Lighting fixture for vehicle

Abstract

To emit light outward from a desired region while securing sufficient luminance of the outward emitted light.SOLUTION: A lighting fixture for a vehicle comprises a plurality of light sources which are located side by side in a predetermined state, and an inner lens which controls light emitted from the plurality of light sources. On the inner lens, a plurality of incidence surfaces on which the light emitted from the plurality of light sources is made incident, a plurality of first reflection surfaces which are formed in a curved-surface shape for internally reflecting the light incident from the plurality of incidence surfaces, a second reflection surface which internally reflects the light internally reflected by the plurality of first reflection surfaces, and an emission surface from which the light internally reflected by the second reflection surface is emitted are formed. The inner lens is provided with a plate-like light passage part between the first reflection surfaces and the second reflection surface. The light internally reflected by the first reflection surfaces is guided in a direction along a surface of the light passage part, and the light internally reflected by the second reflection surface is emitted from an annular irradiation region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Some vehicle lamps are configured such that a light source that emits light is disposed inside a lamp outer casing constituted 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 (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

[0003] In the vehicle lamps described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the light emitted from the light source is internally reflected (total reflection) by the inner lens, guided in a predetermined direction, and irradiated outward.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in the vehicle lamp as described above, in order to guide the incident light in a predetermined direction and emit it, it is possible to irradiate light from a desired area to the outside. However, it is desired to ensure sufficient luminance of the light irradiated to the outside to improve visibility and safety.

[0006] Therefore, the vehicle lamp of the present invention aims to irradiate light from a desired area to the outside while ensuring sufficient luminance of the light irradiated to the outside.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The vehicle lamp according to the present invention includes a plurality of light sources arranged in a predetermined state and an inner lens that controls the light emitted from the plurality of light sources. The inner lens has a plurality of incident surfaces into which the light emitted from the plurality of light sources is respectively incident, a plurality of first reflecting surfaces formed in a curved shape that internally reflect the light incident from the plurality of incident surfaces, a second reflecting surface that internally reflects the light internally reflected by the plurality of first reflecting surfaces, and an exit surface from which the light internally reflected by the second reflecting surface is emitted. A plate-shaped light passage portion is provided between the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface in the inner lens. The light internally reflected by the first reflecting surface is guided in a direction along the surface of the light passage portion, and the light internally reflected by the second reflecting surface is irradiated from an annular irradiation region.

[0008] As a result, the light emitted from the plurality of light sources arranged in a predetermined state is internally reflected by the plurality of first reflecting surfaces and the second reflecting surfaces formed in a curved shape and is irradiated from the annular irradiation region.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, since the light emitted from the plurality of light sources arranged in a predetermined state is internally reflected by the plurality of first reflecting surfaces and the second reflecting surfaces formed in a curved shape and is irradiated from the annular irradiation region, the total amount of light increases, and the utilization efficiency of light is increased by being internally reflected by the plurality of first reflecting surfaces formed in a curved shape. After ensuring sufficient luminance of the light irradiated to the outside, light can be irradiated from a desired region to the outside.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the vehicle lamp of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] Hereinafter, the front-rear, up-down, left-right directions will be described with the irradiation direction of light from the vehicle lamp being the front. However, the front-rear, up-down, left-right directions shown below are for convenience of explanation, and the implementation of the present invention is not limited to these directions.

[0013] The vehicle lamp 1 is used, for example, as an accessory lamp that is lit when the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned on. However, the vehicle lamp 1 is not limited to an accessory lamp, and may be applied as other types of vehicle lamps such as a daytime running lamp, a tail lamp, a stop lamp, etc.

[0014] The vehicle lamp 1 includes 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 constitute a lamp outer casing 4, and the internal space of the lamp outer casing 4 is formed as a lamp chamber 5.

[0015] In the lamp chamber 5, a first inner lens 6 and a second inner lens 7 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. The first inner lens 6 is located on the rear side of the second inner lens 7.

[0016] The first inner lens 6 is formed as a flat horizontally long shape with the front-rear direction as the thickness direction as a whole (see FIGS. 1 to 3). The first inner lens 6 is provided with a mounting protrusion 8 protruding rearward at the central portion in the vertical direction. For example, two mounting protrusions 8 are provided and are spaced apart from each other left and right. A boss insertion hole 9 is formed between the two mounting protrusions 8 in the first inner lens 6. For example, two boss insertion holes 9 are formed and are spaced apart from each other left and right.

