Vehicle lighting device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle lighting device capable of simultaneously emitting first illumination light toward a road surface at a side of a vehicle and second illumination light toward a door surface at the side of the vehicle.SOLUTION: A vehicle lighting device 1A that is provided inside a design member 101 mounted on a side surface of a vehicle 100, emits first illumination light L1 toward a road surface T at the side of the vehicle, and emits second illumination light L2 toward a door surface D at the side of the vehicle, comprises: a light source 2 that emits light L serving as the first illumination light L1 and the second illumination light L2; a lower emission port 3 that emits the first illumination light L1 from a lower side of the design member 101; an upper emission port 4 that emits the second illumination light L2 from an upper side of the design member 101; and an optical system 5 that forms a first optical path E1 guiding the first illumination light L1 in the light L emitted from the light source 2 to the lower emission port 3, and a second optical path E2 guiding the second illumination light L2 to the upper emission port 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lighting device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, there is a vehicle lighting device that emits illumination light from below decorative components such as door protection moldings and side sill garnishes attached to the side of the vehicle toward the road surface on the side of the vehicle to brightly illuminate the area around the feet of occupants when they get in and out of the vehicle.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a vehicle lighting device that illuminates the lower area around the door opening on the side of the vehicle. By providing a side sill garnish below the door opening and arranging a lamp and a lamp garnish that holds the lamp on the underside of the side sill garnish, the vehicle lighting device is able to efficiently and appropriately illuminate the area around the feet of occupants when they get in and out of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-254257 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, the vehicle lighting device described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 only irradiates illumination light toward the road surface on the side of the vehicle, and is not configured to irradiate illumination light toward the door surface on the side of the vehicle.

[0006] The present invention has been proposed in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lighting device that is installed inside a decorative element attached to the side of a vehicle and is capable of irradiating a first illumination light toward the road surface on the side of the vehicle and a second illumination light toward the door surface on the side of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means. [1] A vehicle lighting device that is provided inside a design component attached to the side of a vehicle, and that irradiates a first illumination light toward a road surface on the side of the vehicle and a second illumination light toward a door surface on the side of the vehicle, a light source that emits light that becomes the first illumination light and the second illumination light; a lower exit port for emitting the first illumination light from the lower side of the design component; an upper exit port that emits the second illumination light from an upper side of the design component; a first optical path that guides the first illumination light to the lower exit port and a second optical path that guides the second illumination light to the upper exit port, out of the light emitted from the light source; [2] The vehicle lighting device according to [1], wherein the optical system makes the proportion of the first illumination light greater than the proportion of the second illumination light. [3] The optical system includes a light guide, The light guide body includes a first light guide portion extending from one end facing the light source to the other end, a branching section located on the other end side of the first light guiding section and branching the light guided inside the first light guiding section into the first illumination light and the second illumination light; a second light guiding section extending from the branching section toward the lower light exit port; a third light guiding section extending from the branching section toward the upper light exit port; an incident portion located on one end side of the first light guiding portion and allowing the light emitted from the light source to enter the inside of the first light guiding portion; a first light exit portion located at a tip end side of the second light guiding portion and configured to emit first illumination light guided inside the second light guiding portion toward the lower light exit port; The vehicle lighting device described in [1] is characterized in that it has a second exit portion located at the tip side of the third light-guiding portion and emitting the second illumination light guided inside the third light-guiding portion toward the upper exit port. [4] The branching section includes a first reflecting surface that reflects the first illumination light, of the light guided inside the first light guiding section, toward the second light guiding section, and a second reflecting surface that reflects the second illumination light, of the light guided inside the first light guiding section, toward the third light guiding section; the second light guiding portion includes a third reflecting surface that reflects the first illumination light toward the first emission portion; an optical axis of the light emitted from the light source is located on the first reflecting surface side; The vehicle lighting device described in [3], characterized in that of the first illumination light incident on the third reflecting surface, the light component closer to the optical axis is reflected from the side of the vehicle toward the road surface farther than the light component farther from the optical axis. [5] The vehicle lighting device according to [1], wherein the optical system includes a first reflector that reflects the first illumination light emitted from the light source toward the lower light outlet, and a second reflector that reflects the second illumination light while concentrating it toward the upper light outlet. [6] The optical axis of the light emitted from the light source is located on the side where the light is incident on the first reflector, The vehicle lighting device described in [5], characterized in that of the first illumination light reflected from the first reflector toward the lower exit, the light component closer to the optical axis is reflected more toward the side of the vehicle and further away from the road surface than the light component farther from the optical axis. [7] The optical system includes a light guide extending in the longitudinal direction of the design member, The light guide has an incident portion located at one end thereof facing the light source and through which the light emitted from the light source is incident. a reflecting portion that is located on the opposite side to the side facing the first reflector and the second reflector and that reflects light guided from the incident portion toward the other end toward the side facing the first reflector and the second reflector; The vehicle lighting device described in [5] is characterized in that it has an exit portion located on the side opposite the first reflector and the second reflector, which emits light reflected by the reflection portion toward the first reflector and the second reflector. [8] A housing is provided to cover the rear side of the design member, The vehicle lighting device described in [1] is characterized in that the light source and the optical system are arranged in an enclosed space formed between the decorative member and the housing. [9] The vehicle lighting device according to [8], wherein the housing is made of a white resin material.

