner end in the vehicle width direction among the multiple strip-shaped regions 72A is arranged to extend along the inner end face 70a in the vehicle width direction of the second lens portion 70. Therefore, even though an extension panel 16 having an opening 16d is arranged on the front side of the lamp of the second lens portion 70, the extension panel 16 does not inadvertently block the light emitted from the second lens portion 70.

[0090] Furthermore, the light-transmitting member 50 is configured to have, as the rear surfaces 64b of the three lens body portions 64 that constitute the first lens portion 60, a central region 64bA that causes the light emitted from the light-emitting element 42 to be incident in a direction toward the front of the lamp, and a peripheral region 64bB that causes the light emitted from the light-emitting element 42 to be incident in a direction away from the front of the lamp around the central region 64bA and then totally reflects it in a direction toward the front of the lamp.In addition, the peripheral region 64bB has a region 64bB1 that is closer to the inside in the vehicle width direction and is formed in the shape of a single convex curved surface, and a region 64bB2 that is closer to the outside in the vehicle width direction and is formed in the shape of a multiple convex curved surface, so that the following effects can be obtained.

[0091] That is, the second lens unit 70 into which the light emitted from the first lens unit 60 is incident is connected to the connecting plate unit 80 at its outer end in the vehicle width direction, while its inner end in the vehicle width direction is discontinued as an inner end surface 70a in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, even if part of the light emitted from the first lens unit 60 heads toward the second lens unit 70 in a direction that slightly protrudes from the outer end in the vehicle width direction, this light reaches the connecting portion between the first lens unit 60 and the connecting plate unit 80, but if the light heads in a direction that protrudes from the inner end in the vehicle width direction, this light will directly head toward the light-transmitting cover 14, which may cause glare light.

[0092] Therefore, if the peripheral region 64bB on the rear surface 64b of the three lens body portions 64 constituting the first lens portion 60 is configured so that the region 64bB1 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction is formed into a single convex curved surface, it becomes easy to configure the total reflected light from this region 64bB1 to reach the second lens portion 70, and if the region 64bB2 toward the outside in the vehicle width direction is formed into a multiple convex curved surface, the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 42 can be improved.

[0093] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 10 of this embodiment, no other lamp units are arranged in the space within the lamp chamber outside the pair of left and right lamp units 40L, 40R in the vehicle width direction, so that it is possible to arrange the second lens portion 70 and the connecting plate portion 80 of the light-transmitting member 50 in accordance with the shape of the light-transmitting cover 14, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the vehicle lamp 10.

[0094] In the above embodiment, the configuration of the light-transmitting member 50 has been described as the first lens portion 60 having three lens body portions 64, but it is also possible to have a configuration having a number of lens body portions 64 other than this.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the configuration of the translucent member 50 has been described as having an upper end portion 82 and a lower end portion 86 formed on the connecting plate portion 80, but it is also possible to have a configuration in which these are not formed.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the vehicle lamp 10 is described as being a lamp arranged at the front of a two-wheeled vehicle, but the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained even when the vehicle lamp 10 is arranged at the rear of a two-wheeled vehicle or at the front or rear of a four-wheeled vehicle, etc.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the lighting units 40L, 40R are described as front turn signal lamp units, but other lighting units such as a rear turn signal lamp unit, a clearance lamp unit, or a tail lamp unit can also be used as long as they are configured to form an asymmetric light distribution pattern.

[0098] Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0099] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a light-transmitting member 150 of a lamp unit according to this modified example.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 10, the basic configuration of the light-transmitting member 150 of this modified example is similar to that of the above embodiment, but differs from that of the above embodiment in that the second lens portion 170 is not tilted backward but is formed so as to extend along a vertical plane, and therefore the configuration of the connecting plate portion 180 also differs partially from that of the above embodiment.

[0101] That is, in this modified example as well, the light-transmitting member 150 includes a first lens portion 160, a second lens portion 170 arranged at a position away from the first lens portion 160 toward the front of the lamp, and a connecting plate portion 180 connecting the first and second lens portions 160, 170 at their outer ends in the vehicle width direction.

[0102] Similar to the first lens portion 60 of the above embodiment, the first lens portion 160 has lens body portions 164 arranged at three locations above and below a plate-shaped portion 162 extending along a vertical plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the lamp.

