Vehicle lighting fixture

Abstract

To improve the efficiency of use of light emitted from a light source.SOLUTION: Provided is vehicle lighting fixture that includes: a light source for emitting light; and an inner lens having a first control unit having a first exit surface formed therein and a second control unit having a second exit surface formed therein, and controlling light emitted from the light source, wherein a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface, each of which internally reflects light emitted from the light source toward the second control unit are formed on the inner lens, a part of the light emitted from the light source is made into first emitted light and second emitted light, the first emitted light and the second emitted light are crossed inside the inner lens, and the first emitted light is reflected by the first reflecting surface toward the second control unit, and the second emitted light is reflected by the second reflecting surface toward the second control unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technical field of a vehicle lamp in which light emitted from a light source is controlled and irradiated by an inner lens. [Background technology]

[0002] Some vehicle lamps have a light source that emits light disposed inside a lamp outer casing formed by a cover and a lamp housing, and the light emitted from the light source is guided in a predetermined direction by an inner lens used as a light guide, and is emitted from multiple exit surfaces of the inner lens (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a light entrance section into which light emitted from a light source is incident and a light exit section positioned around the light entrance section, and the light incident from the light entrance section is internally reflected (total reflected) multiple times and exits from each predetermined portion of the light exit section. Also, the light transmitted through the light entrance section is exited as direct light. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-6153 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the vehicle lamp as described above, light is emitted from each predetermined portion of the light exit portion, and also emitted as direct light from the light entrance portion. Therefore, since the inner lens is configured to emit light from multiple portions, it is desirable to fully utilize the light emitted from the light source in order to emit light with sufficient brightness from each portion.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp that improves the efficiency of use of light emitted from a light source. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vehicle lamp of the present invention comprises a light source that emits light, and an inner lens having a first control section having a first exit surface and a second control section having a second exit surface and controlling the light emitted from the light source, wherein the inner lens is formed with a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface that respectively internally reflect the light emitted from the light source toward the second control section, each portion of the light emitted from the light source is made into a first exit light and a second exit light, the first exit light and the second exit light intersect inside the inner lens, the first exit light is reflected by the first reflecting surface toward the second control section, and the second exit light is reflected by the second reflecting surface toward the second control section.

[0008] As a result, the first outgoing light reflected by the first reflecting surface and the second outgoing light reflected by the second reflecting surface both travel toward the second control unit. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, since the first outgoing light reflected by the first reflecting surface and the second outgoing light reflected by the second reflecting surface both head toward the second control unit, the amount of light heading toward the second control unit increases, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the light source. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 2 to 7 show an embodiment of a vehicle lamp according to the present invention, and this figure is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inner lens. [Diagram 3] 3 is a perspective view of the inner lens as viewed from a different direction than that of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a light entrance portion of the inner lens. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inner lens and an extension. [Figure 7] 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the path of light emitted from a light source. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle lamp according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] In the following, the front, rear, up, down, left and right directions will be described assuming that the direction of light emitted from the vehicle lamp is the forward direction. However, the front, rear, up, down, left and right directions described below are for the convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not limited to these directions in terms of implementation.

[0013] The inner lens of the vehicle lamp described below has a first control section and a second control section, and the first control section is configured to be located below the second control section, but the positional relationship between the first control section and the second control section is not limited to this positional relationship, and for example, the first control section may be located below the second control section. Also, the first control section and the second control section may be configured to be aligned side by side, or the first control section and the second control section may be configured to be aligned in a direction inclined with respect to the up, down, left, and right.

[0014] An example of a vehicle lamp having the functions of a tail lamp and a stop lamp is shown below as a vehicle lamp of the present invention. However, the vehicle lamp of the present invention is not limited to a vehicle lamp having the functions of a tail lamp and a stop lamp, and may be applied as other types of vehicle lamps such as a clearance lamp, a turn signal lamp, a daytime running lamp, or a combination lamp having the functions of multiple lamps.

[0015] The vehicle lamp 1 comprises a lamp housing 2 having an opening at the front end, and a cover 3 that closes the opening of the lamp housing 2 (see FIG. 1). The lamp housing 2 and the cover 3 form a lamp outer casing 4, and the internal space of the lamp outer casing 4 is formed as a lamp chamber 5. Two mounting parts (not shown) are provided on the rear surface 2a of the lamp housing 2, spaced apart from each other above and below. The lamp outer casing 4 is formed in a vertically long shape.

[0016] A light source module 6 is detachably attached to the rear surface portion 2a of the lamp housing 2. The light source module 6 is attached to a position near the lower end of the rear surface portion 2a, and has a light source 7 at its front end. The light source 7 has a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), for example, five, and is configured such that four light emitting diodes are positioned at equal intervals around one light emitting diode located at the center.

