Board of vehicular light emitting unit, vehicular light emitting unit, and vehicular lighting fixture

Abstract

To provide a board of a vehicular light emitting unit, the vehicular light emitting unit, and a vehicular lighting fixture that can reduce components and reduce cost.SOLUTION: In a board 2, a vehicular light emitting unit 1U, and a vehicular lighting fixture 100 according to the present invention, a first portion 21 on which a light conversion layer 3 is formed, and a second portion 22 on which an excitation light source 4 and an optical member 5 are installed are composed of the one board 2. As a result, the present invention can reduce components and reduce cost.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a substrate for a vehicle light emitting unit, a vehicle light emitting unit, and a vehicle lamp. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Patent Document 1, for example, discloses a vehicle light emitting unit or vehicle lamp that utilizes secondary light of luminescence that is excited by excitation light and emits light.

[0003] The vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 includes a light source that emits excitation light, a reflector that reflects the excitation light from the light source, a light generating unit that has a light emitting layer that emits generated light when irradiated with the excitation light and a holding member that holds the light emitting layer, and a lens member that is arranged on the front side of the light emitting layer and irradiates the generated light from the light emitting layer in a forward direction when mounted on a vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-98490 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 has a heat sink that dissipates heat from the light source and a holding member for the light generating portion that are configured separately, so it has many components and tends to be expensive.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a substrate for a vehicle light emitting unit, a vehicle light emitting unit, and a vehicle lamp that can reduce the number of components and lower costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the substrate of a vehicle light emitting unit according to a first aspect of the present invention is a substrate of a vehicle light emitting unit, which comprises a first portion in which a light conversion layer is formed and a second portion in which an excitation light source is installed, and the first portion and the second portion are composed of a single substrate.

[0008] In the substrate of the vehicle light emitting unit of the present invention, it is preferable that the first portion and the second portion are bent between the first portion and the second portion.

[0009] In the substrate of the vehicle light-emitting unit of this invention, it is preferable that the second part has an attachment portion to which the second part, the excitation light source, and the vehicle lamp are attached, and the attachment portion is arranged in a portion excluding the portion between the light-emitting element of the excitation light source attached to the second part and the first part.

[0010] In the substrate of the vehicle light-emitting unit of this invention, it is preferable that the second part has a positioning portion for positioning the second part, the excitation light source, and the vehicle lamp, and that the positioning portion is arranged in a portion excluding the portion between the light-emitting element of the excitation light source attached to the second part and the first part.

[0011] In the substrate of the light emitting unit for a vehicle according to the present invention, it is preferable that an optical member that irradiates the excitation light from the excitation light source onto the light conversion layer is installed in the second portion.

[0012] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle light emitting unit comprising a substrate having a first portion and a second portion, a light conversion layer formed on the first portion, and an excitation light source installed on the second portion, wherein the light conversion layer converts the excitation light irradiated from the excitation light source into secondary light and irradiates the secondary light in a predetermined direction, and the first portion and the second portion of the substrate are formed from a single substrate.

[0013] In the vehicle light emitting unit of the present invention, it is preferable that the first portion and the second portion are bent at a position between the first portion and the second portion.

[0014] In the vehicle light-emitting unit of this invention, it is preferable that the second part has an attachment portion to which the second part, the excitation light source, and the vehicle lamp are attached, and that the attachment portion is arranged in a portion excluding the portion between the light-emitting element of the excitation light source attached to the second part and the first part.

[0015] In the vehicle light-emitting unit of this invention, it is preferable that the second part has a positioning portion for positioning the second part, the excitation light source, and the vehicle lamp, and that the positioning portion is arranged in a portion excluding the portion between the light-emitting element of the excitation light source attached to the second part and the first part.

[0016] In the light emitting unit for a vehicle of the present invention, it is preferable that an optical member that irradiates the excitation light from the excitation light source onto the light conversion layer is installed in the second portion.

