Vehicular lighting fixture

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting fixture which can secure sufficient visibility even in the case where a large visibility angle is required in a vehicle width direction, while suppressing increase in the number of components and increase in size.SOLUTION: A vehicular lighting fixture includes a light source 2, and a light guide body 3. The light guide body 3 includes: a first lens part 10 containing a first incident part 8 and a first emission part 9; a second lens part 13 containing a second incident part 11 and a second emission part 12; and a connection part 14 for connecting between the first lens part 10 and the second lens part 13 while forming a space K between the first emission part 9 and the second incident part 11. The first incident part 8 includes: a first light collecting incident surface 8a; a second incident surface 8b; and a light collecting reflection surface 8c. The first emission part 9 includes: a first light guide emission surface 9a; and a pair of second light guide emission surfaces 9b. Second light L2 emitted from the pair of second light guide emission surface 9b is emitted in a wider angle direction than first light L1 emitted from the first light guide emission surface, while crossing with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a combination of a light source such as a light emitting diode (LED) and a light guide such as an inner lens has been known as a vehicle lamp to be mounted on a vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

[0003] Patent Document 1 below discloses a vehicle lamp including a light source and a translucent member that controls the transmission of light from the light source, wherein the translucent member includes a first lens portion, a second lens portion spaced apart from the first lens portion, and a connecting plate portion that connects ends of the first and second lens portions together, and the first lens portion, the second lens portion, and the connecting plate portion are integrally molded, the first lens portion includes a first incident surface that receives light from the light source and a first exit surface that emits the light that has entered from the first incident surface, and the second lens portion includes a second incident surface that receives the light that has exited from the first exit surface and a second exit surface that emits the light that has entered from the second incident surface, and a plurality of lens elements are formed on the second exit surface and an outer surface of the connecting plate portion and / or the second incident surface and an inner surface of the connecting plate portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6655978 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1, when the light-emitting width of the second emission surface of the light-transmitting member (light guide) is increased, the depth dimension of the light-transmitting member must be increased in accordance with the increase in the width dimension of the light-transmitting member. In this case, it is difficult to increase only the width dimension of the light guide while suppressing the depth dimension of the light guide, which results in problems such as an increase in the size of the light guide. Furthermore, increasing the width dimension of the light guide also increases the number of light sources, which leads to an increase in the number of parts and an increase in costs.

[0006] Furthermore, with the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to add a secondary light distribution in a wide-angle direction in addition to the main light distribution of light emitted forward from the second emission surface of the light-transmitting member. Therefore, when a large viewing angle is required in the vehicle width direction, there is a problem that the vehicle lamp becomes large.

[0007] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp that can ensure sufficient visibility even when a large viewing angle in the vehicle width direction is required, while suppressing an increase in the number of parts and size. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means. [1] A light source; a light guide that guides the light emitted from the light source, the light guide includes a first lens portion including a first incident portion located on a side facing the light source and a first exit portion located on an opposite side to the first incident portion; a second lens unit including a second incident portion located on a side facing the first lens unit and a second exit portion located on an opposite side to the second incident portion; a connecting portion that connects the first lens portion and the second lens portion while forming a space between the first emission portion and the second incidence portion, the first incident portion has a first light-collecting incident surface, which is located on the center side of a portion facing the light source, and on which a first light of the light L radially emitted from the light source is incident while being collected; a second incident surface, which is located on the inner peripheral side of a protrusion that protrudes from a position surrounding the periphery of the first light-collecting incident surface toward the light source, and on which a second light of the light radially emitted from the light source is incident; and a light-collecting reflecting surface, which is located on the outer peripheral side of the protrusion, and which reflects the second light incident from the second incident surface, the first emission section has a first light-guiding emission surface that is located on a side opposite to the first light-collecting incidence surface and that emits, toward the space, the first light that has entered through the first light-collecting incidence surface, and a second light-guiding emission surface that is located on at least one of both sides across the first light-collecting emission surface and that emits, toward the space, the second light that has been reflected by the light-collecting reflection surface, the first light emitted from the first light guide emission surface is incident on the second incident portion and then emitted from the second emission portion; The second light emitted from the second light guide exit surface is emitted from one side of the first lens portion to the opposite side of the second lens portion, enters the second entrance portion, and is then emitted from the second exit portion in a wider angle direction than the first light. [2] The vehicular lamp according to [1], wherein the second light guide emitting surface forms a vertical surface that is perpendicular to the reflection direction of the second light reflected by the light collecting and reflecting surface. [3] The vehicle lamp according to [1], characterized in that the second light guide emitting surface constitutes a refractive surface that refracts the second light reflected by the light collecting reflecting surface in directions that intersect with each other. [4] The vehicle lamp according to [1], wherein the second light exit portion includes a plurality of diffusion cuts, and the first light and the second light incident from the second light entrance portion are diffused by the plurality of diffusion cuts and then emitted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] As described above, according to the present invention, a vehicle lamp is provided that can ensure sufficient visibility even when the viewing angle in the vehicle width direction is large, while suppressing an increase in the number of parts and size. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp taken along line AA shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a light source and an inner lens. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the light source and the inner lens. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical path of light emitted from the light source through the inner lens along the line BB shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another optical path of the light emitted from the light source through the inner lens along the line BB shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 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 6 will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view showing the vehicle lamp 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp 1 taken along line AA in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the light source 2 and the inner lens 3. FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the light source 2 and the inner lens 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical path of light L emitted from the light source 2 through the inner lens 3 taken along line BB in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another optical path of light L emitted from the light source 2 through the inner lens 3 taken along line BB in FIG. 4.