[0017] In the vehicle lamp 1, a board may be disposed in the lamp chamber 5 instead of the light source module 6, and the light source 7 may be mounted on the board.

[0018] The centrally located light-emitting diode is, for example, a light-emitting diode for a stop lamp, and the four surrounding light-emitting diodes are, for example, light-emitting diodes for a tail lamp. In the vehicle lamp 1, the light-emitting intensity of the centrally located light-emitting diode is made higher than the light-emitting intensity of the surrounding light-emitting diodes, and light is emitted from the centrally located light-emitting diode to irradiate light as a stop lamp toward the outside, and light is simultaneously emitted from the four surrounding light-emitting diodes to irradiate light as a tail lamp toward the outside.

[0019] An inner lens 8 is disposed in front of the light source 7 in the lamp chamber 5. The inner lens 8 is formed in a vertically long shape, and for example, mounting portions (not shown) provided at both upper and lower ends are attached to mounting portions of the lamp housing 2, respectively.

[0020] The inner lens 8 functions as a light guide, and is formed by integrally forming each part, and has a first control unit 9 and a second control unit 10 (see Figs. 1 to 4). The first control unit 9 and the second control unit 10 are provided successively above and below, and the second control unit 10 is located above the first control unit 9.

[0021] The first control section 9 has a light entrance section 11 and a light reflection section 12 , and the light reflection section 12 is provided continuously above the light entrance section 11 .

[0022] The light incident portion 11 has, for example, a base 13 formed in a roughly horizontally elongated rectangular shape, a plurality of protrusions 14 protruding forward from the base 13, a first incident protrusion 15 protruding rearward from the base 13, and two second incident protrusions 16 protruding rearward from the base 13.

[0023] The front surface of the base 13 is formed as a first light exit surface 13a. A diffusion step is formed on the first light exit surface 13a.

[0024] For example, four protrusions 14 are provided spaced apart on the left and right sides and are formed in a substantially arc shape. A part of the light emitted from the light source 7 is also emitted from the protrusions 14, but the protrusions 14 have a function of ensuring a viewing angle, and light with a certain degree of spread in the left-right direction is emitted from the protrusions 14. In this way, light is also emitted from the protrusions 14, and the surface of the protrusions 14 also functions as a first emission surface 14a.

[0025] The first entrance protrusion 15 and the second entrance protrusion 16 are portions into which light emitted from the light source 7 is incident. The first entrance protrusion 15 is formed in a generally truncated cone shape whose diameter decreases toward the rear, and is provided at a position facing the light source 7. The second entrance protrusions 16 are located on the left and right of the first entrance protrusion 15, and are formed in a generally arc shape based on the central axis of the first entrance protrusion 15.

[0026] A first reflecting surface 17 is formed on the front portion of the lower end of the light incident portion 11. The first reflecting surface 17 is formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape, is an inclined surface facing diagonally downward toward the front, and has the function of internally reflecting light (total reflection).

[0027] The light reflecting portion 12 has a convex portion formed in the front, and the second reflecting surface 18 and the third reflecting surface 19 are formed continuously on this convex portion. The second reflecting surface 18 and the third reflecting surface 19 both have the function of internally reflecting light (total reflection). The second reflecting surface 18 and the third reflecting surface 19 are both formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape. The second reflecting surface 18 is formed as an inclined surface facing diagonally downward toward the front, and the third reflecting surface 19 is formed as an inclined surface facing diagonally upward toward the front. The second reflecting surface 18 is positioned forward of the first reflecting surface 17, and a part of the third reflecting surface 19 is positioned directly above the first reflecting surface 17.

[0028] Diffusion steps are formed on the third reflecting surface 19. By forming the diffusion steps on the third reflecting surface 19, the light internally reflected by the third reflecting surface 19 is easily uniformed, particularly in the left-right direction. Note that in the vehicle lamp 1, diffusion steps may also be formed on the first reflecting surface 17 and the second reflecting surface 18.

[0029] The light reflecting portion 12 is formed with a fourth reflecting surface 20 behind the third reflecting surface 19. The fourth reflecting surface 20 is formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape and is an inclined surface facing diagonally downward toward the rear, and has a function of internally reflecting (total reflection) light. Note that in the vehicle lamp 1, the fourth reflecting surface 20 may also be formed with a diffusion step.

[0030] The second control unit 10 has a plate-shaped base surface portion 21 facing substantially in the front-rear direction, and a plurality of emission protrusions 22 protruding forward from the base surface portion 21 .

