Vehicular lamp

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lamp capable of emitting light from each light-emitting area located at different positions on the front side and outer peripheral edge part of an outer lens by using one lamp unit arranged in a lamp body.SOLUTION: A vehicle lamp 1 has a lamp unit 5 arranged inside a lamp body 4 composed of a housing 2 and an outer lens 3, where the lamp unit 5 includes a light source 6 and a light guide 7, parts L1, L3 of light L guided by the light guide 7 are emitted toward the front side of the outer lens 3, thereby illuminating a first light-emitting region E1, and parts L2, L4 of the light L guided by the light guide 7 are emitted toward outer peripheral edge parts 3a, 3b of the outer lens 3, thereby illuminating a second light-emitting region E2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] For example, a vehicle lamp mounted on a vehicle has a lamp unit placed inside a lamp body consisting of a housing with an opening at the front and an outer lens that covers the opening of the housing, and the light emitted by this lamp unit is emitted from the front side of the outer lens to emit light.

[0003] On the other hand, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a configuration in which an outer lens is used as a light guide for guiding light emitted from a light source, and sufficient light is emitted at the end of this outer lens (see, for example, Patent Document 1 listed below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-198154 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, the invention described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 aims to illuminate the entire outer lens, including the ends, so that the light-emitting areas of two adjacent vehicle lamps appear to be emitting light as a single unit.

[0006] Therefore, the invention described in Patent Document 1 is configured to illuminate the entire outer lens, including the edge, and therefore does not use a single lighting unit placed within the lamp body to illuminate each of the light-emitting areas located at different positions on the front side and outer edge of the outer lens.

[0007] The present invention has been proposed in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp that makes it possible to illuminate each of the light-emitting areas located at different positions on the front side and outer peripheral edge of the outer lens using a single lamp unit arranged within the lamp body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means. [1] A vehicle lamp in which a lamp unit is disposed inside a lamp body that is composed of a housing having an opening at the front and an outer lens that covers the opening of the housing, a first light-emitting region that emits light by emitting a portion of the light irradiated by the lamp unit from the front side of the outer lens, and a second light-emitting region that emits light by emitting a portion of the light irradiated by the lamp unit from the outer peripheral edge of the outer lens, The lighting unit includes a light source and a light guide that guides the light emitted from the light source, A part of the light guided by the light guide body is emitted toward the front side of the outer lens, thereby causing the first light emitting region to emit light, and A vehicle lamp characterized in that a portion of the light guided by the light guide is emitted toward an outer peripheral edge of the outer lens, thereby causing the second light-emitting region to emit light. [2] The light guide includes an incident portion located on a side facing the light source and into which light emitted from the light source is incident; a first light emitting portion located on a side opposite to the front side of the outer lens and emitting light toward the front side of the outer lens; The vehicle lamp described in [1] is characterized in that it has a second emission portion located on the side opposite to the outer peripheral edge portion of the outer lens and emitting light toward the outer peripheral edge portion of the outer lens. [3] The outer lens has a first lens incident surface located on a side facing the first light emitting portion, on which the light emitted from the first light emitting portion is incident; a first lens exit surface located on the opposite side to the first lens entrance surface, and which emits light that has entered through the first lens entrance surface; a second lens incident surface located opposite the second exit portion and onto which the light emitted from the second exit portion is incident; The vehicular lamp according to [2], characterized in that it has a second lens exit surface located on the opposite side of the second lens entrance surface, which emits light incident from the second lens entrance surface. [4] The outer lens has a third lens exit surface at a position different from the second lens exit surface, The vehicular lamp according to [3], characterized in that a portion of the light incident from the second lens entrance surface is guided toward the third lens exit surface, and then emitted from the third lens exit surface, thereby illuminating the second light-emitting area at a position different from the second lens exit surface. [5] A light-blocking member is provided on the rear side of the outer lens, The vehicle lamp according to [1], wherein the light blocking member has an opening that opens in correspondence with the first light emitting region. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] As described above, according to the present invention, a vehicle lamp is provided that uses a single lamp unit arranged within the lamp body to illuminate each of the light-emitting areas located at different positions on the front side and outer peripheral edge of the outer lens. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front side; [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp taken along line AA shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp of a circled portion B shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp of a circled portion C shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the inner lens. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] 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.

[0012] As one embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle lamp 1 shown in, for example, FIGS. 1 to 5 will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle 100 equipped with a vehicle lamp 1, as seen from the front side. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp 1 taken along line AA shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp 1, enlarging a boxed portion B shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp 1, enlarging a boxed portion C shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the inner lens 7.

