Vehicular lighting fixture

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting fixture which shortens the maximum length of an emission surface in a vertical direction, and has high light extraction efficiency.SOLUTION: A vehicular lighting fixture has: a first light source part; a first reflector 2; a second reflector 3; a third reflector 4 which includes a pair of third reflection surfaces 40 arranged corresponding to a pair of second reflection surfaces in a left direction and a right direction of a first reflection surface 20 in a left-to-right direction, and for reflecting light reflected by the pair of second reflection surfaces in a front direction; and a first lens 5 which includes an emission surface 520, and in which light reflected on the first reflection surface 20 and light reflected on the pair of third reflection surfaces 40 are made to enter respectively and they are emitted into the front direction through the emission surface 520. The maximum length of the first lens 5 in a vertical direction is shorter than the maximum length of the first lens 5 in the left-to-right direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicle lamps.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, vehicle lamps having a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle lamp having a semiconductor light source, a first reflector having a reflecting surface that reflects light emitted from the semiconductor light source, a second reflector having a reflecting surface disposed on each side of the semiconductor light source, and a first projection lens that projects light from the first reflector forward.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In vehicle lamps, in order to improve the design property of the vehicle when the vehicle lamp is disposed on the vehicle, it may be required to shorten the maximum length of the emission surface of the vehicle lamp in the vertical direction. However, in the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1, when the maximum length of the emission surface of the vehicle lamp in the vertical direction is shortened, the light emitted from the first projection lens decreases, and thus the light extraction efficiency from the vehicle lamp may be lowered.

[0005] An embodiment according to the present disclosure aims to provide a vehicle lamp that shortens the maximum length of the emission surface in the vertical direction and has high light extraction efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a vehicle lamp capable of irradiating light through an emission surface in a forward direction in a front-rear direction intersecting the vertical direction, and includes a first light source unit capable of directly or indirectly emitting light in a direction along the vertical direction, a first reflector including a first reflecting surface that reflects a part of the light emitted from the first light source unit in the forward direction, a second reflector disposed above the first reflecting surface along the vertical direction, the second reflector including a pair of second reflecting surfaces capable of reflecting, in a left direction and a right direction, the light that proceeds without being reflected by the first reflecting surface among the light emitted from the first light source unit, in a left-right direction intersecting each of the front-rear direction and the vertical direction, a third reflector disposed in the left direction and the right direction of the first reflecting surface in the left-right direction, corresponding to the pair of second reflecting surfaces, the third reflector including a pair of third reflecting surfaces that reflect the light reflected by the pair of second reflecting surfaces in the forward direction, and a first lens including the emission surface, the first lens being configured to receive each of the light reflected by the first reflecting surface and the light reflected by the pair of third reflecting surfaces and emit the light in the forward direction through the emission surface, wherein a maximum length of the first lens in the vertical direction is shorter than a maximum length of the first lens in the left-right direction.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp that shortens a maximum length of an emission surface in the vertical direction and has high light extraction efficiency.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] The vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the following embodiments illustrate the vehicle lamp for embodying the technical idea of the present disclosure and are not limited thereto. In addition, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure only thereto without specific description, but are merely illustrative examples. Note that the sizes, positional relationships, etc. of the members shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation. In the following description, the same names and reference numerals indicate the same or similar members, and detailed descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. As a cross-sectional view, an end view showing only the cut surface may be used.

[0010] In each drawing, as a direction expression, a rectangular coordinate system having an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis is used. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are orthogonal to each other. The X direction along the X-axis indicates the left-right direction, the Y direction along the Y-axis indicates the vertical direction, and the Z direction along the Z-axis indicates the front-back direction. The direction in which the arrow points in the X direction is denoted as the +X direction, and the opposite direction of the +X direction is denoted as the -X direction. The +X direction corresponds to the left direction, and the -X direction corresponds to the right direction. The direction in which the arrow points in the Y direction is denoted as the +Y direction, and the opposite direction of the +Y direction is denoted as the -Y direction. The +Y direction corresponds to the upward direction, and the -Y direction corresponds to the downward direction. The direction in which the arrow points in the Z direction is denoted as the +Z direction, and the opposite direction of the +Z direction is denoted as the -Z direction. The +Z direction corresponds to the front direction, and the -Z direction corresponds to the rear direction. However, the vertical direction, the left-right direction, and the front-back direction do not necessarily have to be orthogonal to each other as long as they intersect with each other.

[0011] In the terms of the embodiment, the top view means a view of the object seen from above. In the terms of the embodiment, the front view means a view of the object seen from the front. In the terms of the embodiment, the side view means a view of the object seen from the right. In the following embodiments, along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis means that the object has an inclination within a range of ±20° with respect to these axes.

[0012] In addition, in this specification or the claims, when there are a plurality of certain components and they are to be expressed separately, they may be distinguished by appending "first", "second", etc. to the head of each component. Also, there may be cases where the objects to be distinguished in this specification and the claims are different. Therefore, even if a component with the same appendix as in this specification is described in the claims, the object specified by this component may not match between this specification and the claims.

[0013] [First Embodiment] <Configuration of Vehicle Lamp According to First Embodiment> With reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, the configuration of the vehicle lamp according to the first embodiment will be described. FIGS. 1 to 8 are diagrams showing an example of the vehicle lamp 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the vehicle lamp 100. FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the vehicle lamp 100. FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the vehicle lamp 100. FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the vehicle lamp. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the vehicle lamp 100. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 3. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 5. FIG. 9 is a schematic top view showing an example of the first light source unit 1 of the vehicle lamp 100. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the spread angle of the light L emitted from the vehicle lamp 100 in the left-right direction and the angle formed by the pair of third reflecting surfaces 40.

