Vehicular lighting fixture

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting fixture that can be downsized.SOLUTION: A vehicular lighting fixture comprises a light source for emitting light, a condenser lens for condensing the light from the light source, a light blocking member comprising a slit through which the light condensed by the condenser lens is passed, and a projection lens for forming an irradiation pattern by projecting the light passed through the light blocking member. The condenser lens is formed so as to condense the light toward a rear side principal point of the projection lens.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] A vehicle lamp having a shade that blocks part of the light from a light source and a projection lens that projects the light passing through the shade to the rear of the vehicle is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the vehicle lamp as described in Patent Document 1, it is required to miniaturize the overall configuration.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle lamp that can be miniaturized.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vehicle lamp according to the present invention includes a light source that emits light, a condenser lens that condenses the light from the light source, a light shielding member having a slit that allows the light condensed by the condenser lens to pass through, and a projection lens that projects the light passing through the light shielding member to form an irradiation pattern. The condenser lens is formed so as to condense light toward the rear principal point of the projection lens.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp that can be miniaturized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of a vehicle lamp according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment. In addition, the constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be replaced by those skilled in the art and are easy to replace, or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] In the following description, the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions are the directions in the vehicle-mounted state in which the vehicle lamp is mounted on the vehicle, and indicate the directions when viewed from the driver's seat in the traveling direction of the vehicle. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the up-down direction is parallel to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are parallel to the horizontal direction. In addition, the center side in the left-right direction of the vehicle is referred to as the inside of the vehicle, and the side part side in the left-right direction of the vehicle is referred to as the outside of the vehicle.

[0011] Also, each direction on the front side and the rear side is assumed to be the direction in a state where it is mounted on a vehicle (vehicle-mounted state). For example, in a state where it is mounted on the front part (front) of the vehicle, the front is the front direction (front side), and the rear is the rear direction (rear side). Also, in a state where it is mounted on the rear part (rear) of the vehicle, the rear is the front direction (front side), and the front is the rear direction (rear side). Also, in a state where it is mounted on the side part (side) of the vehicle, the outside of the vehicle is the front direction (front side), and the inside of the vehicle is the rear direction (rear side).

[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a vehicle lamp according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a vehicle lamp according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view showing a cross section by a plane perpendicular to the horizontal direction and along the optical axis of the condenser lens. FIG. 3 is a view showing an enlarged part of FIG. 2. Note that in FIG. 3, the configuration of the support member 50 is omitted. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the present embodiment, a configuration in which the vehicle lamp 100 is mounted on the rear part (rear) of the vehicle will be described as an example. The vehicle lamp 100 includes a light source unit 10, a condenser lens 20, a light shielding member 30, a projection lens 40, and a support member 50.

[0013] The light source unit 10 emits light for forming an irradiation pattern behind the vehicle. The light source unit 10 has a plurality of light sources 11 arranged in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the light source unit 10 has, for example, two light sources 11. Note that the number of light sources 11 may be one or three or more. The light source 11 is a semiconductor light source such as an LED, for example. The light source 11 has a light emitting surface 11a that emits light. The light emitting surface 11a is directed in the front direction. In the present embodiment, the light sources 11 are arranged on both sides in the vertical direction with respect to the reference axis AX. Here, the reference axis AX is a virtual straight line that passes through the rear focal point of the projection lens 40 described later and extends in the front-rear direction along the horizontal plane. In the present embodiment, one of the two light sources 11 (hereinafter referred to as the light source 11U) is arranged above the reference axis AX. The other of the two light sources 11 (hereinafter referred to as the light source 11D) is arranged below the reference axis AX. The light source 11D is arranged such that the vertical distance from the reference axis AX is shorter than that of the light source 11U. Further, the light source 11D is arranged at the position of the rear focal point 25 of the first lens unit 21 of the condenser lens 20 described later. The light source 11U is arranged at the position of the rear focal point 26 of the second lens unit 22 of the condenser lens 20 described later.

[0014] The light source 11 is mounted on the mounting surface 12a of the substrate 12. The substrate 12 is, for example, in the shape of a rectangular plate, and wiring, circuits, etc. for supplying power to the light source 11 are formed thereon. The substrate 12 is arranged in a state orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the reference axis AX. The substrate 12 is supported by the support member 50.

[0015] The condenser lens 20 condenses the light from the light source unit 10 and emits it to the front side. The condenser lens 20 is formed using a material that can transmit the light from the light source 11. Examples of such a material include resin materials such as polycarbonate, but other materials may be used. The condenser lens 20 has a first lens unit (lower lens unit) 21 and a second lens unit (upper lens unit) 22.