[0013] In addition, in the drawings shown below, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is set up, with the X-axis direction being the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle lighting fixture 1, the Y-axis direction being the left-to-right direction of the vehicle lighting fixture 1, and the Z-axis direction being the up-to-down direction of the vehicle lighting fixture 1.

[0014] The vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, is mounted on the front side of a vehicle 100 as a sidelight (position lamp) or daytime running lamp (DRL), and emits white light from a first linear light-emitting area E1 extending in the vehicle width direction on the front side and a second linear light-emitting area E2 surrounding the first linear light-emitting area E1.

[0015] In addition, the first light-emitting area E1 is located in the center of the front side and can illuminate and display a display pattern P1 such as a brand name or logo mark, such as the vehicle name or manufacturer name, or an artistic display pattern P2 on both sides of the display pattern P1.

[0016] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment has a structure in which a lamp unit 5 is arranged inside a lamp body 4 composed of a housing 2 with an open front and an outer lens 3 that covers the opening of the housing 2.

[0017] The lamp body 4 is arranged so that the outer lens 3 faces outward from an opening 103 provided between the hood 101 and bumper 102 of the vehicle 100. As a result, the upper outer peripheral edge 3a and the lower outer peripheral edge 3b of the outer lens 3 are positioned along the periphery of the opening 103 between the hood 101 and the bumper 102. The shape of the lamp body 4 can be changed as appropriate to suit the design of the vehicle 100, etc.

[0018] The lighting unit 5 includes a light source 6 that emits white light (hereinafter simply referred to as light) L, and an inner lens 7 that guides the light L emitted from the light source 6.

[0019] An extension 8 that covers the front side of the lamp unit 5 is arranged inside the lamp body 4 along the rear side of the outer lens 3. Furthermore, a bracket 9 for attaching the above-mentioned components to the inside of the lamp body 4 and the like are arranged inside the lamp body 4.

[0020] The light source 6 is composed of a light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode (LED) that emits white light, and is mounted on one surface of a circuit board 10 on which a drive circuit for driving the light-emitting element is provided. The circuit board 10 is attached to the surface of the bracket 9. This causes the light source 6 to radially emit light L in a direction perpendicular to the one surface of the circuit board 10 (upward in this embodiment).

[0021] The inner lens 7 is made of a light guide such as a transparent resin (e.g., polycarbonate or acrylic) or glass, and has a curved plate shape including a first light guide portion 7a extending forward from a base end facing the light source 6 and a second light guide portion 7b extending downward from its tip end. The second light guide portion 7b has a shape inclined from its rear side toward the front side so that its thickness gradually decreases toward its tip end. The inner lens 7 also has a first inclined reflecting surface 7c at the top of the base end of the first light guide portion 7a and a second inclined reflecting surface 7d between the first light guide portion 7a and the second light guide portion 7b.

[0022] The inner lens 7 has an incident portion 11 at a position facing the light source 6 on the base end side of the first light guiding portion 7a, a first exit portion 12 at a position facing the front side of the outer lens 3 on the tip end side of the first light guiding portion 7a, a second exit portion 13 at a position facing the upper outer peripheral edge portion 3a of the outer lens 3 on the base end side of the first light guiding portion 7a, a reflecting portion 14 on the back side of the second light guiding portion 7b, and a third exit portion 15 on the front side of the second light guiding portion 7b.

[0023] Incident portion 11 has a lens shape that collects light L radially emitted from light source 6 toward the optical axis and causes the light to enter the inside of first light guiding portion 7a.

[0024] Specifically, this incident portion 11 has a first collecting incident surface 11a located in the center of the portion facing the light source 6, onto which a portion of the light L emitted from the light source 6 is incident, a second collecting incident surface 11b located on the inner side of a protrusion that protrudes toward the light source 6 from a position surrounding the periphery of the first collecting incident surface 11a, onto which a portion of the light L emitted from the light source 6 is incident, and a collecting reflection surface 11c located on the outer side of the protrusion, which reflects the light L incident from the second collecting incident surface 11b.

[0025] In the incident portion 11, of the light L radially emitted from the light source 6, the light L that enters the first light guide portion 7a from the first light-collecting incident surface 11a is collected toward the optical axis. On the other hand, the light L that enters the first light guide portion 7a from the second light-collecting incident surface 11b is reflected by the light-collecting reflecting surface 11c, thereby being collected toward the optical axis. As a result, the light L radially emitted from the light source 6 enters the first light guide portion 7a while being collected or collimated toward the optical axis.