[10] The vehicle lighting device according to [9], characterized in that a fourth reflecting surface is provided on the back side of the design member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As described above, according to the present invention, a vehicle lighting device is provided that is arranged inside a decorative element attached to the side of a vehicle and is capable of irradiating a first illumination light toward the road surface on the side of the vehicle and a second illumination light toward the door surface on the side of the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a first illumination light is emitted from the vehicle toward a road surface on a side thereof and a second illumination light is emitted from the vehicle toward a door surface on a side thereof in a vehicle lighting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vehicle lighting device taken along line AA shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a vehicle lighting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a vehicle lighting device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a vehicle lighting device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]6 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vehicle lighting device taken along line BB shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vehicle lighting device taken along line CC shown in FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings used in the following description, the dimensions of the components may be shown at different scales to make them easier to see, and the dimensional ratios of the components may not necessarily be the same as in reality.

[0011] In addition, in the drawings shown below, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is set up, and the X-axis direction is the fore-and-aft direction (length direction) of vehicle 100, the Y-axis direction is the left-and-right direction (width direction) of vehicle 100, and the Z-axis direction is the up-and-down direction (height direction) of vehicle 100.

[0012] (First embodiment) First, as a first embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle lighting device 1A shown in, for example, FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described.

[0013] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a first illumination light L1 is emitted from a vehicle 100 toward a road surface T on the side of the vehicle, and a second illumination light L2 is emitted from the vehicle 100 toward a door surface D on the side of the vehicle. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vehicle lighting device 1A taken along a line AA shown in FIG.

[0014] The vehicle lighting device 1A of this embodiment is provided inside a design element 101 attached to the side of a vehicle 100, as shown in FIG. 1, and emits a first illumination light L1 from the vehicle 100 toward a road surface T on the side, and a second illumination light L2 from the vehicle 100 toward a door surface D on the side.

[0015] This makes it possible to brightly illuminate the road surface T under the feet of the occupant when the occupant gets on or off the vehicle 100, and to decoratively illuminate the door surface D.

[0016] In this embodiment, the decorative element 101 is exemplified by a door protection molding attached along the lower end of each door 102 of the vehicle 100. On the other hand, the decorative element 101 may also be a side sill garnish attached along the side sill 103 of the vehicle 100.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle lighting device 1A of this embodiment comprises a light source 2 that emits light L, which becomes first illumination light L1 and second illumination light L2, a lower exit 3 that emits the first illumination light L1 from the lower side of the decorative element 101, an upper exit 4 that emits the second illumination light L2 from the upper side of the decorative element 101, and an optical system 5 that forms a first optical path E1 that guides the first illumination light L1 to the lower exit 3 and a second optical path E2 that guides the second illumination light L2 to the upper exit 4, of the light L emitted from the light source 2.

[0018] Furthermore, the vehicle lighting device 1A of this embodiment includes a housing 6 that covers the back side of the design member 101. On the other hand, the surface of the door 102 that faces the design member 101 is provided with a recess 102a.

[0019] The housing 6 has a shape that conforms to the surface of the door 102 facing the decorative element 101, including this recess 102a, and is attached integrally with the decorative element 101, abutting against the periphery of the rear side of the decorative element 101.

[0020] Furthermore, the light source 2 and the optical system 5 are arranged in an enclosed space K formed between the decorative element 101 and the housing 6. Therefore, the space between the decorative element 101 and the housing 6 forms an airtight sealed enclosure to prevent the intrusion of rainwater and the like from the outside.

[0021] The light source 2 is composed of a light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode (LED) that emits white light, and is mounted on one side of a circuit board 7 that is provided with a drive circuit for driving the light-emitting element. The circuit board 7 is placed on the bottom surface of a recess 6a that corresponds to the recess 102a of the housing 6. This causes the light source 2 to radially emit light L in the direction in which the design element 101 is located.

[0022] The light source 2 is not limited to one consisting of one light-emitting element, but may be one consisting of multiple light-emitting elements. The light source 2 is also not limited to one that emits white light, but may be one that emits light of other colors. Furthermore, the light source 2 may be configured to variably adjust the color tone of the light L using multiple light-emitting elements that emit different colored light.