[0016] The first lens unit 21 and the second lens unit 22 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. The first lens unit 21 is arranged below the reference axis AX. The first lens unit 21 has an incident surface 21a and an exit surface 21b. The incident surface 21a is formed by, for example, a free-form surface protruding toward the light source 11 side. The exit surface 21b is formed by, for example, a free-form surface protruding toward the light shielding member 30 side.

[0017] The second lens unit 22 is arranged above the reference axis AX. The second lens unit 22 has an incident surface 22a and an exit surface 22b. The incident surface 22a is formed by, for example, a free-form surface protruding toward the light source 11 side. The exit surface 22b is formed by, for example, a free-form surface protruding toward the light shielding member 30 side and has a shape with a part of the lower side cut out. More specifically, as shown by the two-dot chain line portion in FIG. 3, the exit surface 22b has a shape with a part of the lower side cut out when based on a surface that is symmetric in the vertical direction in a cross-sectional view with the vertex 22c on the front side as a reference. In the second lens unit 22, the vertex 22c of the exit surface 22b is arranged below the emission axis CX of the light source 11U. With this configuration, when arranging the exit surface 22b within a limited range in the vertical direction, the portion near the vertex on the front side and the portion above the vertex can be used in an enlarged state in the vertical direction, so that light can be efficiently emitted downward.

[0018] The condenser lens 20 is formed so as to condense light toward the rear principal point 45 of a projection lens 40 described later. In the present embodiment, at least the first lens unit 21 is formed so as to condense light toward the rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40. With this configuration, the distance from the condenser lens 20 to the light shielding member 30 can be shortened compared to a configuration in which the condenser lens 20 condenses light at the position of the light shielding member 30 (slit 33) described later. Note that each of the first lens unit 21 and the second lens unit 22 may be formed so as to condense light toward the rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40.

[0019] The light-shielding member 30 has a slit forming portion 31 and a protruding portion 32. The light-shielding member 30 is formed in a flat plate shape as a single member with the slit forming portion 31 and the protruding portion 32. The light-shielding member 30 is entirely formed using a material capable of shielding light. Examples of such materials include materials such as metals, but other materials may also be used. Note that the light-shielding member 30 may have a configuration in which the slit forming portion 31 and the protruding portion 32 are formed as separate members.

[0020] The slit forming portion 31 has a slit 33. The slit 33 allows a part of the light condensed by the condenser lens 20 to pass through. The slit 33 is formed, for example, in a state where three are arranged in the vertical direction. Hereinafter, when distinguishing the slits 33, they are denoted as slits 33a, 33b, and 33c in order from the lower side. The number and arrangement of the slits 33 are not limited to the above. Each slit 33 is arranged to extend upward from the reference axis AX. Note that the slit 33 can have a configuration having a portion that extends in the vertical direction above the reference axis AX. In this case, for example, a configuration in which the entire slit 33 is arranged above the reference axis AX may be used, or a configuration in which a part of the slit 33 straddles the reference axis AX in the vertical direction may be used.

[0021] The protruding portion 32 protrudes linearly in the left-right direction from the slit forming portion 31. The corners on both sides in the left-right direction of the protruding portion 32 have a rounded shape. Both the front and rear surfaces of the protruding portion 32 are flat.

[0022] The light-shielding member 30 is formed so as to cover the condenser lens 20 when viewed from the front side. With this configuration, it is possible to shield the light that has passed through the condenser lens 20 with the light-shielding member 30.

[0023] The projection lens 40 includes a lens portion 41, a cylindrical portion 42, and an overhanging portion 43. The lens portion 41 projects the light that has passed through the slit 33 onto the road surface behind (front side) of the vehicle to form an irradiation pattern. The projection lens 40 is arranged such that the front side of the projection lens optical axis BX is inclined downward. In the present embodiment, the rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40 is arranged below the reference axis AX.

[0024] The projection lens 40 is formed such that the lens portion 41, the cylindrical portion 42, and the overhanging portion 43 are formed as one member. Note that the projection lens 40 may be configured such that at least one of the lens portion 41, the cylindrical portion 42, and the overhanging portion 43 is formed of a separate member.

[0025] The lens portion 41 is formed using a material that can transmit the light from the light source 11. Examples of such a material include resin materials such as acrylic, but other materials may also be used. In this case, the entire projection lens 40 can be easily formed by integrally molding using the material constituting the lens portion 41. Note that the projection lens 40 may be formed such that at least a part of a portion different from the lens portion 41, that is, at least a part of the cylindrical portion 42 and the overhanging portion 43, is formed using a material different from that of the lens portion 41.