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

[0014] The vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment is, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a rear combination lamp mounted on both corners of the rear end of a vehicle (not shown) (in this embodiment, the corner on the right rear end), to which the present invention is applied to a backup lamp that emits circular white light.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment has a structure in which a light source 2 and an inner lens 3 are arranged inside a lamp body 4.

[0016] The lamp body 4 is composed of a housing 5 with an opening at the front and a transparent outer lens 6 that covers the opening of the housing 5.

[0017] The light source 2 has at least one or more light emitting elements 2a that emit white light (hereinafter referred to as "light") L. The light emitting elements 2a are, for example, LEDs, and emit the light L radially forward.

[0018] The light source 2 of this embodiment constitutes a socket 7 with a coupler that is detachably attached to a mounting hole 5a provided on the rear side of the housing 5. The optical axis AX of the light L emitted from the light source 2 coincides with the central axis of the socket 7 with a coupler.

[0019] When the light source 2 is configured with a plurality of light-emitting elements 2a, they are arranged so that their mutual center positions coincide with the central axis of the socket 7 with coupler, and this central axis is defined as the optical axis AX of the light L emitted from the light source 2. Furthermore, the light source 2 of this embodiment is configured with the socket 7 with coupler in which the above-mentioned light-emitting elements 2a are arranged, but is not necessarily limited to this configuration, and may be configured, for example, so that a circuit board on which the light-emitting elements 2a are arranged is arranged inside the lamp body 4.

[0020] 2 to 5, the inner lens 3 is made of a light-transmitting material such as polycarbonate (PC) or acrylic (PMMA). The inner lens 3 is formed by injection molding using a mold. The inner lens 3 has a shape that allows it to be removed from the mold during molding, and can be manufactured inexpensively by removing it from the mold in one go.

[0021] The inner lens 3 is disposed in front of the light source 2 as a light guide and guides the light L emitted from the light source 2. Specifically, the inner lens 3 has a first lens portion 10 including a first incident portion 8 located on the side facing the light source 2 and a first exit portion 9 located on the opposite side from the first incident portion 8, a second lens portion 13 including a second incident portion 11 located on the side facing the first lens portion 10 and a second exit portion 12 located on the opposite side from the second incident portion 11, and a connecting portion 14 that connects the first lens portion 10 and the second lens portion 13 while forming a space K between the first exit portion 9 and the second incident portion 11.

[0022] Furthermore, connecting portion 14 has bottom wall portion 14a and a pair of side wall portions 14b, and connects first lens portion 10 and second lens portion 13 with the top open. As a result, first emission portion 9 and second incidence portion 11 are arranged facing each other across space K surrounded by bottom wall portion 14a and the pair of side wall portions 14b.