[0023] The lower exit 3 and the upper exit 4 are constructed by providing transparent windows on the lower and upper sides, respectively, of the design element 101. The lower exit 3 and the upper exit 4 are also provided extending in the longitudinal direction of the design element 101 (the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 100).

[0024] The optical system 5 is composed of a light guide 50 that guides the light L emitted from the light source 2. The light guide 50 is made of a light-transmitting member such as a transparent resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic, or glass.

[0025] The light guide 50 has a first light guide section 50a extending from one end side facing the light source 2 to the other end side, a branch section 50b located on the other end side of the first light guide section 50a and branching the light L guided inside the first light guide section 50a into a first illumination light L1 and a second illumination light L2, a second light guide section 50c extending from the branch section 50b toward the lower light exit 3 side, and a third light guide section 50d extending from the branch section 50b toward the upper light exit side.

[0026] The branching portion 50b has a first reflecting surface 51a and a second reflecting surface 51b that are inclined in opposite directions at the other end of the first light guiding portion 50a. The branching portion 50b reflects, among the light L guided inside the first light guiding portion 50a, the light that is incident on the first reflecting surface 51a, i.e., the first illumination light L1, toward the second light guiding portion 50c, and reflects the light that is incident on the second reflecting surface 51b, i.e., the second illumination light L2, toward the third light guiding portion 50d.

[0027] In addition, in the branching section 50b, the optical axis AX of the light L emitted from the light source 2 is positioned (biased) toward the first reflecting surface 51a so that the proportion (light amount) of the first illumination light L1 reflected by the first reflecting surface 51a out of the light L guided inside the first light-guiding section 50a is greater than the proportion (light amount) of the second illumination light L2 reflected by the second reflecting surface 51b.

[0028] The light guide 50 has an incident portion 8 located at one end side of the first light guide portion 50a, a third reflecting surface 9 located on the side opposite to the first reflecting surface 51a of the second light guide portion 50c, a first exit portion 10 located at the tip side of the second light guide portion 50c, and a second exit portion 11 located at the tip side of the third light guide portion 50d.

[0029] The incident portion 8 has a lens shape that collects the light L radially emitted from the light source 2 toward the optical axis and causes the light L to enter the inside of the first light guiding portion 50a.

[0030] Specifically, this incident portion 8 has a first collecting incident surface 8a located in the center of the part facing the light source 2, on which a portion of the light L emitted from the light source 2 is incident, a second collecting incident surface 8b located on the inner side of a protrusion that protrudes toward the light source 2 from a position surrounding the periphery of the first collecting incident surface 8a, on which a portion of the light L emitted from the light source 2 is incident, and a collecting reflection surface 8c located on the outer side of the protrusion, which reflects the light L incident from the second collecting incident surface 8b.

[0031] In the incident unit 8, of the light L radially emitted from the light source 2, the light L that enters the first light guiding unit 50a from the first light-collecting incident surface 8a is collected toward the optical axis. On the other hand, the light L that enters the first light guiding unit 50a from the second light-collecting incident surface 8b is reflected by the light-collecting reflecting surface 8c, thereby collecting the light L toward the optical axis. This makes it possible for the light L radially emitted from the light source 2 to enter the first light guiding unit 50a while being collected or collimated toward the optical axis.

[0032] In addition, in the light guide 50, light L incident from the incident portion 8 is guided inside the first light guide portion 50a from one end side to the other end side, and then the first illumination light L1 reflected by the first reflecting surface 51a of the branching portion 50b is guided inside the second light guide portion 50c toward the tip side, and the second illumination light L2 reflected by the second reflecting surface 51b of the branching portion 50b is guided inside the third light guide portion 50d toward the tip side.

[0033] Incidentally, incident portion 8 is not limited to having the above-described lens shape, and may be configured to have, for example, a flat (planar) incident surface facing light source 2. Furthermore, branching portion 50b is not limited to having the above-described first reflecting surface 51a and second reflecting surface 51b, and may be configured to form a portion where second light guiding portion 50c and third light guiding portion 50d are branched from the other end side of first light guiding portion 50a while curving in opposite directions.

[0034] In this configuration, light L incident from the incident surface of the incident portion 8 is repeatedly reflected inside the first light-guiding portion 50a and guided from one end side to the other end side of the first light-guiding portion 50a, and then branches into the second light-guiding portion 50c and the third light-guiding portion 50d via the branching portion 50b, with the first illumination light L1 being repeatedly reflected inside the second light-guiding portion 50c and guided toward the tip side of the second light-guiding portion 50c, and the second illumination light L2 being repeatedly reflected inside the third light-guiding portion 50d and guided toward the tip side of the third light-guiding portion 50d.