[0014] In FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 5, after the light emitted from the first light source unit 1 of the vehicle lamp 100, the lights L1 to L5 among the lights emitted from the vehicle lamp 100 are represented by a plurality of straight lines. Also, in order to make the path through which the light passes easier to understand, in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 5, the plurality of straight lines representing each of the lights L1 to L5 are superimposed on the members and displayed.

[0015] The vehicle lamp 100 is a vehicle lamp capable of irradiating light L through the emission surface 520 in the forward direction (+Z direction) in the front-rear direction (Z direction) intersecting the vertical direction (Y direction). The vehicle lamp 100 is a lamp such as a headlight mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile.

[0016] The vehicle lamp 100 includes a first light source unit 1 capable of directly or indirectly emitting light L1 in a direction along the vertical direction, and a first reflector 2 including a first reflecting surface 20 that reflects a part of the light L1 emitted from the first light source unit 1 in the forward direction (+Z direction). The vehicle lamp 100 also includes a second reflector 3 disposed above the first reflecting surface 20 along the vertical direction (+Y direction), and having a pair of second reflecting surfaces 30 capable of reflecting the light L2 that travels without being reflected by the first reflecting surface 20 among the light L1 emitted from the first light source unit 1, in the left direction (+X direction) and the right direction (-X direction) in the left-right direction (X direction) intersecting each of the front-rear direction and the vertical direction. Further, the vehicle lamp 100 includes a third reflector 4 disposed corresponding to the pair of second reflecting surfaces 30 in the left direction and the right direction of the first reflecting surface 20 in the left-right direction, and having a pair of third reflecting surfaces 40 that reflect the light L3 reflected by the pair of second reflecting surfaces 30 in the forward direction. The vehicle lamp 100 also includes a first lens 5 including the emission surface 520, and having the light L4 reflected by the first reflecting surface 20 and the light L5 reflected by the pair of third reflecting surfaces 40 incident thereon respectively, and emitting the light L in the forward direction through the emission surface 520. The first lens 5 may be composed of one lens or a plurality of lenses. In the present embodiment, the first lens 5 is composed of two lenses, a first cylindrical lens 51 and a second cylindrical lens 52. In the vehicle lamp 100, the maximum length Wy of the first lens 5 in the vertical direction is shorter than the maximum length Wx of the first lens 5 in the left-right direction. The vehicle lamp 100 irradiates the light L including the light L4 and the light L5 in the forward direction through the emission surface 520.

[0017] For example, in a vehicle lamp, in order to improve the design property of the vehicle when the vehicle lamp is disposed on the vehicle, it may be required to shorten the maximum length of the light emitting surface of the vehicle lamp in the vertical direction. However, when the maximum length of the light emitting surface of the vehicle lamp in the vertical direction is shortened, the light emitted from the first projection lens decreases, which may reduce the light extraction efficiency from the vehicle lamp.

[0018] In the vehicle lamp 100, the maximum length Wy of the first lens 5 in the vertical direction is shorter than the maximum length Wx of the first lens 5 in the left-right direction. Thereby, in the vehicle lamp 100, the maximum length H of the light emitting surface 520 in the vertical direction can be shortened as compared with the case where the maximum length Wy of the first lens 5 in the vertical direction is longer than the maximum length Wx of the first lens 5 in the left-right direction.

[0019] On the one hand, if the maximum length Wy of the first lens 5 in the vertical direction is made shorter than the maximum length Wx of the first lens 5 in the horizontal direction, among the light L1 emitted from the first light source unit 1, the light that does not enter the first lens 5 in the vertical direction increases, and the light extraction efficiency of the vehicle lamp 100 may decrease. The vehicle lamp 100 reflects the light L2 that travels without being reflected by the first reflecting surface 20 among the light L1 emitted from the first light source unit 1 to the left and right directions by a pair of second reflecting surfaces 30 provided in the second reflector 3. This light L2 corresponds to the light that does not enter the first lens 5 in the vertical direction due to the fact that the maximum length Wy of the first lens 5 is shorter than the maximum length Wx among the light L1 emitted from the first light source unit 1. The vehicle lamp 100 reflects the light L3, which is the light obtained by reflecting the light L2 by the pair of second reflecting surfaces 30, forward by a pair of third reflecting surfaces 40 provided in the third reflector 4, and makes the light L5, which is the reflected light of the light L3, enter the first lens 5. The first lens 5 receives the light L4 reflected by the first reflecting surface 20 and the light L5 reflected by the pair of third reflecting surfaces 40 respectively, and emits them forward through the emission surface 520. The vehicle lamp 100 can emit the light L5 derived from the light L2 from the first lens 5 in addition to the light L4. Thereby, in the vehicle lamp 100, it is possible to reduce the decrease in the light extraction efficiency caused by making the maximum length Wy of the first lens 5 shorter than the maximum length Wx. Also, in the vehicle lamp 100, after reflecting the light L2 to the left and right directions by the pair of second reflecting surfaces 30, it is reflected forward by the pair of third reflecting surfaces 40 and made to enter the first lens 5. For this reason, in the vehicle lamp 100, the maximum length Wy of the first lens 5 in the vertical direction does not become longer.

[0020] As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the vehicle lamp 100 that has a high light extraction efficiency while shortening the maximum length H of the emission surface 520 in the vertical direction.

[0021] In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the vehicle lamp 100 has a light shielding member 6 disposed between the first reflecting surface 20 and the first lens 5. The vehicle lamp 100 can irradiate the light L of the low beam distribution by shielding a part of the light L4 from the first reflecting surface 20 toward the first lens 5 with the light shielding member 6. However, the vehicle lamp 100 may irradiate the light L of the high beam distribution. When irradiating the light L of the high beam distribution, the vehicle lamp 100 does not have to include the light shielding member 6.