[0031] The base surface portion 21 is formed in a vertically elongated shape, and has a plurality of emission reflecting surfaces 23 and a plurality of light guiding reflecting surfaces 24 .

[0032] The exit reflecting surfaces 23 are formed on the rear surface of the base surface portion 21 at intervals in the vertical direction, and are formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape. The multiple exit reflecting surfaces 23 face diagonally upward and rearward, and each of the upper and lower widths and inclination angles is a predetermined width and a predetermined angle. The exit reflecting surfaces 23 are formed with diffusion steps. The exit reflecting surfaces 23 have the function of internally reflecting (total reflection) the light emitted from the light source 7 and guided by the inner lens 8 forward, and the amount of light reflected by each exit reflecting surface 23 is made approximately the same. The exit reflecting surfaces 23 are formed with diffusion steps. By forming the diffusion steps on the exit reflecting surfaces 23, the light internally reflected by the exit reflecting surfaces 23 is easily uniformed in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0033] At least one light-guiding reflective surface 24 is formed on each of the front and rear surfaces of the base surface portion 21, and is formed in a horizontally long rectangle. The light-guiding reflective surface 24 formed on the front surface faces obliquely upward toward the front, and the light-guiding reflective surface 24 formed on the rear surface faces obliquely downward toward the rear. The light-guiding reflective surface 24 has a function of internally reflecting (total reflecting) the light emitted from the light source 7 and guided by the inner lens 8 backward or upward.

[0034] The emission protrusions 22 are positioned apart from each other vertically. The emission protrusions 22 are formed in a horizontally long block shape, and the width from top to bottom decreases toward the front. The front surface of the emission protrusions 22 is formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape as a second emission surface 22a. A diffusion step is formed on the second emission surface 22a. For example, a knurled step is formed on the peripheral surface of the emission protrusions 22, that is, on both the upper and lower surfaces and both the left and right side surfaces. By forming a knurled step on the peripheral surface of the emission protrusions 22, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of so-called point light that is locally bright and visually recognized.

[0035] The second control section 10 is provided with reinforcing wall sections 25 on both the left and right sides. The reinforcing wall sections 25 connect the side surfaces of all of the emission protrusions 22 and are continuous with the side surfaces of the light reflecting section 12. The reinforcing wall sections 25 connect both side surfaces of all of the emission protrusions 22, and thus the reinforcing wall sections 25 reinforce the multiple emission protrusions 22, thereby improving the strength of the inner lens 8.

[0036] An extension 26 is disposed in the lamp chamber 5 (see Figs. 1 and 5). The extension 26 is formed in a vertically long shape, and for example, mounting portions (not shown) provided at both upper and lower ends are attached to mounting portions of the lamp housing 2, respectively.

[0037] The extension 26 has a shielding surface portion 27 facing substantially in the front-rear direction and two side surface portions 28 protruding rearward from both the left and right ends of the shielding surface portion 27. A horizontally elongated light transmission hole 27a is formed in a position near the lower end of the shielding surface portion 27. A plurality of horizontally elongated insertion holes 27b are formed in the shielding surface portion 27 at intervals in the vertical direction, and the insertion holes 27b are located above the light transmission holes 27a.

[0038] The extension 26 is attached to the lamp housing 2 from the front side of the inner lens 8, and with the extension 26 attached to the lamp housing 2, the first emission surfaces 13a, 14a of the inner lens 8 are positioned directly behind the light transmission hole 27a. At this time, the emission protrusions 22 of the inner lens 8 are inserted into the insertion holes 27b of the extension 26, and parts of the emission protrusions 22 protrude forward from the insertion holes 27b (see FIGS. 1 and 6). Therefore, the inner lens 8 is shielded by the extension 26 except for the parts of the emission protrusions 22 protruding forward from the insertion holes 27b.

[0039] In this manner, in the vehicle lamp 1, a part of the emission protrusion 22 protrudes forward from the insertion hole 27b, so that each protruding part of the emission protrusion 22 is visible from the outside through the cover 3 when the lamp is not lit, improving the design. At this time, the diffusion step formed on the front surface of the emission protrusion 22 and the knurled step formed on the circumferential surface of the emission protrusion 22 are visible, ensuring a particularly high design.

[0040] In the vehicle lamp 1 configured as described above, when light is emitted from the light source 7, the emitted light is incident on the first incident protrusion 15 and the second incident protrusion 16 provided on the light incident portion 11 of the inner lens 8 (see Figure 7).