[0026] Furthermore, light L incident from incident portion 11 is guided inside first light guiding portion 7a toward second exit portion 13 and first inclined reflecting surface 7c located above. Furthermore, light L incident on first inclined reflecting surface 7c is reflected toward first exit portion 12 and second inclined reflecting surface 7d located in front of first light guiding portion 7a. Then, light L incident on second inclined reflecting surface 7d is reflected toward second light guiding portion 7b, and then guided inside second light guiding portion 7b toward the tip side.

[0027] The first light emitting section 12 has a flat (planar) first light emitting surface 12a located adjacent to the second inclined reflecting surface 7d. The first light emitting section 12 emits a portion of the light L (hereinafter referred to as "first light L1") guided forward inside the first light guiding section 7a from the first light emitting surface 12a to the outside of the second light guiding section 7b. As a result, the first light L1 emitted from the first light emitting surface 12a is irradiated toward the front side of the outer lens 3.

[0028] The second exit section 13 has a flat (planar) second exit surface 13a located adjacent to the first inclined reflecting surface 7c. The second exit section 13 emits a portion of the light L (hereinafter referred to as "second light L2") guided upward inside the first light guiding section 7a from the second exit surface 13a to the outside of the first light guiding section 7a. As a result, the second light L2 emitted from the second exit surface 13a is irradiated toward the upper outer peripheral edge 3a of the outer lens 3.

[0029] The reflecting section 14 has a plurality of reflection cuts 14a inside the outline of a shape corresponding to the above-mentioned display patterns P1 and P2 (display pattern P2 in FIG. 2). The plurality of reflection cuts 14a are not particularly limited in shape, size, number, etc., as long as they reflect light L (hereinafter referred to as "third light L3") incident on the back side of the second light guide section 7b at an angle at which the light L is emitted (transmitted) from the front side of the second light guide section 7b to the outside. For example, in this embodiment, the plurality of reflection cuts 14a are configured by prism cuts with a substantially triangular cross section arranged on a surface of a shape corresponding to each of the display patterns P1 and P2.

[0030] Third exit section 15 has flat (planar) third exit surface 15a formed by the front surface of second light guide section 7b. Third exit section 15 emits third light L3 reflected by multiple reflection cuts 14a from third exit surface 15a to the outside of second light guide section 7b. As a result, third light L3 emitted from third exit surface 15a is irradiated toward the front side of outer lens 3.

[0031] The extension 8 covers the periphery of the front side of the lamp unit 5, thereby blocking light leaking from the lamp unit 5. The extension 8 also plays a role in the design of the vehicle lamp 1.

[0032] The extension 8 is made of a colored (e.g., black or silver) light-shielding material and has a first opening 8a that opens in a line in the vehicle width direction at a position opposite the first light exit surface 12a, a second opening 8b that opens in a line in the vehicle width direction at a position opposite the first light exit surface 12a, and a third opening 8c that opens in a shape corresponding to the display patterns P1 and P2 at a position opposite the third light exit surface 15a.

[0033] The extension 8 is not necessarily required and can be omitted. Instead of the extension 8, a light-shielding member such as a bezel or a light-shielding layer may be disposed on the back side of the outer lens 3.

[0034] The outer lens 3 has a first lens incident surface 3c located on the side opposite to the first exit surface 12a and the third exit surface 15a, a first lens incident surface 3d located on the opposite side to the first lens incident surface 3c, a second lens incident surface 3e located on the side opposite to the second exit surface 13a, a second lens incident surface 3f and a third inclined reflecting surface 3g located on the opposite side to the second lens incident surface 3e, and a third lens exit surface 3h located on the lower outer peripheral edge portion 3b.

[0035] In addition, the second lens output surface 3f is provided with a diffusion section 16 for diffusing the second light L2 emitted from this second lens output surface 3f. Examples of the diffusion section 16 include lens cuts called flute cuts or fisheye cuts, and uneven structures formed by knurling or texturing. In addition, by adjusting the shape of this diffusion section 16, it is possible to control the degree of diffusion of the second light L2 emitted from the second lens output surface 3f.

[0036] In the outer lens 3, the first light L1 and the third light L3 emitted from the first exit surface 12a and the third exit surface 15a enter the first lens entrance surface 3c and then exit from the first lens exit surface 3d. This makes it possible to cause the first light-emitting region E1 to emit white light in a line on the front side of the outer lens 3 by the first light L1, and to cause the display patterns P1 and P2 to emit white light by the third light L3.