[0022] Hereinafter, the details of the configuration of the vehicle lamp 100 will be described.

[0023] (First light source unit 1) The first light source unit 1 shown in FIG. 9 is, for example, an LED. The first light source unit 1 has a package 11 and a light emitting unit 12.

[0024] In the example shown in FIG. 9, the package 11 is a wiring board provided with wiring connected to the light emitting unit 12 in a base material made of a sintered body, and a resin member disposed so as to surround the periphery of the light emitting unit. The wiring board is one in which wiring is provided on a sintered body of aluminum nitride or a sintered body of silicon carbide. Further, the wiring board may be a wiring board in which an insulating layer is formed on the surface of a metal and a wiring pattern is further provided. The metal is copper, aluminum, or the like. The resin member is a resin member having light shielding properties and preferably having light reflectivity. As the resin member, for example, a thermosetting resin, a thermoplastic resin, or the like can be used. Specifically, examples of the resin member include a resin containing particles of a light reflective substance.

[0025] The light emitting unit 12 is configured to include a light emitting element, a wavelength conversion member, etc., and emits light L1 of a desired color. The light emitting element is, for example, a semiconductor light emitting element. For a light emitting element that emits blue light, a light emitting element that emits green light, or a light emitting element that emits ultraviolet light, a semiconductor light emitting element including a nitride semiconductor can be used. As the nitride semiconductor, for example, GaN-based semiconductors such as GaN, InGaN, and AlGaN can be used. For an LED that emits red light, GaAs-based semiconductors such as InAlGaP-based, GaInP-based, GaAs, and AlGaAs can be used. When the vehicle lamp is used as a headlight, the light emitting unit 12 can emit white light by using a blue semiconductor light emitting element and a yellow wavelength conversion member.

[0026] The first light source unit 1 shown in FIG. 9 includes a light emitting surface 120 facing upward. In the vehicle lamp 100, when the maximum length of the light emitting surface 120 in the left-right direction is dx and the maximum length of the light emitting surface 120 in the front-rear direction is dz, it is preferable that 1.0 ≦ dx / dz ≦ 3.0. By satisfying this condition, in the vehicle lamp 100, for the first lens 5 whose maximum length Wy in the vertical direction is shorter than the maximum length Wx in the left-right direction, the light from the first light source unit 1 can be efficiently incident. As a result, the vehicle lamp 100 can increase the light extraction efficiency.

[0027] In the first light source unit 1, as an example, the maximum length dx can be set to 1.60 mm and the maximum length dz can be set to 0.75 mm. As another example, the maximum length d3 from the right end of the light emitting surface 120 to the right end of the package 11 can be set to 0.50 mm, the maximum length d4 from the rear end of the light emitting surface 120 to the rear end of the package 11 can be set to 0.35 mm, and the maximum length d5 from the front end of the light emitting surface 120 to the front end of the package 11 can be set to 2.0 mm.

[0028] In the vehicle lamp 100, it is preferable that the maximum length H of the emission surface 520 in the vertical direction is 20.0 mm or less, and the maximum length dz of the light-emitting surface 120 in the front-rear direction is 1.2 mm or less. By satisfying this condition, in the vehicle lamp 100, light from the first light source unit 1 can be efficiently incident on the first lens 5. As a result, the vehicle lamp 100 can achieve high light extraction efficiency.

[0029] The first light source unit 1 may have a plurality of light-emitting surfaces 120 and include a plurality of light-emitting portions 12. When the first light source unit 1 includes a plurality of light-emitting portions 12, the maximum length dx corresponds to the maximum length from the left outer edge to the right outer edge of the plurality of light-emitting portions 12 as a whole. Also, the maximum length dz corresponds to the maximum length from the front outer edge to the rear outer edge of the plurality of light-emitting portions 12 as a whole.

[0030] The first light source unit 1 is not limited to the light-emitting surface 120 facing upward, and may include a light-emitting surface 120 facing either upward or downward (-Y direction).

[0031] The first light source unit 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 can directly emit the light L1 upward. This "directly" means that with the light-emitting surface 120 included in the first light source unit 1 facing upward, the light L1 is emitted upward from the light-emitting surface 120. However, the first light source unit 1 can directly emit the light L1 in either the upward or downward direction. Also, the first light source unit 1 may indirectly emit the light L1 upward along the vertical direction. This "indirectly" means that with the light-emitting surface 120 included in the first light source unit 1 facing a direction other than upward, the light L1 emitted from the light-emitting surface 120 is reflected upward by an optical member, thereby being emitted upward. However, the first light source unit 1 can indirectly emit the light L1 in either the upward or downward direction along the vertical direction. The optical member can be composed of a mirror, a prism, a diffraction grating, or a combination thereof, etc.

[0032] (First reflector 2, second reflector 3, and third reflector 4) In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, each of the first reflector 2, the second reflector 3, and the third reflector 4 may be formed of resin. Each of the first reflector 2, the second reflector 3, and the third reflector 4 is preferably configured to include a metal material such as aluminum or silver at least on the reflecting surface. A dielectric multilayer film may be provided on at least one of the first reflecting surface 20 of the first reflector 2, the pair of second reflecting surfaces 30 provided in the second reflector 3, and the pair of third reflecting surfaces 40 provided in the third reflector 4.

[0033] In the vehicle lamp 100, at least one of the first reflecting surface 20 and the second reflecting surface 30 may include an elliptical surface. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, each of the first reflecting surface 20 and the second reflecting surface 30 includes an elliptical surface. Here, the elliptical surface refers to a surface having two foci and capable of reflecting light emitted from one focus and converging it to the other focus.