[0041] At this time, the light S except for a part of the light incident on the light incident portion 11 is transmitted through the light incident portion 11 and is emitted from the first emission surface 13a as direct light, and is irradiated to the outside as the main light distribution of the stop lamp or tail lamp through the cover 3. At this time, the light S emitted from the first emission surface 13a is emitted in a diffused state by the diffusion steps formed on the first emission surface 13a. In addition, a part of the light S is also emitted from the first emission surface 14a of the protruding portion 14, and the light emitted from the first emission surface 14a passes through the cover 3 and is irradiated to the outside as light that ensures a viewing angle.

[0042] On the other hand, a portion of the light incident on the light incident portion 11 is internally reflected (total reflected) at the lower end of the peripheral surface 15a of the first incident protrusion 15 and travels toward the first reflecting surface 17 as the first outgoing light A, and another portion of the light incident on the light incident portion 11 is internally reflected (total reflected) at the upper end of the peripheral surface 15a of the first incident protrusion 15 and travels toward the second reflecting surface 18 as the second outgoing light B.

[0043] The first outgoing light A heading toward the first reflecting surface 17 is internally reflected by the first reflecting surface 17, and is then internally reflected by the third reflecting surface 19 and the fourth reflecting surface 20 in this order, heading toward the second control unit 10. At this time, the first outgoing light A intersects with the light S at the base 13 of the light entrance unit 11 (inside the inner lens 8).

[0044] The second outgoing light B heading toward the second reflecting surface 18 is internally reflected by the second reflecting surface 18, and is then internally reflected by the third reflecting surface 19 and the fourth reflecting surface 20 in this order, heading toward the second control unit 10. At this time, the second outgoing light B intersects with the first outgoing light A at the light reflecting unit 12 (inside the inner lens 8).

[0045] The first outgoing light A and the second outgoing light B traveling toward the second control unit 10 are each partially reflected internally by the outgoing reflecting surface 23. At this time, the first outgoing light A and the second outgoing light B that reach the light-guiding reflecting surface 24 are reflected internally by the two light-guiding reflecting surfaces 24 in turn and travel upward.

[0046] The first exit light A and the second exit light B internally reflected by the exit reflection surface 23 are each emitted from the second exit surface 22a of the exit protrusion 22, and are irradiated to the outside as auxiliary light of the stop lamp or tail lamp through the cover 3. At this time, the first exit light A and the second exit light B emitted from the second exit surface 22a are emitted in a state of being diffused in the vertical and horizontal directions by the diffusion steps formed on the second exit surface 22a. Also, as described above, in the vehicle lamp 1, the amount of light reflected by each exit reflection surface 23 is made approximately the same, so that the amount of light emitted from each exit protrusion 22 is approximately the same, and the light emitted from the second control unit 10 is irradiated to the outside in a uniform state.

[0047] As described above, in the vehicle lamp 1, the inner lens 8 is formed with a first reflecting surface 17 and a second reflecting surface 18 which respectively internally reflect the light emitted from the light source 7 towards the second control unit 10, and each portion of the light emitted from the light source 7 is made into a first emitted light A and a second emitted light B, and the first emitted light A and the second emitted light B intersect inside the inner lens 8, with the first emitted light A being reflected by the first reflecting surface 17 towards the second control unit 10 and the second emitted light B being reflected by the second reflecting surface 18 towards the second control unit 10.

[0048] Therefore, since the first outgoing light A reflected by the first reflecting surface 17 and the second outgoing light B reflected by the second reflecting surface 18 both head toward the second control unit 10, the amount of light heading toward the second control unit 10 increases, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the light source 7.

[0049] In addition, since the first outgoing light A and the second outgoing light B intersect inside the inner lens 8, the first outgoing light A and the second outgoing light B pass through the same part of the inner lens 8, which makes it possible to reduce the size of the inner lens 8 while improving the light utilization efficiency.

[0050] Furthermore, first reflecting surface 17 and second reflecting surface 18 are positioned on either side of first exit surface 13a, and first reflecting surface 17 and second reflecting surface 18 are formed contiguous with first exit surface 13a.

[0051] Therefore, since the first reflecting surface 17 and the second reflecting surface 18 for emitting light from the first exit surface 13a and the second exit surface 22a are positioned consecutively in sequence, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the light source 7 while ensuring the compactness of the inner lens 8.

[0052] Furthermore, a third reflecting surface 19 and a fourth reflecting surface 20 are formed on the inner lens 8, and the first outgoing light A reflected by the first reflecting surface 17 and the second outgoing light B reflected by the second reflecting surface 18 are both reflected by the third reflecting surface 19 and the fourth reflecting surface 20.