[0035] The third reflecting surface 9 is provided at an angle from a position facing the first reflecting surface 51a of the second light guiding section 50c toward the first exit section 10. As a result, the first illumination light L1 incident on the third reflecting surface 9 is reflected toward the first exit section 10.

[0036] The first light exit section 10 has a first light exit surface 10a at the tip end side of the second light guiding section 50c, which faces the lower light exit port 3. The first light exit surface 10a is configured as a concavely curved surface in order to diffuse the first illumination light L1 that has entered the first light exit surface 10a.

[0037] The first emitting portion 10 emits the first illumination light L1 guided inside the second light guiding portion 50c from the first emitting surface 10a to the outside of the second light guiding portion 50c while diffusing it. As a result, the first illumination light L1 emitted from the first emitting surface 10a is irradiated through the lower emitting opening 3 toward the road surface T on the side of the vehicle while diffusing it.

[0038] The second exit section 11 has a second exit surface 11a at the tip end side of the third light guiding section 50d, which faces the upper exit port 4. The second exit surface 11a is configured as a concavely curved surface in order to diffuse the second illumination light L2 that has entered the second exit surface 11a.

[0039] The second illuminating light L2 guided inside the third light guiding section 50d is emitted from the second emitting surface 11a to the outside of the third light guiding section 50d while being diffused. As a result, the second illuminating light L2 emitted from the second emitting surface 11a is irradiated through the upper emitting port 4 toward the door surface D on the side of the vehicle while being diffused.

[0040] In the light guide 50 (optical system 5), the first optical path E1 is formed from the light source 2 in the order of the incident portion 8, the first light guide 50a, the first reflecting surface 51a (branching portion 50b), the second light guide 50c, the third reflecting surface 9, the first exit portion 10, and the lower exit port 3. On the other hand, the second optical path E2 is formed from the light source 2 in the order of the incident portion 8, the first light guide 50a, the second reflecting surface 51b (branching portion 50b), the second light guide 50c, the second exit portion 11, and the upper exit port 4.

[0041] In the vehicle lighting device 1A of this embodiment, multiple components shown in Fig. 2 are arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction of the design element 101 (the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 100). That is, multiple light sources 2 are arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction of the design element 101 (the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 100). The light guide 50 extends along the longitudinal direction of the design element 101 (the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 100), and is configured with an incident portion 8 at each portion facing the multiple light sources 2. This makes it possible to irradiate the first illumination light L1 and the second illumination light L2 along the longitudinal direction of the design element 101 (the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 100).

[0042] In the vehicle lighting device 1A of this embodiment having the above-described configuration, a simple configuration using the same light source 2 and light guide 50 as described above makes it possible to simultaneously irradiate a first illumination light L1 from the vehicle 100 toward a road surface T on the side and a second illumination light L2 from the vehicle 100 toward a door surface D on the side while keeping costs down.

[0043] In addition, in the vehicle lighting device 1A of this embodiment, by making the proportion of the above-mentioned first illumination light L1 greater than the proportion of the second illumination light L2, it is possible to make the illuminance of the first illumination light L1 that illuminates the road surface T relatively high and the illuminance of the second illumination light L2 that illuminates the door surface D relatively low.

[0044] In addition, in the vehicle lighting device 1A of this embodiment, of the first illumination light L1 incident on the above-mentioned third reflecting surface 9, the light component L1n closer to the optical axis AX is reflected further from the side of the vehicle toward the road surface T than the light component L1f farther from the optical axis AX.

[0045] In this case, the light component L1n closer to the optical axis AX has a higher luminous intensity than the light component L1f farther from the optical axis AX, and by irradiating the light component L1n closer to the optical axis AX from the side of the vehicle toward the far side of the road surface T and irradiating the light component L1f farther from the optical axis AX from the side of the vehicle toward the far side of the road surface T, it is possible to more uniformly irradiate the first illumination light L1 onto the road surface T.

[0046] (Second embodiment) Next, a vehicle lighting device 1B shown in FIG. 3 will be described as a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vehicle lighting device 1B. In the following description, the same components as those in the vehicle lighting device 1A will not be described and will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle lighting device 1B of this embodiment includes, as the optical system 5, a first reflector 61 and a second reflector 62 instead of the light guide 50.

[0049] The first reflector 61 has a first light-collecting and reflecting surface 61a that collects and reflects light L from the light source 2. The light source 2 is disposed on the rear side of the design member 101, and emits light L radially in the direction where the first light-collecting and reflecting surface 61a on the housing 6 side is located.

[0050] The first light-collecting reflecting surface 61a is formed integrally with the housing 6 by providing, for example, a concavely curved recess 6b at a position facing the light source 2 of the housing 6 and providing a reflective film 61b such as an aluminum vapor deposition film on the inner surface of this recess 6b.