[0026] The lens portion 41 has an incident surface 41a and an exit surface 41b. The incident surface 41a receives the light that has passed through the slit 33. The exit surface 41b emits the light incident from the incident surface 41a to the front side.

[0027] The cylindrical portion 42 holds the lens portion 41. The cylindrical portion 42 is, for example, cylindrical. The cylindrical portion 42 connects between the lens portion 41 and the overhanging portion 43. The cylindrical portion 42 is provided so as to protrude toward the front side with respect to the overhanging portion 43. With this configuration, the lens portion 41 is disposed on the front side with respect to the overhanging portion 43.

[0028] The overhanging portion 43 holds the lens portion 41 via the cylindrical portion 42. The overhanging portion 43 is flat plate-shaped.

[0029] The support member 50 supports the light source unit 10, the condenser lens 20, the light shielding member 30, and the projection lens 40. The support member 50 includes a base portion 51, fins 52, and a fixing portion 53. The base portion 51 has a flat plate shape. The base portion 51 has a support surface 51a that supports the light source unit 10. The support surface 51a is the front surface of the base portion 51 and supports the substrate 12.

[0030] The fins 52 project rearward from the base portion 51. A plurality of fins 52 are provided. The fins 52 release the heat generated in the light source 11. The fixing portion 53 fixes each of the light source unit 10, the condenser lens 20, the light shielding member 30, and the projection lens 40 by a screw member 60 (see FIG. 1).

[0031] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, in the front-rear direction, the first distance D1 from the slit 33 of the light shielding member 30 to the rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40 is equal to or less than twice the second distance D2 from the light source 11 to the light shielding member 30. For example, the first distance D1 can be set to 14.8 mm, the second distance D2 can be set to 7.5 mm, and the focal length BF of each lens portion of the first lens portion 21 and the second lens portion 22 of the condenser lens 20 can be set to 1 mm or more, for example.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an irradiation pattern formed on the road surface by the vehicle lamp 100. In response to an operation such as a reverse gear by the driver or in conjunction with the lighting of a back lamp (reverse lamp) or the like, the vehicle lamp 100 emits light from the light emitting surface 11a of the light source 11.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the light (hereinafter referred to as light ray L1) emitted from the light emitting surface 11a of the lower light source 11D enters the incident surface 21a of the first lens portion 21 of the condenser lens 20. The light ray L1 that has entered the incident surface 21a travels inside the first lens portion 21 and is emitted from the emission surface 21b toward the front side. The light ray L1 is emitted by the first lens portion 21 so as to be condensed toward the rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40.

[0034] The light ray L1 mainly reaches the lower slit 33a among the three slits 33a, 33b, and 33c of the light-shielding member 30 and its vicinity. A part of the light ray L1 (hereinafter referred to as light ray L1a) passes through the slit 33 of the light-shielding member 30, and the rest (hereinafter referred to as light ray L1b) is shielded by the light-shielding member 30.

[0035] The light ray L1a that has passed through the slit 33 enters the lens unit 41 from the incident surface 41a of the projection lens 40, and is emitted from the exit surface 41b to form a pattern Pa (see FIG. 5), which is a part of the irradiation pattern P (see FIG. 5), on the front side (rearward) of the vehicle.

[0036] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the light (hereinafter referred to as light ray L2) emitted from the light-emitting surface 11a of the upper light source 11U enters the incident surface 22a of the second lens unit 22 of the condenser lens 20. The light ray L2 that has entered the incident surface 22a travels through the second lens unit 22 and is emitted from the exit surface 22b to the front side. The light ray L2 is emitted by the second lens unit 22 so as to be condensed at the rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40.

[0037] The light ray L2 mainly reaches the central and upper slits 33b and 33c in the vertical direction among the three slits 33 of the light-shielding member 30 and their vicinity. A part of the light ray L2 (hereinafter referred to as light ray L2a) passes through the slit 33 of the light-shielding member 30, and the rest (hereinafter referred to as light ray L2b) is shielded by the light-shielding member 30.