[0034] By including an elliptical surface in at least one of the first reflecting surface 20 and the second reflecting surface 30, the light L1 emitted from the first light source unit 1 can be reflected and focused by the elliptical surface. Thereby, the spread of the light L1 emitted from the first light source unit 1 can be suppressed, and the light L1 emitted from the first light source unit 1 can be efficiently incident on the first lens 5. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the vehicle lamp 100 can efficiently incident the reflected and focused light by the first reflecting surface 20 on the first lens 5. Further, the vehicle lamp 100 reflects and focuses the light L2 that travels without being reflected by the first reflecting surface 20 in the left and right directions by the pair of second reflecting surfaces 30. The vehicle lamp 100 can efficiently incident the light L3 reflected and focused by the pair of second reflecting surfaces 30 on the first lens 5 by reflecting it with the pair of third reflecting surfaces 40. However, in the vehicle lamp 100, it is not limited to the configuration in which at least one of the first reflecting surface 20 and the second reflecting surface 30 includes an elliptical surface. Each of the first reflecting surface 20, the second reflecting surface 30, and the third reflecting surface 40 may be a surface having various shapes such as a plane, a concave surface, a convex surface, a spherical surface, an aspherical surface, or a diffractive surface.

[0035] In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the first reflector 2 is a concave mirror including a first reflecting surface 20 having an elliptical surface. In the first reflector 2, the upper, lower, and front directions of the concave mirror are each open. The second reflector 3 includes a pair of second reflecting surfaces 30 arranged above the first reflecting surface 20, namely, a second reflecting surface 30 having an elliptical surface facing the lower left direction and a second reflecting surface 30 having an elliptical surface facing the lower right direction. The pair of second reflecting surfaces 30 reflect the light L2 in the left-right direction. The third reflector 4 includes a pair of third reflecting surfaces 40, namely, a third reflecting surface 40 having an elliptical surface located to the left of the second reflecting surface 30 corresponding to the second reflecting surface 30 facing the lower left direction and a third reflecting surface 40 having an elliptical surface located to the right of the second reflecting surface 30 corresponding to the second reflecting surface 30 facing the lower right direction. The pair of third reflecting surfaces 40 reflect the light L3 from the pair of second reflecting surfaces 30 in the front direction.

[0036] In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the second reflector 3 and the third reflector 4 are integrally formed as one member. By integrally forming the second reflector 3 and the third reflector 4, it becomes unnecessary to adjust the relative position and relative inclination of the pair of third reflecting surfaces 40 with respect to the pair of second reflecting surfaces 30, so that the manufacture of the vehicle lamp 100 can be facilitated. However, the second reflector 3 and the third reflector 4 may be configured as separate members spaced apart from each other. By configuring the second reflector 3 and the third reflector 4 as separate members, the relative position and relative inclination of the pair of third reflecting surfaces 40 with respect to the pair of second reflecting surfaces 30 can be adjusted, so that the processing of the second reflector 3 and the third reflector 4 can be facilitated. Note that the shapes of the second reflector and the third reflector 4 can be appropriately changed according to the specifications of the vehicle lamp 100 and the like.

[0037] In the example shown in FIG. 10, the pair of third reflecting surfaces 40 in the third reflector 4 each have a planar shape. The spreading angle θa in the left-right direction of the light L irradiated through the emission surface 520 is determined by the angle θb formed between the pair of third reflecting surfaces 40. In the vehicle headlamp 100, by predetermining the angle θb formed between the pair of third reflecting surfaces 40, the spreading angle θa in the left-right direction of the light L irradiated from the vehicle headlamp 100 can be easily determined, and the irradiation range of the vehicle headlamp 100 in the left-right direction can be easily determined.

[0038] (First lens 5) The first lens 5 shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 includes a first cylindrical lens 51 having curvature only in the left-right direction and a second cylindrical lens 52 having curvature only in the vertical direction. The light L4 reflected by the first reflecting surface 20 passes through each of the first cylindrical lens 51 and the second cylindrical lens 52. The light L5 reflected by the third reflecting surface 40 passes through only the second cylindrical lens 52. With this configuration, compared to the case where a lens that is a rotationally symmetric body around the optical axis of the lens is used as the first lens 5, it becomes easier to make the maximum length of the first lens 5 in the vertical direction shorter than the maximum length of the first lens 5 in the left-right direction. Also, since the light L5 reflected by the third reflecting surface 40 is not transmitted through the first cylindrical lens 51 and is transmitted through only the second cylindrical lens 52, the number of interfaces of the lens through which the light L5 is incident can be reduced. Thereby, in the vehicle headlamp 100, the light quantity loss due to interface reflection can be reduced, and the light extraction efficiency can be increased.

[0039] In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the second cylindrical lens 52 is positioned forward of the first cylindrical lens 51. With this configuration, for example, by shortening the focal length of the first cylindrical lens 51, the light L emitted from the vehicle lamp 100 can be easily spread in the left - right direction. Also, for example, by increasing the focal length of the second cylindrical lens 52, the light L emitted from the vehicle lamp 100 can be narrowed in the vertical direction. Thus, it is possible to realize a light distribution that is wide in the left - right direction and narrow in the vertical direction while reducing the light quantity loss.

[0040] The first lens 5 is not limited to a configuration including the first cylindrical lens 51 and the second cylindrical lens 52. The first lens 5 may be a lens having a large curvature in one direction, preferably a cylindrical lens having a curvature only in one direction. Also, the first lens 5 may be a single lens, may be three or more lenses, and may include a lens that is rotationally symmetric about the optical axis of the lens.