[0051] The first reflector 61 is not necessarily limited to this configuration, and may be configured such that a reflective member such as a mirror having the first light-collecting reflective surface 61a is disposed separately from the housing 6.

[0052] The first reflector 61 reflects the light L radially emitted from the light source 2 that is incident on the first focusing reflecting surface 61a, i.e., the first illumination light L1, while focusing the light from the first focusing reflecting surface 61a toward the lower light exit 3.

[0053] As a result, the first illumination light L1 reflected by the first light collecting and reflecting surface 61a is irradiated toward the road surface T on the side of the vehicle through the lower light exit 3. Moreover, the first illumination light L1 reflected by the first light collecting and reflecting surface 61a is collected at a light collection point P near the lower light exit 3, and then is irradiated toward the road surface T while diffusing.

[0054] The housing 6 is made of, for example, a white resin material with light diffusing properties. A fourth reflecting surface 63 is provided on the back side of the design element 101. The fourth reflecting surface 63 is formed integrally with the design element 101, for example, by providing a white reflective film 63a along the back side of the design element 101 that forms the second optical path E2.

[0055] It should be noted that the fourth reflecting surface 63 is not necessarily limited to such a configuration, and may be configured, for example, using a reflective film such as an aluminum vapor deposition film, or a reflective member such as a mirror arranged separately from the decorative member 101.

[0056] The second reflector 62 has a second light-collecting reflecting surface 62a that collects and reflects a portion of the light L reflected by the first light-collecting reflecting surface 61a. The second light-collecting reflecting surface 62a is located below the housing 6 and is formed, for example, by a concave surface obtained by curving a portion of the housing 6 into a concave shape.

[0057] The second reflector 62 is not necessarily limited to this configuration, and may be configured such that a reflective film such as an aluminum vapor deposition film is provided on the inner surface of the concave surface that forms the second light-collecting reflecting surface 62a, or such that a reflective member such as a mirror having the second light-collecting reflecting surface 62a is arranged separately from the housing 6.

[0058] The second reflector 62 reflects, while concentrating, the light that is incident on the second collecting and reflecting surface 62a, i.e., the second illumination light L2, out of the light L radially emitted from the light source 2, from the second collecting and reflecting surface 62a downward toward the second reflector 62. The second illumination light L2 that is incident on the second collecting and reflecting surface 62a is reflected in a diffused state by the surface of the second collecting and reflecting surface 62a.

[0059] As a result, the second illumination light L2 reflected by the second focusing reflecting surface 62a is repeatedly reflected between the inner surface of the housing 6 and the fourth reflecting surface 63, and is irradiated in a diffused manner through the upper exit port 4 toward the door surface D on the side of the vehicle.

[0060] In the optical system 5 of this embodiment, the optical axis AX of the light L emitted from the light source 2 is positioned on the side where it enters the first reflector 61 so that the proportion (light amount) of the first illumination light L1 reflected by the first reflector 61 out of the light L emitted from the light source 2 is greater than the proportion (light amount) of the second illumination light L2 reflected by the second reflector 62.

[0061] In the optical system 5, the first optical path E1 is formed from the light source 2 through the first reflector 61 and the lower exit port 3 in this order. On the other hand, the second optical path E2 is formed from the light source 2 through the second reflector 62 and the upper exit port 4 in this order.

[0062] In the vehicle lighting device 1B of this embodiment, multiple configurations shown in Fig. 3 are arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction of the design element 101 (the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 100). That is, multiple light sources 2 are arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction of the design element 101 (the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 100). Furthermore, the optical system 5 is configured such that a first reflector 61 and a second reflector 62 are provided at each portion facing the multiple light sources 2. This makes it possible to irradiate the first illumination light L1 and the second illumination light L2 along the longitudinal direction of the design element 101 (the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 100).

[0063] In the vehicle lighting device 1B of this embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration, a simple configuration using the same light source 2 as described above and the first reflector 61 and second reflector 62 makes it possible to simultaneously irradiate the first illumination light L1 from the vehicle 100 toward the road surface T on the side and the second illumination light L2 from the vehicle 100 toward the door surface D on the side while keeping costs down.

[0064] In addition, in the vehicle lighting device 1B of this embodiment, by making the proportion of the above-mentioned first illumination light L1 greater than the proportion of the second illumination light L2, it is possible to make the illuminance of the first illumination light L1 that illuminates the road surface T relatively high and the illuminance of the second illumination light L2 that illuminates the door surface D relatively low.