[0017] On the rear surface of the first inner lens 6, a plurality of, for example, 10 incident surfaces 10 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction around the mounting protrusion 8 and the boss insertion hole 9. The incident surface 10 is formed in a spherical shape (hemispherical shape) centered on a light source described later.

[0018] On the front surface of the first inner lens 6, the same number of first reflecting surfaces 11 as the incident surfaces 10 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction. The first reflecting surface 11 is composed of a curved surface 11a, for example, a curved surface formed by rotating a parabola, and a diffusion step 11b, and most of the part is the curved surface 11a. However, the curved surface 11a may be another curved surface such as an elliptical surface. The first reflecting surface 11 has a function of internally reflecting (total reflecting) light. The light reflected by the curved surface 11a is made into parallel light, and the light reflected by the diffusion step 11b is made into diffused light.

[0019] The portion around the plurality of first reflecting surfaces 11 on the front surface of the first inner lens 6 is formed as a sub-reflecting surface 12. The sub-reflecting surface 12 is formed in a planar shape facing substantially forward and is formed in an annular shape on the outer peripheral side of the plurality of first reflecting surfaces 11.

[0020] The outer peripheral portion on the rear surface of the first inner lens 6 is formed as an annular second reflecting surface 13. The second reflecting surface 13 is formed in a stepped shape having a plurality of steps in the direction connecting the outer periphery and the inner periphery. The second reflecting surface 13 is inclined so as to be displaced forward as a whole from the inner periphery to the outer periphery. The second reflecting surface 13 is constituted by a plurality of extending portions 13a extending in the circumferential direction (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0021] The outer peripheral portion on the front surface of the first inner lens 6 is formed as an annular light emitting surface 14 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). A plurality of condensing steps 14a arranged in the direction connecting the outer periphery and the inner periphery are formed on the light emitting surface 14. As the condensing step 14a, for example, a cylindrical step is used. By forming the condensing step 14a on the light emitting surface 14, light is emitted from the light emitting surface 14 in a converged state.

[0022] The portion between the first reflecting surface 11 and the second reflecting surface 13 in the first inner lens 6 is provided as a plate-shaped light passing portion 6a, and the thickness direction of the light passing portion 6a is in the front-rear direction. A sub-reflecting surface 12 is formed on the front surface of the light passing portion 6a.

[0023] The first inner lens 6 is attached to the lamp housing 2, for example, by screwing the attached protrusion 8.

[0024] The second inner lens 7 is formed in a horizontally long shape and is substantially plate-shaped facing the front-rear direction (see FIGS. 1 to 3).

[0025] The outer peripheral portion on the rear surface of the second inner lens 7 is formed as a light incident surface 15. The light incident surface 15 is formed, for example, in a flat shape.

[0026] The outer peripheral portion on the front surface of the second inner lens 7 is formed as a light emitting surface 16. The area of the light emitting surface 16 is substantially the same as the area of the light incident surface 15. A diffusion step 16a is formed on the light emitting surface 16. As the diffusion step 16a, for example, a fisheye step is used.

[0027] On the inner portion 7a inside the light emitting surface 16 on the front surface of the second inner lens 7, a pattern (for example, a geometric pattern) not shown in the drawings is provided. By providing such a pattern on the second inner lens 7, the pattern can be visually recognized through the cover 3 when the light is off, and the design property when the light is off can be improved. However, the inner portion 7a inside the light emitting surface 16 on the front surface of the second inner lens 7 may not be provided with a pattern.

[0028] The second inner lens 7 is provided with mounting bosses 17 protruding rearward. For example, two mounting bosses 17 are provided at intervals in the left - right direction and are located inside the light incident surface 15.

[0029] The second inner lens 7 is attached to the lamp housing 2, for example, by screwing or the like with the mounting bosses 17 inserted into the boss insertion holes 9 of the first inner lens 6.

[0030] A reflector 18 is disposed in the lamp chamber 5. The reflector 18 is formed in a horizontally long annular shape and is located on the rear side of the second reflecting surface 13 in the first inner lens 6. The front surface of the reflector 18 is formed as a reflection control surface 18a that reflects light, and the reflection control surface 18a is inclined so as to face the second reflecting surface 13. The reflector 18 is attached to the lamp housing 2, for example, by screwing or the like.