[0041] In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, each of the first cylindrical lens 51 and the second cylindrical lens 52 is a plano - convex lens with a convex front surface and a flat rear surface. However, the first lens 5 may include various types of lenses such as a biconvex lens, a plano - concave lens, a meniscus lens, a Fresnel lens, and a diffractive lens.

[0042] When the first lens 5 includes a plurality of lenses, the maximum length Wy of the first lens 5 in the vertical direction corresponds to the length from the uppermost outer edge to the lowermost outer edge of the entire plurality of lenses when viewed from the front. The maximum length Wz of the first lens 5 in the left - right direction corresponds to the length from the leftmost outer edge to the rightmost outer edge of the entire plurality of lenses when viewed from the front.

[0043] The first lens 5 shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 includes a first cylindrical lens 51 and a second cylindrical lens 52. When viewed from the front, the uppermost outer edge of the entire first cylindrical lens 51 and second cylindrical lens 52 is the upper outer edge of the first cylindrical lens 51. Also, when viewed from the front, the lowermost outer edge of the entire first cylindrical lens 51 and second cylindrical lens 52 is the lower outer edge of each of the first cylindrical lens 51 and the second cylindrical lens 52. Therefore, the maximum length Wy of the first lens 5 in the vertical direction is the length from the upper outer edge of the first cylindrical lens 51 to the lower outer edges of each of the first cylindrical lens 51 and the second cylindrical lens 52. Also, when viewed from the front, the leftmost outer edge of the entire first cylindrical lens 51 and second cylindrical lens 52 is the left outer edge of the second cylindrical lens 52. Also, when viewed from the front, the rightmost outer edge of the entire first cylindrical lens 51 and second cylindrical lens 52 is the right outer edge of the second cylindrical lens 52. Therefore, the maximum length Wx of the first lens 5 in the left-right direction is the length from the left outer edge of the second cylindrical lens 52 to the right outer edge of the second cylindrical lens 52.

[0044] In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the shape of the outer edge of each of the first cylindrical lens 51 and the second cylindrical lens 52 when viewed from the front is substantially rectangular. However, the shape of the outer edge of the lens included in the first lens 5 when viewed from the front may be substantially circular, substantially elliptical, or substantially polygonal, etc., if the maximum length Wy of the first lens 5 is shorter than the maximum length Wx.

[0045] The first lens 5 is configured to include a glass material or a resin material having translucency. As the resin material, an acrylic resin, a polycarbonate resin, or the like can be used.

[0046] (Light-shielding member 6) The light-shielding member 6 shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 is a member that blocks a part of the light reflected by the first reflecting surface 20 of the first reflector 2. Note that "blocking light" in the light-shielding member 6 means that the transmittance of the irradiated light is less than 1%. The light-shielding member 6 has light-absorbing properties. "Light absorption" in the light-shielding member 6 means that the reflectance of the irradiated light is less than 1%. The light-shielding member 6 is preferably dark-colored, and more preferably black. The light-shielding member 6 is made of, for example, a metal material, and may be painted black on the surface. Alternatively, the light-shielding member 6 may be made of, for example, a resin material and may be painted black on the surface. Also, the light-shielding member 6 may be made of a light-absorbing material such as carbon black. However, the light-shielding member 6 may have light-reflecting properties.

[0047] <An example of the low beam light distribution by the vehicle lamp 100> FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the low beam light distribution irradiated from the vehicle lamp 100. FIG. 11 shows the simulation result of the low beam light distribution irradiated from the vehicle lamp 100. Also, FIG. 11 shows the luminous intensity distribution of the light irradiated from the vehicle lamp 100 on the irradiation surface substantially orthogonal to the front-rear direction by contour lines. The cut-off line is slanted upward to the right so as not to dazzle oncoming vehicles and cut off the light illuminating upward.

[0048] [Second Embodiment] Next, the vehicle lamp according to the second embodiment will be described. Note that the same names and reference numerals as those in the already described embodiments indicate the same or similar members or configurations, and the detailed description will be omitted as appropriate. This also applies to the embodiments shown hereinafter.

[0049] <Configuration of the vehicle lamp according to the second embodiment> FIG. 12 is a schematic side view showing an example of the vehicle lamp 100a according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 12, a part of the light L41 irradiated through the emission surface 520 of the vehicle lamp 100a is indicated by a dashed arrow, and a part of the light L42 irradiated through the emission surface 520 is indicated by a solid arrow.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 12, the vehicle lamp 100a includes a light-shielding member 6 disposed between the first reflecting surface 20 and the first lens 5, and a fourth reflector 7 having a fourth reflecting surface 70. The light-shielding member 6 shields light by reflecting a part of the light L4 from the first reflecting surface 20 upward. The fourth reflecting surface 70 is disposed above the light-shielding member 6 corresponding to the light-shielding member 6, and reflects the light L41 reflected by the light-shielding member 6 forward. The first lens 5 receives the light L41 reflected by the fourth reflecting surface 70 and emits it forward through the emission surface 520. In the vehicle lamp 100a, these points are mainly different from the first embodiment.

[0051] In the example shown in FIG. 12, among the light L4 reflected by the first reflecting surface 20 of the first reflector 2, a part of the light L41 enters the fifth reflecting surface 60 provided in the light-shielding member 6. The light-shielding member 6 shields light by reflecting the light L41 upward by the fifth reflecting surface 60. On the other hand, the light L42, which is the light other than substantially the light L41 among the light L4, is incident on the first lens 5 without being reflected by the fifth reflecting surface 60. The vehicle lamp 100a can irradiate the light L including the light L41 and the light L42 incident on the first lens 5 forward through the emission surface 520. Note that the vehicle lamp 100a may irradiate the light L including the above-described light L5, in addition to the light L41 and the light L42, forward through the emission surface 520.