[0065] In addition, in the vehicle lighting device 1B of this embodiment, of the first illumination light L1 reflected from the above-mentioned first light-collecting reflecting surface 61a toward the lower exit 3, the light component L1n closer to the optical axis AX is reflected more toward the side of the vehicle and further away from the road surface T than the light component L1f farther from the optical axis AX.

[0066] In this case, the light component L1n closer to the optical axis AX has a higher luminous intensity than the light component L1f farther from the optical axis AX, and by irradiating the light component L1n closer to the optical axis AX from the side of the vehicle toward the far side of the road surface T and irradiating the light component L1f farther from the optical axis AX from the side of the vehicle toward the far side of the road surface T, it is possible to more uniformly irradiate the first illumination light L1 onto the road surface T.

[0067] (Third embodiment) Next, a vehicle lighting device 1C shown in FIG. 4 will be described as a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vehicle lighting device 1C. In the following description, the same components as those in the vehicle lighting devices 1A and 1B will not be described and will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 4, a vehicle lighting device 1C of this embodiment includes, as an optical system 5, a first reflector 61, a second reflector 62, and a light guide 70 instead of the light guide 50.

[0070] The first reflector 61 and the second reflector 62 have basically the same configuration as the vehicle lighting device 1B shown in FIG.

[0071] The vehicle lighting device 1C of this embodiment includes a long rod-shaped light guide (hereinafter referred to as a "light guide rod") 70 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the design member 101 (the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100).

[0072] In the vehicle lighting device 1C of this embodiment, light L emitted from a light source 2 (not shown) enters the interior of the light guiding rod 70 from an entrance portion (not shown) provided on the base end side of the light guiding rod, and is guided toward the tip side of the light guiding rod 70 while repeatedly reflecting inside the light guiding rod 70. In addition, light L reflected by a reflecting portion 71 provided on the back side of the light guiding rod 70 is emitted to the outside of the light guiding rod 70 from an exit portion 72 provided on the front side of the light guiding rod 70. This allows light L emitted from the front side of the light guiding rod 70 to be incident on the first reflector 61 and the second reflector 62.

[0073] The incident portion is located on the base end side of the light guiding rod 70 and has a flat (planar) incident surface facing the light source 2. In the incident portion, light L emitted from the light source 2 enters the inside of the light guiding rod 70 from this incident surface.

[0074] In addition, the incident portion may have a lens shape that, like the incident portion 8 described above, focuses the light L radially emitted from the light source 2 toward the optical axis and enters the inside of the light guiding rod 70.

[0075] The reflective portion 71 is located in the center of the back side of the light guide rod 70 and has a plurality of reflective cuts 71a lined up in the direction in which the light guide rod 70 extends, and a pair of reflective surfaces 71b located on both sides of the center of the back side of the light guide rod 70 and inclined in opposite directions.

[0076] The plurality of reflection cuts 71a are not particularly limited in shape, size, number, etc., as long as they reflect the light L incident on the back side of the light guiding rod 70 at an angle at which the light L is emitted (transmitted) from the front side of the light guiding rod 70 to the outside. For example, in this embodiment, prism cuts having a substantially triangular cross section are provided as the plurality of reflection cuts 71a.

[0077] Furthermore, with regard to the multiple reflection cuts 71a, in order to make the light L emitted from the emission portion 72 more uniform in the direction in which the light guide rod 70 extends, it is possible to gradually narrow the spacing between adjacent reflection cuts 71a or gradually increase the depth from the base end side to the tip end side of the light guide rod 70.

[0078] The pair of reflecting surfaces 71b are continuous in the direction in which the light guiding rod 70 extends, and are formed by curved surfaces that are concavely curved in a vertical cross section perpendicular to the direction in which the light guiding rod 70 extends.

[0079] The pair of reflecting surfaces 71b is not necessarily limited to the shape described above, and may be configured, for example, as flat surfaces inclined so as to form a straight line in the vertical cross section of the light guiding rod .

[0080] In the reflecting portion 71, light L guided inside the light guiding rod is reflected toward the front side of the light guiding rod 70 when it is incident on the plurality of reflection cuts 71a and the pair of reflection surfaces 71b.

[0081] The exit portion 72 is located on the front side of the light guiding rod 70 and has an exit surface 72a that is continuous in the direction in which the light guiding rod 70 extends. The exit surface 72a is configured as a convexly curved surface in a vertical cross section of the light guiding rod 70. The exit portion 72 emits light L from the exit surface 72a to the outside of the light guiding rod 70 while diffusing it.

[0082] In the first reflector 61, the light L emitted from the exit surface 72a that is incident on the first collecting and reflecting surface 61a, i.e., the first illumination light L1, is reflected while being collected from the first collecting and reflecting surface 61a toward the lower exit port 3.