[0037] Furthermore, in the outer lens 3, the second light L2 emitted from the second emission surface 13a enters the second lens entrance surface 3e and then exits from the second lens emission surface 3f. This allows the upper outer peripheral edge 3a of the outer lens 3, which constitutes the second light-emitting region E2, to emit white light in a line by the second light L2 emitted from the gap between the upper outer peripheral edge 3a of the outer lens 3 and the opening 103 of the hood 101.

[0038] On the other hand, a portion of the second light L2 (hereinafter referred to as "fourth light L4") incident from the second lens incident surface 3e is reflected by the third inclined reflecting surface 3g, guided toward the third lens exit surface 3h, and then exits from the third lens exit surface 3h.

[0039] This allows the fourth light L4 emitted from the gap between the lower outer peripheral edge 3b of the outer lens 3 and the opening 103 of the bumper 102 to cause the lower outer peripheral edge 3b of the outer lens 3, which constitutes the second light-emitting area E2, to emit white light in a line.

[0040] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the light component L2n of the light L emitted from the light source 6 closer to the optical axis AX is positioned closer to the third inclined reflecting surface 3g than the light component L2f farther from the optical axis AX so that the proportion (light amount) of the fourth light L4 reflected by the third inclined reflecting surface 3g out of the second light L2 incident on the second lens incident surface 3e described above is greater than the proportion (light amount) of the second light L2 emitted from the second lens exit surface 3f.

[0041] In this case, the light component L2n closer to the optical axis AX has a higher luminous intensity than the light component L2f farther from the optical axis AX, and this light component L2n (fourth light L4) closer to the optical axis AX is reflected by the third inclined reflecting surface 3g, and is then emitted from the third lens exit surface 3h while being attenuated while being guided toward the third lens exit surface 3h.

[0042] This makes it possible to adjust the amount of second light L2 emitted from the second lens exit surface 3f and the amount of fourth light L4 emitted from the third lens exit surface 3h, thereby making it possible to more uniformly emit light from the upper outer peripheral edge 3a and lower outer peripheral edge 3b of the outer lens 3 that constitute the second light-emitting region E2.

[0043] 2 are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the lamp body 4 (width direction of the vehicle 100). That is, a plurality of light sources 6 are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the lamp body 4 (width direction of the vehicle 100). The inner lens 7 extends in the longitudinal direction of the lamp body 4 (width direction of the vehicle 100), and is configured such that an incident portion 11 is provided at each portion facing the plurality of light sources 6. This makes it possible to make the first light-emitting region E1 and the second light-emitting region E2 emit white light across the width direction of the outer lens 3.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, by adjusting the proportion (amount of light) of the fourth light L4 reflected by the third inclined reflecting surface 3g described above in accordance with the difference in distance between the upper outer peripheral edge 3a and the lower outer peripheral edge 3b of the outer lens 3, it is possible to make the upper outer peripheral edge 3a and the lower outer peripheral edge 3b of the outer lens 3, which constitute the second light-emitting region E2, emit light more uniformly across the width of the outer lens 3.

[0045] In addition, the outer peripheral edge portions located on both the left and right sides of the outer lens 3 are provided with the above-mentioned third lens exit surface 3h, and by emitting the fourth light L4 from this third lens exit surface 3h, it is possible to emit white light in a line as the above-mentioned second light-emitting region E2.

[0046] The diffusion section 16 may be provided on the third lens exit surface 3h to diffuse the fourth light L4 emitted from the third lens exit surface 3h.

[0047] As described above, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, a portion of the light L (first and third light L1, L3) emitted by the above-mentioned lamp unit 5 is directed toward the front side of the outer lens 3, thereby causing the first light-emitting region E1 to emit light, and a portion of the light L (second and fourth light L2, L4) emitted by the lamp unit 5 is directed toward the outer peripheral edge portions 3a, 3b of the outer lens 3, thereby causing the second light-emitting region E2 to emit light.

[0048] In the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, a single lamp unit 5 disposed within the lamp body 4 is used to emit light from the first light-emitting region E1 and the second light-emitting region E2, which are located at different positions on the front side and the outer peripheral edges 3a, 3b of the outer lens 3. This makes it possible to achieve light emission that is excellent in design and functionality. Furthermore, the structure can be simplified and manufacturing costs can be kept lower than when the first light-emitting region E1 and the second light-emitting region E2 are configured using separate lamp units.