[0023] The first incident portion 8 has a lens shape on the light source 2 side of the first lens portion 10, which focuses the light L emitted from the light source 2 toward the optical axis and causes the light to enter the inside of the inner lens 3.

[0024] Specifically, this first incident portion 8 has a first collecting incident surface 8a located at the center of the portion facing the light source 2, on which a portion of the light L (hereinafter referred to as "first light") L1 emitted from the light source 2 is incident, a second incident surface 8b located on the inner side of a protrusion 8d that protrudes toward the light source 2 from a position surrounding the first collecting incident surface 8a, on which a portion of the light L (hereinafter referred to as "second light") L2 emitted from the light source 2 is incident, and a collecting reflection surface 8c located on the outer side of the protrusion 8d, which reflects the second light L2 incident from the second incident surface 8b.

[0025] The first light-collecting incident surface 8a is formed by a circular lens surface that is curved convexly around the optical axis AX. The second light-collecting incident surface 8b is formed by a circular ring-shaped inclined surface that is inclined around the optical axis AX in a direction approaching the optical axis AX with respect to the traveling direction of the second light L2. The light-collecting reflecting surface 8c is formed by a circular ring-shaped inclined surface that is inclined around the optical axis AX in a direction away from the optical axis AX with respect to the traveling direction of the second light L2.

[0026] The first incident portion 8 focuses the first light L1, which is part of the light L radially emitted from the light source 2 and enters the inside of the inner lens 3 from the first light-collecting incident surface 8a, toward the optical axis AX. As a result, the first light L1 is collimated in a direction parallel to the optical axis AX and guided toward the first exit portion 9 with a width corresponding to the first light-collecting incident surface 8a.

[0027] Meanwhile, in the first incident part 8, the second light L2 that has entered the inside of the inner lens 3 from the second incident surface 8b is reflected by the light-collecting reflecting surface 8c, thereby being collected toward the optical axis AX. As a result, the second light L2 is collimated in a direction intersecting the optical axis AX, and is guided toward the first exit part 9 with a width corresponding to the light-collecting reflecting surface 8c.

[0028] The first emission unit 9 has, on the front side of the first lens unit 10, a first light guide emission surface 9a located at the center in the width direction opposite the first light collecting incident surface 8a, and a pair of second light guide emission surfaces 9b located on both sides in the width direction with the first light guide emission surface 9a in between. In this embodiment, the first emission unit 9 has the second light guide emission surface 9b on each side, but it is only necessary to provide at least one of them depending on the required light distribution.

[0029] The first light guide output surface 9a is formed by a plane perpendicular to the optical axis AX. The pair of second light guide output surfaces 9b are formed by inclined surfaces that are inclined in opposite directions away from the optical axis AX with respect to the traveling direction of the second light L2. In this embodiment, the pair of second light guide output surfaces 9b form vertical surfaces that are perpendicular to the reflection direction of the second light L2 reflected by the light collecting reflecting surface 8c.

[0030] In the first exit unit 9, the first light L1 incident from the first light-collecting entrance surface 8a is emitted from the first light-guiding exit surface 9a to the outside of the first lens unit 10, i.e., toward the space K. As a result, the first light L1 emitted toward the space K is incident on the second entrance unit 11 with a width corresponding to the first light-collecting entrance surface 8a.

[0031] Meanwhile, in the first exit unit 9, the second light L2 reflected by the light-collecting reflecting surface 8c is emitted from the pair of second light-guiding exit surfaces 9b to the outside of the first lens unit 10, i.e., toward the space K. As a result, the second light L2 emitted toward the space K intersects with each other between the first lens unit 10 and the second lens unit 13, and then enters the second entrance unit 11 with a width corresponding to the light-collecting reflecting surface 8c. In other words, the second light L2 emitted from one second light-guiding exit surface 9b is directed toward the other side of the second lens unit 13.

[0032] The second incident portion 11 has a third incident surface 11a on the light source 2 side of the second lens portion 13. The third incident surface 11a is formed of a flat surface that is perpendicular to the optical axis AX.

[0033] In the second incident portion 11, the first light L1 emitted from the first light guiding and emitting surface 9a is incident from the center in the width direction of the third incident surface 11a into the inside of the second lens portion 13. As a result, the first light L1 is guided toward the second incident portion 12 with a width corresponding to the first light collecting and emitting surface 8a.