[0038] The light ray L2a that has passed through the slit 33 enters the lens unit 41 from the incident surface 41a of the projection lens 40, and is emitted from the exit surface 41b to form patterns Pb and Pc at a position closer to the vehicle than the above-mentioned pattern Pa in the irradiation pattern P on the front side (rearward) of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 5.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a cross-section of a light beam for the light emitted from the condenser lens 20. Here, as an example, an example of the light emitted from the first lens unit 21 is shown. FIG. 6(A) shows the cross-section of the light beam by a plane perpendicular to the reference axis AX for the position P1 in FIG. 4, FIG. 6(B) shows the cross-section of the light beam by a plane perpendicular to the reference axis AX for the position P2 in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6(C) shows the cross-section of the light beam by a plane perpendicular to the reference axis AX for the position P3 in FIG. 4. Note that the position P2 is the position of the slit 33a. Also, the position P1 is a position on the back side (the condenser lens 20 side) of the position P2, and the position P3 is a position on the front side (the projection lens 40 side) of the position P2.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 6(A) to 6(C), at the position P2, the density (light beam density) of the central portion C1 of the light beam C is the highest in cross-sectional view compared to the positions P1 and P3. In the present embodiment, the light source 11 is disposed at the position of the rear focal point 25 of the condenser lens 20, the slit 33 is disposed at the position of the rear focal point 46 of the projection lens 40, and in the front-back direction, the first distance D1 from the slit 33 to the rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40 is twice the second distance D2 from the light source 11 to the slit 33. Therefore, the light shielding member 30 (slit 33) can be disposed at the position P2 where the light beam density is the highest. With this arrangement, since the light in the portion with the highest light beam density can be used for pattern formation, the luminance of the pattern formed on the front (rear) of the vehicle can be increased.

[0041] As described above, the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment includes a light source 11 that emits light, a condenser lens 20 that condenses the light from the light source 11, a light shielding member 30 having a slit 33 that allows the light condensed by the condenser lens 20 to pass through, and a projection lens 40 that projects the light that has passed through the light shielding member 30 to form an irradiation pattern P, and the condenser lens 20 is formed to condense light at the rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40.

[0042] According to this configuration, compared with a configuration in which the condenser lens 20 condenses light at the position of the light shielding member 30 (slit 33), the distance from the condenser lens 20 to the light shielding member 30 can be shortened. As a result, the overall dimensions of the vehicle lamp 100 in the front-rear direction can be suppressed, and thus the vehicle lamp 100 can be miniaturized.

[0043] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, the light source 11 is disposed at the position of the rear focal point 25 of the condenser lens 20, the slit 33 is disposed at the position of the rear focal point 46 of the projection lens 40, and in the front-rear direction, a first distance D1 from the slit 33 to the rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40 is not more than twice a second distance D2 from the light source 11 to the slit 33.

[0044] According to this configuration, in the front-rear direction, the slit 33 can be disposed at the position where the light beam density of the light emitted from the condenser lens 20 is the highest. With this arrangement, since the light in the portion with the highest light beam density can be used for pattern formation, the luminous intensity of the pattern formed on the front (rear) of the vehicle can be increased.

[0045] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, taking a virtual straight line that passes through the rear focal point of the projection lens 40 and extends in the front-rear direction along the horizontal plane as a reference axis AX, the light sources 11 are provided one on each of the upper and lower sides with respect to the reference axis AX.

[0046] According to this configuration, light with sufficient brightness can be supplied to the light shielding member 30 in a well-balanced manner in the up-down direction across the reference axis AX.

[0047] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, the light source 11D provided on the lower side has a shorter vertical distance from the reference axis AX than the light source 11U provided on the upper side.

[0048] According to this configuration, brighter light can be supplied to the lower side of the reference axis AX of the light shielding member 30.

[0049] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment, the condenser lens 20 has a second lens portion 22 corresponding to the light source 11U provided on the upper side and a first lens portion 21 corresponding to the light source 11D provided on the lower side, and at least the first lens portion 21 is formed to condense light toward the rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40.

[0050] According to this configuration, light from different light sources 11D and 11U can be condensed separately.

[0051] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment, the second lens portion 22 has a shape in which the apex 22c of the emission surface 22b is disposed below the emission axis CX of the light source 11U and a part of the lower side of the emission surface 22b is cut out.

[0052] According to this configuration, in the second lens portion 22 disposed on the upper side, since the apex 22c of the emission surface 22b is disposed below the emission axis CX of the light source 11U and a part of the lower side of the emission surface 22b is cut out, light can be efficiently emitted downward while securing the diameter of the emission surface 22b. Thereby, the light distribution pattern P can be irradiated more downward.

[0053] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment, the projection lens 40 is disposed such that the front side of the optical axis BX of the projection lens 40 is inclined downward.

[0054] According to this configuration, since light can be emitted downward from the projection lens 40, the irradiation pattern P can be surely formed on the road surface.