[0049] The present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, as in the inner lens 7 shown in Figure 5, the second exit section 13 may be configured to have, instead of the second exit surface 13a, multiple light distribution cuts 13b that control the light distribution of the second light L2 emitted toward the second lens entrance surface 3e.

[0050] This makes it possible to adjust the ratio (light amount) of the fourth light L4 reflected by the third inclined reflecting surface 3g and the ratio (light amount) of the second light L2 emitted from the second lens exit surface 3f, out of the second light L2 incident on the second lens entrance surface 3e. This adjustment can also be made by changing the shape of the second lens entrance surface 3e side.

[0051] The light source 6 is not limited to one consisting of one light-emitting element, but may be one consisting of multiple light-emitting elements. The light source 6 is also not limited to one that emits white light, but may be one that emits light of other colors. Furthermore, the light source 6 may be configured to variably adjust the color tone of the light L using multiple light-emitting elements that emit different colored light.

[0052] For example, the light source 6 may be configured to include a light emitting element that emits white light and a light emitting element that emits orange light, and in addition to the first light emitting region E1 and the second light emitting region E2 emitting white light as the above-mentioned vehicle side lamps (position lamps) or daytime running lights (DRLs), both sides of the first light emitting region E1 in the width direction may be configured to flash with orange light as a turn signal (turn lamp). Furthermore, sequential light emission is also possible by sequentially lighting up multiple light sources 6.

[0053] The lighting unit 5 is not necessarily limited to a configuration including the above-mentioned light source 6 and inner lens 7, but may also be configured, for example, to use a reflector and use the light reflected by this reflector to illuminate the first light-emitting area E1 and the second light-emitting area E2 located at different positions on the front side of the outer lens 3 and the outer peripheral edges 3a, 3b.

[0054] In the above embodiment, an example is given of the application of the present invention to a vehicle lamp 1 mounted on the front side of the vehicle 100 described above, but the present invention can also be applied to a vehicle lamp mounted on the rear side of the vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...vehicle lamp 2...housing 3...outer lens 4...lamp body 5...lamp unit 6...light source 7...inner lens (light guide) 8...extension 9...bracket 10...circuit board 11...incident portion 12...first exit portion 13...second exit portion 14...reflecting portion 15...third exit portion 16...diffusing portion 100...vehicle 101...bonnet 102...bumper 103...opening L...light L1...first light L2...second light L3...third light L4...fourth light P1, P2...display pattern

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp having a lamp unit disposed inside a lamp body that is composed of a housing having an opening at the front and an outer lens that covers the opening of the housing, a first light-emitting region that emits light by emitting a portion of the light irradiated by the lamp unit from the front side of the outer lens, and a second light-emitting region that emits light by emitting a portion of the light irradiated by the lamp unit from the outer peripheral edge of the outer lens, The lighting unit includes a light source and a light guide that guides the light emitted from the light source, A part of the light guided by the light guide body is emitted toward the front side of the outer lens, thereby causing the first light emitting region to emit light, and A vehicle lamp characterized in that a portion of the light guided by the light guide is emitted toward an outer peripheral edge of the outer lens, thereby causing the second light-emitting region to emit light.

2. The light guide includes an incident portion located on a side facing the light source and into which light emitted from the light source is incident; a first light emitting portion located on a side opposite to a front surface of the outer lens and emitting light toward the front surface of the outer lens; 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, further comprising: a second light emitting portion located on a side opposite to the outer peripheral edge of the outer lens, the second light emitting portion emitting light toward the outer peripheral edge of the outer lens.

3. the outer lens has a first lens incident surface located on a side facing the first light exit portion, on which the light emitted from the first light exit portion is incident; a first lens exit surface located on the opposite side to the first lens entrance surface, and for emitting light that has entered through the first lens entrance surface; a second lens incident surface located opposite the second exit portion and onto which the light emitted from the second exit portion is incident; 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, further comprising a second lens exit surface located on the opposite side to the second lens entrance surface, for emitting light incident through the second lens entrance surface.

4. the outer lens has a third lens exit surface at a position different from the second lens exit surface, 4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3, wherein a portion of the light incident from the second lens entrance surface is guided toward the third lens exit surface, and then emitted from the third lens exit surface, thereby illuminating the second light-emitting area at a position different from the second lens exit surface.

5. a light blocking member located on the rear side of the outer lens; 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light blocking member has an opening that is open in correspondence with the first light emitting region.

Images