[0052] Here, for example, a vehicle lamp generates a low beam by shielding a part of the light from the light source unit with a light-shielding member. In a vehicle lamp, the light extraction efficiency may decrease because the light shielded by the light-shielding member is not included in the irradiation light from the vehicle lamp.

[0053] The vehicle lamp 100a according to this embodiment is configured such that the light shielding member 6 shields light by reflecting a part of the light L4, which has been emitted from the first light source unit 1 and then reflected by the first reflecting surface 20, upward. Then, the vehicle lamp 100a reflects the light L41 reflected by the light shielding member 6 forward by the fourth reflecting surface 70 and makes it enter the first lens 5. As a result, in the vehicle lamp 100a, the light L41 shielded by the light shielding member 6 can be included in the irradiation light from the vehicle lamp 100a. Consequently, in this embodiment, the light extraction efficiency of the vehicle lamp 100a can be increased.

[0054] The direction in which the light shielding member 6 reflects the light L41 is not limited to upward, and may be at least one of upward and downward. The fourth reflecting surface 70 may be disposed at least one of upward and downward with respect to the light shielding member 6 corresponding to the light shielding member 6. That is, when the light shielding member 6 reflects the light L41 upward, the fourth reflecting surface 70 may be disposed upward of the light shielding member 6. Further, when the light shielding member 6 reflects the light L41 downward, the fourth reflecting surface 70 may be disposed upward of the light shielding member 6. Moreover, when the light shielding member 6 reflects the light L41 in both upward and downward directions, the fourth reflecting surface 70 may be disposed in each of the upward and downward directions of the light shielding member 6.

[0055] As the light shielding member 6 included in the vehicle lamp 100a, a prism or a mirror having a fifth reflecting surface 60 can be used. The fifth reflecting surface 60 may be formed of a metal film such as aluminum or silver provided on the prism or the mirror.

[0056] The fourth reflector 7 can be configured to include a metal material such as aluminum or silver. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the fourth reflector 7 is a plate-like member provided at the front end of the second reflector 3. The fourth reflector 7 may be integrally formed with at least one of the second reflector 3 and the third reflector 4 as one member. Alternatively, the fourth reflector 7 may be configured as a member separate from each of the second reflector 3 and the third reflector 4.

[0057] [Third Embodiment] Next, the vehicle lamp according to the third embodiment will be described.

[0058] <Configuration of the vehicle lamp according to the third embodiment> With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the vehicle lamp according to the third embodiment will be described. FIGS. 13 and 14 are diagrams showing an example of the vehicle lamp 100b according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic top view of the vehicle lamp 100b. FIG. 14 is a schematic front view of the vehicle lamp 100b.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the vehicle lamp 100b includes a plurality of first units 10 each including a first light source unit 1, a first reflector 2, a second reflector 3, a third reflector 4, and a first lens 5. The plurality of first units 10 are arranged side by side in the left - right direction. In the vehicle lamp 100b, these points are mainly different from the first embodiment.

[0060] In the vehicle lamp 100b, by having a plurality of first units 10, the amount of irradiation light emitted from the vehicle lamp 100b can be increased as compared with the case of having only one first unit 10. Also, in the vehicle lamp 100b, by arranging the plurality of first units 10 in the left - right direction, the maximum length H of the emission surface 520 in the vertical direction of the vehicle lamp 100b can be made substantially equal to the maximum length of the emission surface in the vertical direction of each of the plurality of first units 10. Thereby, in the vehicle lamp 100b, even when having a plurality of first units 10, the maximum length of the emission surface 520 in the vertical direction can be shortened.

[0061] Further, the vehicle lamp 100b can change the light distribution of the light L irradiated from the vehicle lamp 100b by individually changing the light emission state of the first light source unit 1 provided in each of the plurality of first units 10. Thereby, in the vehicle lamp 100b, the light distribution of the light L irradiated from the vehicle lamp 100b can be diversified.

[0062] In addition, the vehicle lamp 100b shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 further includes at least one second unit 80 having a second light source unit 81 capable of emitting light directly or indirectly in a direction along the vertical direction, a fifth reflector 82 that reflects a part of the light emitted from the second light source unit 81 forward, and a second lens 83. At least one second unit 80 can irradiate light with a light distribution different from the light distribution of the light irradiated from the plurality of first units 10. Further, the vehicle lamp 100b shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 further includes a light shielding member 61 disposed between the fifth reflector 82 and the second lens 83.

[0063] In the vehicle lamp 100b, by using at least one second unit 80 and a plurality of first units 10 to enable irradiation of light with different light distributions, the light distribution of the light irradiated from the vehicle lamp 100b can be efficiently made into a desired light distribution.

[0064] In the example shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, three second units 80 are disposed between two first units 10 disposed in the left direction and two first units 10 disposed in the right direction. The three second units 80 irradiate light on the central region of the irradiation surface that is substantially orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The total of four first units 10 disposed in the left-right direction irradiate light on the region around the central region irradiated with light by the three second units 80 on the irradiation surface. On the irradiation surface, light with a light distribution obtained by synthesizing the light distribution by the three second units 80 and the light distribution by the four first units 10 is obtained.