[0034] On the other hand, in the second incident portion 11, the second light L2 emitted from the pair of second light guide and output surfaces 9b is incident on both sides of the central portion in the width direction of the third incident surface 11a into the inside of the second lens portion 13. As a result, the second light L2 is guided toward the second output portion 12 with a width corresponding to the second incident surface 8b.

[0035] The second light output section 12 has a plurality of diffusion cuts 12a on the front side of the second lens section 13. Examples of the diffusion cuts 12a include lens cuts called flute cuts or fisheye cuts, and uneven structures formed by knurling or embossing. By adjusting the shape of the diffusion cuts 12a, it is possible to control the degree of diffusion of the first light L1 and the second light L2 output from the second light output section 12. In this embodiment, the diffusion cuts 12a are configured as Fresnel-shaped fisheye cuts.

[0036] In the second exit portion 12, the first light L1 and the second light L2 incident from the third incident surface 11a are diffused in the horizontal direction (left-right direction) and the vertical direction (up-down direction) by the plurality of diffusion cuts 12a and are then emitted to the outside of the second lens portion 13. As a result, the first light L1 is emitted forward from the center of the second lens portion 13 in the width direction. On the other hand, the second light L2 is emitted forward from both sides of the center of the second lens portion 13 in the width direction, at a wider angle than the first light L1.

[0037] In the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment having the above-described configuration, it is possible to make the front side of the second lens portion 13 (inner lens 3) emit white light as the light emitting surface of the backup lamp described above.

[0038] In the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the first light L1 emitted from the first light guiding and emitting surface 9a described above enters the second incident portion 11 and is then emitted from the second emitting portion 12, and the second light L2 emitted from the pair of second light guiding and emitting surfaces 9b intersects with each other between the first lens portion 10 and the second lens portion 13, enters the second incident portion 11, and is then emitted from the second emitting portion 12 in a wider angle direction than the first light L1.

[0039] This makes it possible to add the second light L2, which serves as a secondary light distribution in a wide-angle direction, in addition to the main light distribution of the first light L1 emitted forward from the second emission portion 12 of the inner lens 3, without adding a light source 2. Furthermore, because the second light L2 can be emitted in a direction wider than the width dimension of the inner lens 3, sufficient visibility can be ensured even when a large viewing angle is required in the vehicle width direction.

[0040] As described above, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment can ensure sufficient visibility even when a large viewing angle in the vehicle width direction is required, while suppressing an increase in the number of parts and size.

[0041] Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment has a structure in which the first lens portion 10 and the second lens portion 13 are connected via the above-mentioned connecting portion 14. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in the number of parts and an increase in the number of assembly steps.

[0042] Furthermore, in the vehicle lighting fixture 1 of this embodiment, by adjusting the degree of diffusion of the first light L1 and the second light L2 by the above-mentioned multiple diffusion cuts 12a, it is possible to make the light-emitting surface of the backup lamp emit light more uniformly.

[0043] Specifically, the degree of diffusion of the first light L1 is set to be greater than the degree of diffusion of the second light L2 by the multiple diffusion cutouts 12a, which allows the light-emitting surface of the backup lamp to emit light more uniformly, improving the appearance when lit.

[0044] 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.

[0045] For example, in the above-mentioned vehicle lamp 1, as in the inner lens 3 shown in Figure 6, by adjusting the inclination angles of the above-mentioned light-collecting reflecting surface 8c and the pair of second light-guiding emitting surfaces 9b, the pair of second light-guiding emitting surfaces 9b may be configured as refractive surfaces that refract the second light L2 reflected by the light-collecting reflecting surface 8c in directions that intersect with each other.

[0046] In this configuration, the second light L2 emitted from the pair of second light guide exit surfaces 9b intersects with each other between the first lens portion 10 and the second lens portion 13, enters the second entrance portion 11, and is then emitted from the second exit portion 12 in a wider angle direction than the first light L1.

[0047] This makes it possible to add a second light L2, which is a secondary light distribution in a wide-angle direction, in addition to the main light distribution of the first light L1 emitted forward from the second emission portion 12 of the inner lens 3, without adding a light source 2.