[0031] A circuit board 19 is disposed on the rear side of the first inner lens 6. The circuit board 19 is disposed in a state facing the front - rear direction and is attached to the lamp housing 2 by screwing or the like. The circuit board 19 is formed with insertion holes (not shown) through which the attached protrusion 8 of the first inner lens 6 and the mounting boss 17 of the second inner lens 7 are inserted. Therefore, the first inner lens 6 and the second inner lens 7 are attached to the lamp housing 2 with the attached protrusion 8 and the mounting boss 17 inserted into the insertion holes of the circuit board 19.

[0032] A plurality of light sources 20 are mounted on the front surface of the circuit board 19. As the light source 20, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) is used. Each light source 20 is located directly behind the incident surface 10 in the first inner lens 6. Therefore, the number of light sources 20 is the same as the number of incident surfaces 10, and a plurality of light sources 20, for example, 10 light sources 20, are mounted on the circuit board 19 in an annular state as a whole.

[0033] In the vehicle lamp 1 configured as described above, when light is emitted from each of the plurality of light sources 20, the emitted light is incident on the first inner lens 6 from the incident surface 10 (see FIG. 5). The light incident from the incident surface 10 reaches the first reflecting surface 11 and the sub-reflecting surface 12, and is internally reflected (total reflection) by the first reflecting surface 11 and the sub-reflecting surface 12.

[0034] Incidentally, although there is also light that is transmitted through the sub-reflecting surface 12 and does not contribute as light irradiated from the vehicle lamp 1 to the outside, the amount of light transmitted through the sub-reflecting surface 12 is small compared to the amount of light internally reflected by the sub-reflecting surface 12.

[0035] At this time, since the incident surface 10 is formed in a spherical shape centered on the light source 20, the light passing through the incident surface 10 travels straight without being refracted. Therefore, since it is not necessary to consider the refraction of light at the incident surface 10, it becomes possible to easily design the first inner lens 6 and to ensure that the light incident from the incident surface 10 reaches the required position.

[0036] The light internally reflected by the first reflecting surface 11 is guided in a direction along the surfaces (both front and rear surfaces) of the light passage portion 6a, and is internally reflected by the second reflecting surface 13 toward the emission surface 14, and is emitted from the emission surface 14. Also, the light internally reflected by the sub-reflecting surface 12 is also internally reflected by the second reflecting surface 13 toward the emission surface 14. However, among the light internally reflected by the sub-reflecting surface 12 and reaching the second reflecting surface 13, there is light that passes through the second reflecting surface 13, and the light that has passed through the second reflecting surface 13 is reflected by the reflection control surface 18a of the reflector 18 and is incident again on the first inner lens 6 from the second reflecting surface 13 and heads toward the emission surface 14. At this time, even if there is light that passes through the second reflecting surface 13 among the light internally reflected by the first reflecting surface 11 and reaching the second reflecting surface 13, the light that has passed through the second reflecting surface 13 is reflected by the reflection control surface 18a of the reflector 18 and is incident again on the first inner lens 6 from the second reflecting surface 13 and heads toward the emission surface 14.

[0037] The light traveling from the second reflecting surface 13 toward the emission surface 14 is emitted from the emission surface 14 and is incident on the second inner lens 7 from the light incident surface 15.

[0038] At this time, the light emitted from the emission surface 14 is emitted in a converged state by the condensing step 14a of the emission surface 14 and is incident on the second inner lens 7. Therefore, the progress of light outside the region of the light incident surface 15 of the second inner lens 7 is suppressed.

[0039] The light incident on the second inner lens 7 from the light incident surface 15 is emitted from the light emission surface 16, passes through the cover 3, and is irradiated outward. Since the light is emitted from the light emission surface 16 in a diffused state by the diffusion step 16a, when light is emitted from the light emission surface 16, the light is emitted in a diffused state by the diffusion step 16a formed on the light emission surface 16 and the light is emitted from the entire region of the light emission surface 16. Therefore, uniform light is irradiated outward from the annular irradiation region.