[0083] As a result, the first illumination light L1 reflected by the first light collecting and reflecting surface 61a is irradiated toward the road surface T on the side of the vehicle through the lower light exit 3. Moreover, the first illumination light L1 reflected by the first light collecting and reflecting surface 61a is collected at a light collection point P near the lower light exit 3, and then is irradiated toward the road surface T while diffusing.

[0084] The second reflector 62 reflects, while concentrating, the light L that is incident on the second collecting and reflecting surface 62a, i.e., the second illumination light L2, out of the light L emitted from the exit surface 72a, from the second collecting and reflecting surface 62a downward toward the second reflector 62. The second illumination light L2 that is incident on the second collecting and reflecting surface 62a is reflected in a diffused state by the surface of the second collecting and reflecting surface 62a.

[0085] As a result, the second illumination light L2 reflected by the second focusing reflecting surface 62a is repeatedly reflected between the inner surface of the housing 6 and the fourth reflecting surface 63, and is irradiated in a diffused manner through the upper exit port 4 toward the door surface D on the side of the vehicle.

[0086] In the vehicle lighting device 1C of this embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration, a simple configuration using the same light source 2 as described above, the first reflector 61, the second reflector 62, and the light guiding rod 70 makes it possible to simultaneously irradiate the first illumination light L1 from the vehicle 100 toward the road surface T on the side and the second illumination light L2 from the vehicle 100 toward the door surface D on the side while keeping costs down.

[0087] In addition, in the vehicle lighting device 1C of this embodiment, by making the proportion of the above-mentioned first illumination light L1 greater than the proportion of the second illumination light L2, it is possible to make the illuminance of the first illumination light L1 that illuminates the road surface T relatively high and the illuminance of the second illumination light L2 that illuminates the door surface D relatively low.

[0088] In addition, in the vehicle lighting device 1C of this embodiment, of the first illumination light L1 reflected from the above-mentioned first light-collecting reflecting surface 61a toward the lower exit 3, the light component L1n closer to the optical axis AX is reflected further from the side of the vehicle toward the road surface T than the light component L1f farther from the optical axis AX.

[0089] In this case, the light component L1n closer to the optical axis AX has a higher luminous intensity than the light component L1f farther from the optical axis AX, and by irradiating the light component L1n closer to the optical axis AX from the side of the vehicle toward the far side of the road surface T and irradiating the light component L1f farther from the optical axis AX from the side of the vehicle toward the far side of the road surface T, it is possible to more uniformly irradiate the first illumination light L1 onto the road surface T.

[0090] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a vehicle lighting device 1D shown in, for example, FIGS. 5 to 7 will be described as a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] Note that Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the vehicle lighting device 1D. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vehicle lighting device 1D taken along line BB shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vehicle lighting device 1D taken along line CC shown in Fig. 5. In the following description, the same parts as those in the vehicle lighting device 1A will not be described and will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0092] 5, the vehicle lighting device 1D of this embodiment includes a light guide 80 as the optical system 5 instead of the light guide 50. Note that the vehicle 100, the design member 101, and the housing 6 are not shown in FIG.

[0093] The light guide 80 has a configuration in which a first optical unit 81 shown in Figure 6 and a second optical unit 82 shown in Figure 7 are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction of the design element 101 (the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle 100).

[0094] The light sources 2 are arranged in a line in the longitudinal direction of the design element 101 (the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 100) corresponding to the first optical unit 81 and the second optical unit 82. The light sources 2 are mounted in a line on one surface of a single circuit board 7 extending in the longitudinal direction of the design element 101 (the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 100).

[0095] As shown in Fig. 6, the first optical unit 81 has basically the same configuration as the light guide 50 shown in Fig. 2. As a result, the first optical unit 81 is able to irradiate the first illumination light L1 from the vehicle 100 toward the road surface T on the side, and the second illumination light L2 from the vehicle 100 toward the door surface D on the side.

[0096] 7, the second optical unit 82 has a configuration in which the second optical path E2 is omitted from the configuration of the light guide 50 shown in Fig. 2, that is, the second reflecting surface 51b and the third light guide section 50d are omitted. This makes it possible for the second optical unit 82 to irradiate only the first illumination light L1 from the vehicle 100 toward the road surface T on the side.

[0097] The vehicle lighting device 1D of this embodiment having the above-described configuration can perform lighting by switching between a mode in which the first optical unit 81 and the second optical unit 82 are turned on and a mode in which only one of the first optical unit 81 and the second optical unit 82 is turned on. That is, it is possible to selectively irradiate either or both of the first illumination light L1 from the vehicle 100 toward the road surface T on the side and the second illumination light L2 from the vehicle 100 toward the door surface D on the side.