[0048] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned vehicle lamp 1, the first light-guiding and emitting surface 9a, the pair of second light-guiding and emitting surfaces 9b, and the third incident surface 11a are configured as flat surfaces, but each of them can also be configured as a curved surface.

[0049] Furthermore, the above-mentioned vehicle lamp 1 is configured to include one set of the light source 2 and inner lens 3, but it is also possible to configure a configuration in which a plurality of light sources 2 and inner lenses 3 are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, when a plurality of inner lenses 3 are arranged side by side, these inner lenses 3 can also be integrated.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned vehicle lamp 1, the above-mentioned connecting portion 14 is configured to have a bottom wall portion 14a and a pair of side wall portions 14b, but it may also be configured to have an upper wall portion and a pair of side wall portions, connecting the first lens portion 10 and the second lens portion 13 with the lower portion open, and it is sufficient that there is at least one wall portion connecting the first lens portion 10 and the second lens portion 13.

[0051] Although the above-described vehicle lamp 1 exemplifies a case in which a backup lamp emits white light among the above-described rear combination lamps, the present invention can be applied to other vehicle lamps. Also, the present invention is not limited to the above-described rear vehicle lamp, but can also be applied to a front vehicle lamp.

[0052] That is, in addition to the above-mentioned backup lamp, the present invention can be widely applied to vehicle lamps such as tail lamps, stop lamps, daytime running lights (DRLs), position lamps, turn lamps, etc. Furthermore, the color of the light emitted by the light source can be changed appropriately depending on the application of the vehicle lamp, such as white light, red light, orange light, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...vehicle lamp 2...light source 3...inner lens (light guide) 4...lamp 5...housing 6...outer lens 7...socket with coupler 8...first incident portion 8a...first light collecting incident surface 8b...second incident surface 8c...light collecting reflecting surface 8d...protrusion 9...first exit portion 9a...first light guiding exit surface 9b...second light guiding exit surface 10...first lens portion 11...second incident portion 11a...third incident surface 12...second exit portion 12a...diffusion cut 13...second lens portion 14...connecting portion K...space L...light L1...first light L2...second light AX...optical axis

Claims

1. A light source and a light guide that guides the light emitted from the light source, the light guide includes a first lens portion including a first incident portion located on a side facing the light source and a first exit portion located on an opposite side to the first incident portion; a second lens unit including a second incident portion located on a side facing the first lens unit and a second exit portion located on an opposite side to the second incident portion; a connecting portion that connects the first lens portion and the second lens portion while forming a space between the first emission portion and the second incidence portion, the first incident portion has a first light-collecting incident surface, which is located on the center side of a portion facing the light source, and on which first light of light radially emitted from the light source is incident while being collected; a second incident surface, which is located on the inner peripheral side of a protrusion that protrudes from a position surrounding the periphery of the first light-collecting incident surface toward the light source, and on which second light of light radially emitted from the light source is incident; and a light-collecting reflecting surface, which is located on the outer peripheral side of the protrusion, and which reflects the second light incident from the second incident surface, the first emission section has a first light-guiding emission surface that is located on a side facing the first light-collecting incidence surface and that emits the first light that has entered from the first light-collecting incidence surface toward the space, and a second light-guiding emission surface that is located on at least one of both sides across the first light-collecting emission surface and that emits the second light that has been reflected by the light-collecting reflection surface toward the space, the first light emitted from the first light guide emission surface is incident on the second incident portion and then emitted from the second emission portion, The second light emitted from the second light guide exit surface is emitted from one side of the first lens portion to the opposite side of the second lens portion, enters the second entrance portion, and is then emitted from the second exit portion in a wider angle direction than the first light.

2. 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the second light guide and output surface forms a vertical surface that is perpendicular to the reflection direction of the second light reflected by the light collecting and reflecting surface.

3. 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the second light guide and output surface constitutes a refractive surface that refracts the second light reflected by the light collecting and reflecting surface in directions that intersect with each other.

4. 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the second exit portion includes a plurality of diffusion cuts, and the first light and the second light incident from the second entrance portion are diffused by the plurality of diffusion cuts and then emitted.

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