[0040] As described above, in the vehicle lamp 1, the first inner lens 6 is formed with a plurality of incident surfaces 10 into which light emitted from a plurality of light sources 20 is respectively incident, a plurality of first reflecting surfaces 11 formed in a curved shape for internally reflecting the light incident from the plurality of incident surfaces 10, and a second reflecting surface 13 for internally reflecting the light internally reflected by the plurality of first reflecting surfaces 11. The light internally reflected by the first reflecting surface 11 is guided in a direction along the surface of the light passage portion 6a, and the light internally reflected by the second reflecting surface 13 is irradiated from an annular irradiation region.

[0041] Therefore, the light emitted from the plurality of light sources 20 arranged in a predetermined state is internally reflected by the plurality of first reflecting surfaces 11 and the second reflecting surface 13 formed in a curved shape and is irradiated from an annular irradiation region. As a result, the total amount of light increases, and the utilization efficiency of the light is increased by being internally reflected by the plurality of first reflecting surfaces 11 formed in a curved shape, ensuring sufficient luminance of the light irradiated to the outside, and enabling light to be irradiated to the outside from a desired region.

[0042] In addition, since the light is internally reflected by the first reflecting surface 11 and the second reflecting surface 13 of the first inner lens 6 and is guided in a direction along the surface of the plate-shaped light passage portion 6a whose light is directed in the front-rear direction, the thickness of the first inner lens 6 in the front-rear direction becomes thin, and the overall thinning of the vehicle lamp 1 can be achieved.

[0043] Furthermore, since the light incident from the incident surface 10 is also internally reflected by the sub-reflecting surface 12 in addition to the first reflecting surface 11 and is directed to the second reflecting surface 13, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the light incident from the incident surface 10 and to improve the luminance of the light irradiated to the outside.

[0044] Furthermore, a second inner lens 7 is disposed on the opposite side of the light source 20 with the first inner lens 6 interposed therebetween, and the light emitted from the emission surface 14 is controlled by the second inner lens 7.

[0045] Therefore, since the light controlled by the first inner lens 6 is incident on the second inner lens 7 and is controlled by the second inner lens 7, the light can be finely controlled by both the first inner lens 6 and the second inner lens 7 to irradiate light in a desired state.

[0046] Further, a light incident surface 15 on which the light emitted from the emission surface 14 is incident on the second inner lens 7 and a light emission surface 16 from which the light incident from the light incident surface 15 is emitted are formed. A condensing step 14a is formed on the emission surface 14, and a diffusion step 16a is formed on the light emission surface 16.

[0047] Therefore, the light is incident on the light incident surface 15 in a state where the light is condensed by the condensing step 14a formed on the emission surface 14 and is emitted in a state where the light is diffused by the diffusion step 16a formed on the light emission surface 16. As a result, the amount of light incident on the second inner lens 7 can be increased by the condensing function, so that the light can be effectively utilized, and the uniformity of the light emitted from the second inner lens 7 can be improved by the diffusion function.

[0048] Furthermore, a reflector 18 is disposed on the opposite side of the second inner lens 7 with the first inner lens 6 interposed therebetween, and a reflection control surface 18a facing the second reflection surface 13 is formed on the reflector 18.

[0049] Therefore, since the light leaking from the second reflection surface 13 of the first inner lens 6 is reflected by the reflection control surface 18a of the reflector 18 and is incident on the first inner lens 6 again, effective utilization of light and improvement of light uniformity can be achieved.

[0050] In addition, the vehicle lamp 1 is provided with a reflector 18, and is configured to reflect light in a necessary direction by the reflector 18.

[0051] Therefore, even when the vehicle lamp 1 is formed in a shape bent so as to be displaced in the front-rear direction as it goes outward in the left-right direction, it is possible to irradiate light in a direction extending from the front to the side, and a light-emitting state can be ensured in which the entire irradiation area shines uniformly when the vehicle lamp 1 is viewed from the front.

[0052] In addition, although the vehicle lamp 1 provided with the reflector 18 has been shown as an example above, the vehicle lamp 1 can also be configured without the reflector 18.

[0053] Also, although an example in which the second reflecting surface 13 of the first inner lens 6 is constituted by a plurality of extending portions 13a has been shown above, the second reflecting surface 13 may be constituted by the extending portion 13a and the protruding portion 13b (see FIG. 6). The second reflecting surface 13 is formed, for example, by alternately forming extending portions 13a extending in the circumferential direction and protruding portions 13b whose outer periphery is formed in an arc in the circumferential direction. A part (tip portion) of the protruding portion 13b protrudes in the outer peripheral direction with respect to the extending portion 13a, and for example, the outer periphery is formed in an arc centered on the light source 20 or the central point of the incident surface 10.