[0065] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the light distribution by the four first units 10 included in the vehicle lamp 100b. FIG. 15 shows the simulation result of the light distribution of the light emitted from the four first units 10. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the light distribution by the three second units 80 included in the vehicle lamp 100b. FIG. 16 shows the simulation result of the light distribution of the light emitted from the three second units 80. FIGS. 15 and 16 show the light intensity distribution on the irradiation surface that is substantially orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the light emitted from the vehicle lamp 100 by contour lines. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, both the light distribution by the first unit 10 and the light distribution by the second unit 80 have a cut-off line formed, and the light distribution is suitable for a low beam.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the light distribution of the light emitted from the three second units 80 is different from the light distribution of the light emitted from the four first units 10. In FIG. 15, the density of the contour lines is high near the center. Therefore, it can be seen that the three second units 80 can irradiate light with a high light intensity in the central region of the irradiation surface. On the other hand, in FIG. 16, the density of the contour lines is high in the periphery near the center compared to the vicinity of the center. Therefore, it can be seen that the four first units 10 can irradiate light with a high light intensity in the peripheral region of the irradiation surface. By combining the light distribution of the light emitted from the three second units 80 and the light distribution of the light emitted from the four first units 10, in the vehicle lamp 100b, for example, light with a light distribution similar to the low beam light distribution shown in FIG. 11 can be efficiently obtained. The numbers of the first unit 10 and the second unit 80 are not limited to the examples in FIGS. 15 and 16 and can be adjusted as appropriate. Also, the arrangement of the first unit 10 and the second unit 80 is not limited to the examples in FIGS. 15 and 16 and can be arranged as appropriate. For example, the second unit 80 may be arranged at the left and right ends.

[0067] In an embodiment, the vehicle lamp 100a according to the second embodiment and the vehicle lamp 100b according to the third embodiment can also be combined. Specifically, each of the plurality of first units 10 in the vehicle lamp 100b can further include a light-shielding member 6 disposed between the first reflecting surface 20 and the first lens 5, and a fourth reflector 7 having a fourth reflecting surface 70. Thereby, the effects of the second embodiment and the third embodiment can be obtained together.

[0068] As described above, the preferred embodiments have been described in detail. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope described in the claims.

[0069] The numbers such as ordinal numbers and quantities used in the description of the embodiments are all exemplified for specifically explaining the technology of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplified numbers. Also, the connection relationship between the components is exemplified for specifically explaining the technology of the present disclosure, and the connection relationship for realizing the functions of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0070] Since the vehicle lamp of the present disclosure has a short maximum length of the light-emitting surface in the vertical direction and a high light extraction efficiency, it can be particularly preferably used as a vehicle lamp. In the embodiment, the vehicle lamp of the present disclosure takes a headlight as an example, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the vehicle lamp can be used for various purposes such as a communication lamp and a daytime running lamp. Further, the vehicle lamp of the present disclosure is not limited to being mounted on a vehicle. The vehicle lamp of the present disclosure is not limited to a vehicle lamp, and may be used as a lamp for an aircraft such as a helicopter or a drone, for example.

[0071] Aspects of the present disclosure are, for example, as follows. <Item 1> A vehicle lamp capable of irradiating light through an emission surface in the forward direction in the front-rear direction intersecting the vertical direction, comprising: a first light source unit capable of directly or indirectly emitting light in a direction along the vertical direction; a first reflector having a first reflecting surface that reflects a part of the light emitted from the first light source unit in the forward direction; a second reflector disposed above the first reflecting surface along the vertical direction, and having a pair of second reflecting surfaces capable of reflecting the light that travels without being reflected by the first reflecting surface among the light emitted from the first light source unit, in the left and right directions intersecting each of the front-rear direction and the vertical direction; a third reflector disposed in the left and right directions of the first reflecting surface in the left and right directions, corresponding to the pair of second reflecting surfaces, and having a pair of third reflecting surfaces that reflect the light reflected by the pair of second reflecting surfaces in the forward direction; and a first lens including the emission surface, receiving the light reflected by the first reflecting surface and the light reflected by the pair of third reflecting surfaces respectively, and emitting the light in the forward direction through the emission surface. The maximum length of the first lens in the vertical direction is shorter than the maximum length of the first lens in the left and right directions. It is a vehicle lamp. <Item 2> The vehicle lamp according to <Item 1>, wherein at least one of the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface includes an elliptical surface. <Item 3> The first lens includes a first cylindrical lens having curvature only in the left and right directions and a second cylindrical lens having curvature only in the vertical direction. The light reflected by the first reflecting surface passes through each of the first cylindrical lens and the second cylindrical lens, and the light reflected by the third reflecting surface passes through only the second cylindrical lens. It is the vehicle lamp according to <Item 1> or <Item 2>. <Item 4> The vehicle lamp according to <Item 3>, wherein the second cylindrical lens is located in the forward direction relative to the first cylindrical lens. <Item 5> The first light source unit includes a light emitting surface facing either the upward direction or the downward direction along the vertical direction. When the maximum length of the light emitting surface in the left-right direction is dx and the maximum length of the light emitting surface in the front-rear direction is dz, 1.0 ≦ dx / dz ≦ 3.0. The vehicle lamp according to any one of <Item 1> to <Item 4>. <Item 6> The maximum length of the light emitting surface in the vertical direction is 20.0 mm or less, and the maximum length of the light emitting surface in the front-rear direction is 1.2 mm or less. The vehicle lamp according to <Item 5>. <Item 7> There are a plurality of first units including the first light source unit, the first reflector, the second reflector, the third reflector, and the first lens. The plurality of first units are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The vehicle lamp according to any one of <Item 1> to <Item 6>. <Item 8> By individually changing the light emission state of the first light source unit included in each of the plurality of first units, the light distribution of the light emitted from the vehicle lamp can be changed. The vehicle lamp according to <Item 7>. <Item 9> The pair of third reflecting surfaces each have a planar shape, and the spreading angle in the left-right direction of the light irradiated through the light emitting surface is determined by the angle formed between the pair of third reflecting surfaces. The vehicle lamp according to any one of <Item 1> to <Item 8>. <Item 10> Further includes a light shielding member disposed between the first reflecting surface and the first lens, and a fourth reflector having a fourth reflecting surface. The light shielding member shields light by reflecting at least a part of the light from the first reflecting surface in at least one of the upward direction and the downward direction along the vertical direction. The fourth reflecting surface is disposed in at least one of the upward direction and the downward direction of the light shielding member corresponding to the light shielding member, reflects the light reflected by the light shielding member in the forward direction, the first lens receives the light reflected by the fourth reflecting surface, and emits the light in the forward direction through the light emitting surface. The vehicle lamp according to any one of <Item 1> to <Item 9>. <Item 11> At least one second unit having a second light source unit capable of emitting light directly or indirectly in a direction along the vertical direction, a fifth reflector that reflects a part of the light emitted from the second light source unit in the forward direction, and a second lens, wherein the at least one second unit is capable of irradiating light having a light distribution different from the light distribution of the light irradiated from the plurality of first units, the vehicle lamp according to <Item 7>.