[0098] The present invention is not necessarily limited to the first to fourth embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0099] For example, in the above embodiment, the light source 2 and the optical system 5 are arranged in the sealed space K formed between the above-mentioned design element 101 and the housing 6, but it is also possible to arrange a housing containing the light source 2 and the optical system 5 separately from the design element 101 on the back side of the design element 101.

[0100] Furthermore, the lower exit port 3 and the upper exit port 4 are not limited to transparent windows provided in the above-mentioned design member 101, but may be gaps or openings formed on the back side of the design member 101. Furthermore, the lower exit port 3 and the upper exit port 4 may be provided on the housing 6 side. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A to 1D... Vehicle lighting device 2... Light source 3... Lower exit port 4... Upper exit port 5... Optical system 6... Housing 7... Circuit board 8... Incident portion 9... Third reflecting surface 10... First exit portion 11... Second exit portion 50... Light guide 50a... First light guide portion 50b... Branching portion 50c... Second light guide portion 50d... Third light guide portion 51a... First reflecting surface 51b... Second reflecting surface 61... First reflector 62... Second reflector 63... Fourth reflecting surface 70... Light guide rod (light guide) 71... Reflecting portion 72... Exit portion 80... Light guide 81... First optical unit 82... Second optical unit L... Light L1... First illumination light L2... Second illumination light E1...first optical path E2...second optical path 100...vehicle 101...design member 102...door 103...side sill T...road surface D...door surface K...enclosed space

Claims

1. A vehicle lighting device that is provided inside a design component attached to a side of a vehicle, and that irradiates a first illumination light toward a road surface on the side of the vehicle and irradiates a second illumination light toward a door surface on the side of the vehicle, a light source that emits light that becomes the first illumination light and the second illumination light; a lower light exit port that emits the first illumination light from a lower side of the design component; an upper exit port for emitting the second illumination light from an upper side of the design component; a first optical path that guides the first illumination light to the lower exit port and a second optical path that guides the second illumination light to the upper exit port, out of the light emitted from the light source;

2. 2. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the optical system makes the proportion of the first illumination light greater than the proportion of the second illumination light.

3. the optical system includes a light guide; The light guide body includes a first light guide portion extending from one end facing the light source to the other end; a branching section located on the other end side of the first light guiding section and branching the light guided inside the first light guiding section into the first illumination light and the second illumination light; a second light guiding portion extending from the branching portion toward the lower light exit port; a third light guiding portion extending from the branching portion toward the upper light exit port; an incident portion located on one end side of the first light guiding portion and allowing the light emitted from the light source to enter the inside of the first light guiding portion; a first light exit portion located at a tip end side of the second light guiding portion and configured to emit first illumination light guided inside the second light guiding portion toward the lower light exit port; 2. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second exit portion located at a tip side of the third light-guiding portion and emitting the second illumination light guided inside the third light-guiding portion toward the upper exit port.

4. the branching portion includes a first reflecting surface that reflects the first illumination light, of the light guided inside the first light guiding portion, toward the second light guiding portion, and a second reflecting surface that reflects the second illumination light, of the light guided inside the first light guiding portion, toward the third light guiding portion; the second light guiding portion includes a third reflecting surface that reflects the first illumination light toward the first emission portion, an optical axis of the light emitted from the light source is located on the first reflecting surface side; 4. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 3, wherein, of the first illumination light incident on the third reflecting surface, a light component closer to the optical axis is reflected from the side of the vehicle toward a farther side of the road surface than a light component farther from the optical axis.

5. 2. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the optical system includes a first reflector that reflects the first illumination light, of the light emitted from the light source, toward the lower light outlet, and a second reflector that reflects the second illumination light while concentrating it toward the upper light outlet.

6. an optical axis of the light emitted from the light source is located on a side where the light is incident on the first reflector, 6. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 5, wherein, of the first illumination light reflected from the first reflector toward the lower exit, a light component closer to the optical axis is reflected further from the side of the vehicle toward the road surface than a light component farther from the optical axis.

7. The optical system includes a light guide extending in the longitudinal direction of the design element, The light guide has an incident portion located at one end thereof facing the light source and through which the light emitted from the light source is incident. a reflecting portion located on the opposite side to the side facing the first reflector and the second reflector, and configured to reflect light guided from the incident portion toward the other end toward the side facing the first reflector and the second reflector; 6. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 5, further comprising: an exit portion located on a side opposite the first reflector and the second reflector, the exit portion emitting light reflected by the reflecting portion toward the first reflector and the second reflector.

8. A housing covering the rear side of the design element is provided, 2. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light source and the optical system are disposed in an enclosed space formed between the design member and the housing.

9. 9. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 8, wherein the housing is made of a white resin material.

10. 10. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 9, wherein a fourth reflecting surface is provided on a rear side of the design member.

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