[0054] As described above, the light internally reflected by the first reflecting surface 11 and the light internally reflected by the sub-reflecting surface 12 reach the second reflecting surface 13. However, the plurality of light sources 20 and the plurality of first reflecting surfaces 11 are spaced apart in the circumferential direction, and the amount of light traveling toward the annular second reflecting surface 13 may be partially different in the circumferential direction.

[0055] Therefore, as described above, by configuring the second reflecting surface 13 with the extending portion 13a extending in the circumferential direction and the protruding portion 13b partially protruding in the outer peripheral direction with respect to the extending portion 13a, the amount of light reaching the extending portion 13a and the amount of light reaching the protruding portion 13b are made substantially the same. Therefore, the light traveling from the second reflecting surface 13 toward the light incident surface 15 does not differ in the circumferential direction, and a uniform amount of light is incident from the entire light incident surface 15.

[0056] In this way, since the second reflecting surface 13 is composed of the extending portion 13a and the protruding portion 13b, and the extending portion 13a and the protruding portion 13b are alternately positioned in the circumferential direction, it becomes difficult for a difference to occur between the amount of light traveling from the extending portion 13a toward the second inner lens 7 and the amount of light traveling from the protruding portion 13b toward the second inner lens 7, and a uniform light reflection state can be ensured over the entire second reflecting surface 13.

[0057] In addition, in the vehicle lamp 1, the extending portion 13a may not be provided, and the second reflecting surface 13 may be composed of protruding portions 13b arranged in the circumferential direction (see FIG. 7).

[0058] Even when the second reflecting surface 13 is composed of protruding portions 13b arranged in the circumferential direction, by appropriately setting the position, size, etc. of the protruding portions 13b, it becomes possible to ensure a uniform light reflection state over the entire second reflecting surface 13.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0059] 1 Vehicle lamp 6 First inner lens 6a Light passage portion 7 Second inner lens 10 Incident surface 11 First reflecting surface 11b Diffusion step 13 Second reflecting surface 13a Extending portion 13b Protruding portion 14 Exit surface 15 Light incident surface 16 Light exit surface 16a Diffusion step 18 Reflector 18a Reflection control surface 20 Light source

Claims

1. A plurality of light sources positioned side by side in a predetermined state, and an inner lens for controlling light emitted from the plurality of light sources, and the inner lens has a plurality of incident surfaces into which light emitted from the plurality of light sources is respectively incident, a plurality of first reflecting surfaces formed in a curved shape for internally reflecting the light incident from the plurality of incident surfaces, a second reflecting surface for internally reflecting the light internally reflected by the plurality of first reflecting surfaces, and an exit surface from which the light internally reflected by the second reflecting surface is emitted, a plate-shaped light passage portion is provided between the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface in the inner lens, the light internally reflected by the first reflecting surface is guided in a direction along the surface of the light passage portion, the light internally reflected by the second reflecting surface is irradiated from an annular irradiation region A vehicle lamp.

2. The inner lens is provided as a first inner lens, a second inner lens is disposed on the opposite side of the light source with the first inner lens interposed therebetween, the light emitted from the exit surface is controlled by the second inner lens The vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

3. The second inner lens has a light incident surface into which the light emitted from the exit surface is incident and a light exit surface from which the light incident from the light incident surface is emitted, a condensing step is formed on the exit surface, a diffusing step is formed on the light exit surface The vehicle lamp according to claim 2.

4. A reflector is disposed on the opposite side of the second inner lens with the first inner lens interposed therebetween, a reflection control surface facing the second reflecting surface is formed on the reflector The vehicle lamp according to claim 2 or claim 3.

5. The second reflecting surface is formed in an annular shape, the second reflecting surface is provided with a plurality of extending portions formed in a shape extending in the circumferential direction and a plurality of protruding portions partially protruding to the outer peripheral side of the extending portions, the extending portions and the protruding portions are alternately positioned in the circumferential direction The vehicle lamp according to claim 2 or claim 3.

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