[0017] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a vehicle lamp according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a lamp housing and a lamp lens that form a space, a vehicle light emitting unit according to any one of claims 6 to 10 that is arranged in the space, and an attachment portion that is arranged in the space, wherein the second portion of the substrate of the vehicle light emitting unit is attached to the attachment portion, and the light conversion layer of the vehicle light emitting unit irradiates the secondary light toward the lamp lens.

[0018] In the vehicle lamp of the present invention, it is preferable that a shielding member is disposed between the optical member and the lamp lens of the vehicle light emitting unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] The substrate for the vehicle light emitting unit, the vehicle light emitting unit, and the vehicle lamp of the present invention can reduce the number of components and reduce costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a substrate of a vehicle light emitting unit, a vehicle light emitting unit, and a vehicle lamp according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a used state. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a substrate of a vehicle light emitting unit and a state in which the vehicle light emitting unit is used. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the substrate after holes have been drilled. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the substrate after the hole drilling process, taken along the line IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a substrate having a light conversion layer formed on a first portion thereof. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view showing a substrate on which a light conversion layer is formed in a first portion, and is a view taken along the arrow VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a substrate in which the first and second portions are bent. [Figure 8] 8 is a side view showing the substrate in which the first portion and the second portion are bent, taken along the line VIII in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state in which the second portion of the substrate is mounted on the mounting member. [Figure 10] 10 is a side view showing a state in which the second portion of the substrate is mounted on the mounting member, and is a view taken along the arrow X in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a state in which the excitation light source is installed on the second portion of the substrate. [Figure 12] 12 is a side view showing a state in which the excitation light source is installed on the second portion of the substrate, and is a view taken along the arrow XII in FIG. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state in which the second portion of the substrate, the excitation light source, and the optical member are fastened together to the mounting member. [Figure 14] 14 is a side view showing a state in which the second portion of the substrate, the excitation light source, and the optical member are fastened together to the mounting member, and is a view taken along the arrow XIV in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a second embodiment of the substrate of the vehicle light emitting unit, the vehicle light emitting unit, and the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is used. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a first modified example of the substrate of the vehicle light emitting unit, the vehicle light emitting unit, and the vehicle lamp according to the present invention in a used state. [Figure 17] 17 is a front view showing the substrate of the vehicle light emitting unit and the vehicle light emitting unit in use, taken along the arrow XVII in FIG. 16. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a second modified example of the substrate of the vehicle light emitting unit, the vehicle light emitting unit, and the vehicle lamp according to the present invention in a used state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of a substrate for a vehicle light emitting unit, a vehicle light emitting unit, and a vehicle lamp according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0022] In this specification, the terms "front," "rear," "up," "down," "left," and "right" refer to the front, rear, top, bottom, left, and right directions in a vehicle-mounted state in which the substrate of the vehicular light emitting unit, the vehicular light emitting unit, and the vehicular lamp according to the present invention are mounted on the vehicle. The terms "front," "up," "down," and "left" refer to the directions in a vehicle-mounted state in which the substrate of the vehicular light emitting unit, the vehicular light emitting unit, and the vehicular lamp are mounted on the vehicle, and refer to the directions when viewed from the driver's seat in the direction of travel of the vehicle. The front and rear directions are the vehicle's traveling direction, i.e., the forward and backward directions, the up and down direction is parallel to the vertical direction, and the left and right direction is the horizontal direction. Regarding the front and rear directions, the direction in which light is emitted from the vehicular light emitting unit and the vehicular lamp is the front direction, and the direction opposite to the front direction is the rear direction.

[0023] The drawings are schematic diagrams showing the substrate of the vehicle light emitting unit, the vehicle light emitting unit, and the vehicle lamp according to the present invention, and therefore only show the main components of the substrate of the vehicle light emitting unit, the vehicle light emitting unit, and the vehicle lamp according to the present invention, and omit illustration of components other than the main components. Also, some hatching has been omitted. Furthermore, in the drawings, the symbols "F" represent "front," "B" represent "rear," "U" represent "up," "D" represent "down," "L" represent "left," and "R" represent "right."