[0055] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and appropriate changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, a configuration in which a plurality of light sources 11, that is, one is provided across the reference axis AX vertically, is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

[0056] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing another example of the vehicle lamp according to the present embodiment. In the vehicle lamp 200 shown in FIG. 7, one light source 111 is provided on the reference axis AX in the light source unit 110, and a configuration in which the condenser lens 120 has one lens unit 121 will be described as an example. Further, one slit 133 is provided in the light shielding member 130. The slit 133 is disposed at the position of the rear focal point 146 of the projection lens 140. Other configurations are the same as those of the vehicle lamp 100 described above.

[0057] Further, in the vehicle lamp 200 shown in FIG. 7, in the front-rear direction, the third distance D3 from the slit 133 of the light shielding member 130 to the rear principal point 145 of the projection lens 140 can be set to be twice or more the fourth distance D4 from the light source 111 to the light shielding member 130. For example, the third distance D3 can be 15 mm, the fourth distance D4 can be 7.5 mm, and the focal length BF2 of the lens unit 121 of the condenser lens 120 can be 1 mm or more.

[0058] In the vehicle lamp 200, the light emitted from the light emitting surface 111a of the light source 111 (hereinafter referred to as the light ray L) enters the incident surface 121a of the lens unit 121 of the condenser lens 120. The light ray L incident on the incident surface 121a travels through the lens unit 121 and is emitted from the emission surface 121b to the front side. The light ray L is emitted by the lens unit 121 so as to be focused on the rear principal point 145 of the projection lens 140.

[0059] The light ray L reaches the slit 133 and its vicinity. A part of the light ray L (hereinafter referred to as the light ray La) passes through the slit 133 of the light shielding member 130, and the rest (hereinafter referred to as the light ray Lb) is shielded by the light shielding member 130.

[0060] The light ray La that has passed through the slit 133 enters the lens unit 141 from the incident surface 141a of the projection lens 140, is emitted from the emission surface 141b, and forms an irradiation pattern on the front side (rearward) of the vehicle.

[0061] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the vehicle lamp 100 is described by taking as an example the configuration in which it is disposed at the rear of the vehicle M, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The vehicle lamp 100 may be configured to be disposed at the front or side of the vehicle M and to form an irradiation pattern on the road surface in front of or to the side of the vehicle M.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0062] AX... reference axis, BX... projection lens optical axis, CX... emission axis, L, L1, L2, La, L1a, L2a... light rays, M... vehicle, P... irradiation pattern, Pa, Pb, Pc... patterns, P1, P2, P3... positions, 10... light source unit, 11, 11D, 11U, 111... light sources, 11a, 111a... light emitting surfaces, 12... substrate, 12a... mounting surface, 20, 120... condenser lens, 21... first lens unit, 21a, 22a, 41a, 121a, 141a... incident surfaces, 21b, 22b, 41b, 121b, 141b... exit surfaces, 21c... vertex, 22... second lens unit, 25, 46... rear-side foci, 30, 130... light shielding members, 31... slit forming portion, 32, 43... overhanging portions, 33, 33a, 33b, 33c, 133... slits, 40, 140... projection lens, 41, 121, 141... lens units, 42... cylindrical portion, 45, 145... rear-side principal points, 50... support member, 51... base portion, 51a... support surface, 52... fin, 53... fixing portion, 100, 200... vehicle lamps

Claims

1. A light source that emits light, a condenser lens that condenses the light from the light source, a light-shielding member having a slit that allows the light condensed by the condenser lens to pass through, a projection lens that projects the light that has passed through the light-shielding member to form an irradiation pattern and is provided with, the condenser lens is formed so as to condense light toward the rear principal point of the projection lens A vehicle lamp.

2. The light source is disposed at the rear focal position of the condenser lens, the slit is disposed at the rear focal position of the projection lens, In the front-back direction, the distance from the slit to the rear principal point of the projection lens is not more than twice the distance from the light source to the slit The vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

3. Taking a virtual straight line passing through the rear focal point of the projection lens and extending in the front-back direction along the horizontal plane as a reference axis, the light sources are provided one on each of the upper and lower sides with respect to the reference axis The vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

4. The light source provided on the lower side has a shorter vertical distance from the reference axis than the light source provided on the upper side The vehicle lamp according to claim 3.

5. The condenser lens has an upper lens portion corresponding to the light source provided on the upper side and a lower lens portion corresponding to the light source provided on the lower side, and at least the lower lens portion is formed so as to condense light toward the rear principal point of the projection lens The vehicle lamp according to claim 3.

6. The upper lens portion has a shape in which the apex of the exit surface is disposed below the exit axis of the light source and a part of the lower side of the exit surface is cut out The vehicle lamp according to claim 5.

7. The projection lens is disposed such that the front side of the optical axis of the projection lens is inclined downward The vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

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