Explanation of Signs

[0072] 1 First light source unit 11 Package 12 Light emitting part 120 Light emitting surface 2 First reflector 20 First reflecting surface 3 Second reflector 30 Pair of second reflecting surfaces 4 Third reflector 40 Pair of third reflecting surfaces 5 First lens 51 First cylindrical lens 52 Second cylindrical lens 520 Exit surface 6, 61 Light shielding member 60 Fifth reflecting surface 7 Fourth reflector 70 Fourth reflecting surface 80 Second unit 81 Second light source unit 82 Fifth reflector 83 Second lens 10 First unit dx Maximum length of the light emitting surface in the left - right direction dz Maximum length of the light emitting surface in the front - rear direction d3 Maximum length from the right - hand end of the light emitting surface to the right - hand end of the package d4 Maximum length from the rear - hand end of the light emitting surface to the rear - hand end of the package d5 Maximum length from the front - hand end of the light emitting surface to the front - hand end of the package H Length of the exit surface in the vertical direction L1, L2, L3, L4, L41, L42, L5 light Wx Maximum length of the first lens in the left - right direction Wy Maximum length of the first lens in the vertical direction θa Divergence angle in the left - right direction of the light irradiated through the exit surface θb Angle formed by a pair of third reflecting surfaces

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp capable of irradiating light through an emission surface in a forward direction in a front-rear direction intersecting the vertical direction, comprising: a first light source unit capable of emitting light directly or indirectly in a direction along the vertical direction; a first reflector having a first reflecting surface for reflecting a part of the light emitted from the first light source unit in the forward direction; a second reflector disposed above the first reflecting surface along the vertical direction, and having a pair of second reflecting surfaces capable of reflecting the light that proceeds without being reflected by the first reflecting surface among the light emitted from the first light source unit, in left and right directions intersecting each of the front-rear direction and the vertical direction; a third reflector disposed corresponding to the pair of second reflecting surfaces in left and right directions of the first reflecting surface in the left-right direction, and having a pair of third reflecting surfaces for reflecting the light reflected by the pair of second reflecting surfaces in the forward direction; a first lens including the emission surface, and having the light reflected by the first reflecting surface and the light reflected by the pair of third reflecting surfaces incident thereon respectively, and emitting the light in the forward direction through the emission surface; A vehicle lamp, wherein a maximum length of the first lens in the vertical direction is shorter than a maximum length of the first lens in the left-right direction.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface includes an elliptical surface.

3. The first lens includes: a first cylindrical lens having a curvature only in the left-right direction; a second cylindrical lens having a curvature only in the vertical direction; the light reflected by the first reflecting surface passes through each of the first cylindrical lens and the second cylindrical lens; The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the light reflected by the third reflecting surface passes through only the second cylindrical lens.

4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3, wherein the second cylindrical lens is located in the forward direction with respect to the first cylindrical lens.

5. The first light source unit includes a light emitting surface facing either upward or downward along the vertical direction; When a maximum length of the light emitting surface in the left-right direction is dx and a maximum length of the light emitting surface in the front-rear direction is dz, 1.0 ≦ dx / dz ≦ 3.

0. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or claim 2.

6. A maximum length of the emission surface in the vertical direction is 20.0 mm or less. The vehicle lamp according to claim 5, wherein a maximum length of the light emitting surface in the front-rear direction is 1.2 mm or less.

7. The vehicle lamp includes a plurality of first units each including the first light source unit, the first reflector, the second reflector, the third reflector, and the first lens. The plurality of first units are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and the vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or claim 2.

8. The vehicle lamp according to claim 7, wherein the light distribution of the light emitted from the vehicle lamp can be changed by individually changing the light emission state of the first light source unit included in each of the plurality of first units.

9. Each of the pair of third reflecting surfaces has a planar shape. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a spread angle in the left-right direction of the light irradiated through the emission surface is determined by an angle formed between the pair of third reflecting surfaces.

10. A light shielding member disposed between the first reflecting surface and the first lens, and a fourth reflector having a fourth reflecting surface. The light shielding member shields light by reflecting at least a part of the light from the first reflecting surface in at least one of the upward direction and the downward direction along the vertical direction. The fourth reflecting surface is disposed in at least one of the upward direction and the downward direction of the light shielding member corresponding to the light shielding member, and reflects the light reflected by the light shielding member in the forward direction. The first lens receives the light reflected by the fourth reflecting surface and emits the light in the forward direction through the emission surface, and the vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or claim 2.

11. The vehicle lamp further includes at least one second unit having a second light source unit capable of emitting light directly or indirectly in a direction along the vertical direction, a fifth reflector that reflects a part of the light emitted from the second light source unit in the forward direction, and a second lens. The at least one second unit can irradiate light having a light distribution different from the light distribution of the light irradiated from the plurality of first units, and the vehicle lamp according to claim 7. ​

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