[0103] Second lens portion 170 is formed so as to extend along a vertical plane, and is formed so as to extend in a direction inclined toward the rear of the lamp and outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0104] The front surface 172 of the second lens portion 170 is divided into a plurality of strip-shaped regions 172A, similar to the second lens portion 70 of the above embodiment, and each of the strip-shaped regions 172A has a plurality of lens elements 172s1, 172s2 formed therein, similar to the above embodiment.

[0105] The rear surface 174 of the second lens portion 170 is divided into vertical stripes, each of which is assigned a lens element 174s.

[0106] Each of the lens elements 174s is formed in a flat shape and gradually thickens toward the inner edge in the vehicle width direction. That is, the lens elements 174s are formed in a stepped shape in the left-right direction. As a result, the lens elements 174s are configured to deflect the light emitted from the first lens portion 160 toward the front of the lamp and cause it to enter the second lens portion 170.

[0107] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, substantially the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0108] It should be noted that the numerical values ​​given as the specifications in the above embodiment and its modified examples are merely examples, and it goes without saying that these may be set to different values ​​as appropriate.

[0109] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiment and its modified examples, and various other modified configurations can be adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 10 Vehicle lighting fixtures 12 Lamp body 14 Translucent cover 16 Extension Panel 16a, 16b, 16c opening 20H, 20L Lighting unit (headlamp unit) 22, 32, 42 Light emitting element (light source) 24 Projection Lens 26, 36, 46 board 30L, 30R Lighting unit (clearance lamp unit) 34 Lens 34s lens element 40L, 40R Lighting unit (front turn signal lamp unit) 50, 150 Translucent material 52, 54 Flange part 52a, 54a Screw insertion holes 60, 160 First lens section 62, 162 Plate-shaped part 64, 164 Lens body 64a front 64aB Auxiliary lens section 64b Rear 64bA central region 64bB surrounding area 64bB1 Area toward the inside of the vehicle width 64bB2 Area on the outer side of the vehicle 70, 170 Second lens section 70a Vehicle width direction inner end face 70b Outer end surface in vehicle width direction 70c Lower end surface 70d Top surface 72, 172 front 72A, 172A Band Area 72s1, 172s1 lens element (diffusion lens element) 72s2, 172s2 lens elements (side-illumination elements) 74, 174 rear 74s, 174s lens elements (deflector lens elements) 80, 180 Connection plate 82 Upper end 84 Top end 86 Lower end Ax optical axis PL, PR Light distribution pattern for front turn signal lamps (asymmetric light distribution pattern)

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp to be disposed at the front or rear of a vehicle, the vehicle lamp including a lamp unit for forming an asymmetric light distribution pattern housed in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a light-transmitting cover, The lighting unit includes a light source and a light-transmitting member that controls transmission of light emitted from the light source, the light-transmitting member includes a first lens portion, a second lens portion disposed at a position away from the first lens portion toward the front side of the lamp, and a connecting plate portion connecting the first and second lens portions at an outer end portion in a vehicle width direction, The first lens portion is configured to emit light emitted from the light source toward the second lens portion, The second lens portion is configured to emit the light emitted from the first lens portion toward a front of the lamp as diffused light, The second lens portion is formed so as to extend in a direction inclined toward the rear side of the lamp toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, a plurality of lens elements are formed on a front surface and a rear surface of the second lens portion, respectively, and the plurality of lens elements formed on the rear surface have a stepped horizontal cross-sectional shape.

2. 2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein some of the plurality of lens elements formed on the front surface of the second lens portion are configured as side-illumination elements that totally reflect incident light from the rear surface of the second lens portion and emit the light toward the outside in the vehicle width direction.

3. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, wherein the side illumination element is formed in a plurality of strip-shaped regions that are arranged so as to extend in the vertical direction at intervals in the vehicle width direction.

4. 4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3, wherein the belt-shaped region located at an inner end in the vehicle width direction among the plurality of belt-shaped regions is arranged so as to extend along the inner end surface in the vehicle width direction of the second lens portion.

5. The rear surface of the first lens portion includes a central region that causes the light emitted from the light source to be incident in a direction toward the front side of the lamp, and a peripheral region that causes the light emitted from the light source to be incident in a direction away from the front side of the lamp around the central region and then totally reflects the light in a direction toward the front side of the lamp, 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral region has an inner region in the vehicle width direction formed into a single convex curved surface and an outer region in the vehicle width direction formed into a multiple convex curved surface.

6. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein no other lamp unit than the lamp unit is disposed in a space outside the lamp unit in the vehicle width direction within the lamp chamber.

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