[0053] Therefore, since the third reflecting surface 19 and the fourth reflecting surface 20 are used as a common reflecting surface for the light traveling toward the second control unit 10, the shape of the inner lens 8 can be easily simplified and made compact, thereby enabling light to be emitted from a wide area while reducing manufacturing costs.

[0054] In addition, a plurality of second exit surfaces 22a are formed at intervals in a predetermined direction, and the second control unit 10 is formed with a plurality of exit reflecting surfaces 23 that internally reflect the light reflected by the fourth reflecting surface 20 toward the plurality of second exit surfaces 22a.

[0055] Therefore, since the light is reflected by the multiple exit reflecting surfaces 23 and emitted from the multiple second exit surfaces 22a, respectively, the angle and size of the exit reflecting surfaces 23 can be adjusted to achieve uniformity in the brightness of the light emitted from the multiple second exit surfaces 22a.

[0056] Furthermore, the light emitted from the light source 7 is incident on the first control unit 9, and a part of the light incident on the first control unit 9 is emitted as direct main light distribution from the first emission surfaces 13a and 14a.

[0057] Therefore, since direct light is emitted as the main light distribution, light with high luminance can be irradiated to the outside as the main light distribution.

[0058] Furthermore, the first control unit 9 is provided with a first entrance protrusion 15 and a second entrance protrusion 16 protruding toward the light source 7, with the first entrance protrusion 15 being provided at a position facing the light source 7 and the second entrance protrusion 16 being positioned around the first entrance protrusion 15.

[0059] Therefore, the light emitted from the light source 7 is incident on not only the first incident protrusion 15 but also the second incident protrusion 16 positioned around the first incident protrusion 15, so that the light can be emitted from a wide area.

[0060] In addition, the first outgoing light A, which is incident on the first control unit 9 and internally reflected by the first reflecting surface 17 toward the second reflecting surface 18, intersects with the light S at the light incident unit 11, and the first outgoing light 1A and the second outgoing light B, which are internally reflected by the third reflecting surface 19 toward the second control unit 10, intersect at the light reflecting unit 12.

[0061] Therefore, the first outgoing light A and the light S pass through the same part of the inner lens 8, and the first outgoing light A and the second outgoing light B pass through the same part of the inner lens 8, thereby making it possible to miniaturize the inner lens 8 while improving the light utilization efficiency. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 Vehicle lighting fixtures 7 light source 8 Inner Lens 9 First control section 10 Second control section 13a First exit surface 14a First exit surface 15 First entrance protrusion 16 Second entrance protrusion 17 First Reflective Surface 18 Second Reflective Surface 19 Third Reflective Surface 20 Fourth Reflective Surface 22 Output protrusion 22a Second exit surface 23 Output reflective surface

Claims

1. A light source that emits light; and an inner lens having a first control section having a first exit surface and a second control section having a second exit surface, and controlling the light emitted from the light source; The inner lens is formed with a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface that internally reflect the light emitted from the light source toward the second control unit, a first emitted light and a second emitted light are respectively a part of the light emitted from the light source; the first emitted light and the second emitted light intersect inside the inner lens, The first outgoing light is reflected by the first reflecting surface toward the second control portion, and the second outgoing light is reflected by the second reflecting surface toward the second control portion. Vehicle lighting fixtures.

2. the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface are positioned on either side of the first exit surface, The first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface are formed continuously with the first exit surface.

2. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

3. The inner lens is formed with a third reflecting surface and a fourth reflecting surface that internally reflect light, The first outgoing light reflected by the first reflecting surface and the second outgoing light reflected by the second reflecting surface are both reflected by the third reflecting surface and the fourth reflecting surface.

2. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

4. The second emission surface is formed in a plurality of portions spaced apart from each other in a predetermined direction, The second control unit is formed with a plurality of exit reflecting surfaces that internally reflect the light reflected by the fourth reflecting surface toward the second exit surfaces.

4. A vehicle lamp according to claim 3.

5. The light emitted from the light source is incident on the first control unit, A part of the light incident on the first control portion is emitted as a direct main light distribution from the first emission surface.

2. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

6. the first control unit is provided with a first entrance protrusion and a second entrance protrusion protruding toward the light source; the first incident protrusion is provided at a position facing the light source, The second entrance protrusion is positioned around the first entrance protrusion.

6. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

7. the second control unit is provided with a plurality of emission protrusions each having the second emission surface, The plurality of emission protrusions are formed in a shape protruding toward the light emission direction and are positioned apart from each other in a predetermined direction, The inner lens is provided with a reinforcing wall portion that connects the plurality of projections for emission.

6. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

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