[0024] (Description of the configuration of the first embodiment) 1 to 14 show a substrate of a vehicle light emitting unit, a vehicle light emitting unit, and a vehicle lamp according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configurations of the substrate of the vehicle light emitting unit, the vehicle light emitting unit, and the vehicle lamp according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0025] (Description of the vehicle lamp 100) The vehicle lamp 100 according to this first embodiment is a rear combination lamp, which is attached to each of the left and right sides of the rear of the vehicle and emits light toward the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, in this first embodiment, the front direction is the rear direction and the back direction is the forward direction. Note that the vehicle is not shown in the drawing.

[0026] The vehicular lamp 100 shown in Fig. 1 is a left-side vehicular lamp 100 mounted on the left rear side of a vehicle. The left-side vehicular lamp 100 will be described below. Note that the right-side vehicular lamp mounted on the right rear side of a vehicle has the same configuration as the left-side vehicular lamp 100, but is laterally reversed, and therefore will not be described here.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lamp 100 includes an outer housing 101 as a lamp housing, an outer lens 102 as a lamp lens, and a vehicle light emitting unit 1U according to the first embodiment as a tail lamp unit.

[0028] The outer housing 101 is a light-impermeable member and is made of a resin material, etc. The outer lens 102 is a light-transmitting member and is made of a resin material, etc. The outer housing 101 and the outer lens 102 are fixed to each other, and a space, i.e., a lamp space 103, is formed inside the outer housing 101 and the outer lens 102.

[0029] In this example, the outer lens 102 is a colorless, transparent outer cover or the like. The outer lens 102 may be a red lens. The outer lens 102 has a curved shape that protrudes from the inside, i.e., the lamp space 103 side, to the outside, i.e., the opposite side of the lamp space 103. The outer lens 102 is inclined from top to bottom and from front to back.

[0030] The vehicle light emitting unit 1U is disposed in the vertical center of the lamp space 103. Other lamp units are also disposed in the lamp space 103. The other lamp units are signal lamps and illuminating lamps such as stop lamps, tail stop lamps, turn signal lamps, backup lamps, and tail fog lamps.

[0031] A mounting portion 104 such as a base and a shielding member 105 are arranged within the lamp space 103. The mounting portion 104 is attached to the outer housing 101 directly or via another member such as a bracket. In this example, the mounting portion 104 has a rectangular plate shape. One surface 106 of the mounting portion 104 forms a horizontal plane. The vehicle light emitting unit 1U is positioned on the one surface 106 of the mounting portion 104 by positioning means and is attached by mounting screws 107 as mounting means.

[0032] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, two protrusions 108 serving as positioning means are provided on both side edges of one surface 106 of the mounting portion 104. In this example, the protrusions 108 are cylindrical or conical. Note that the shape of the protrusions 108 is not limited to the shape in this example. A screw hole 109 serving as mounting means is provided in the center of one surface 106 of the mounting portion 104. Note that if the mounting screw 107 is a tapping screw, a pilot hole will be used instead of the screw hole 109.

[0033] The shielding member 105 is made of a light-impermeable material, and is attached to the outer housing 101, similar to the attachment portion 104. The shielding member 105 is disposed between the outer lens 102 and at least the optical member 5 of the vehicle light emitting unit 1U, and covers the optical member 5 so that the optical member 5 cannot be seen from the outer lens 102.

[0034] (Description of vehicle lighting unit 1U) 1, the vehicle light emitting unit 1U is disposed in a lamp space 103 as a space, is positioned on a mounting portion 104 by a positioning means, and is mounted by a mounting means such as a mounting screw 107. In this example, the vehicle light emitting unit 1U is a tail lamp unit, and includes a substrate 2, a light conversion layer 3, an excitation light source 4, and an optical member 5, as shown in FIGS.

[0035] (Explanation of board 2) The substrate 2 is made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as FR4 or an aluminum substrate. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 14, the substrate 2 has a first portion 21 and a second portion 22. Since the substrate 2 is made of a material with high thermal conductivity, it has a high heat dissipation effect. In this example, the substrate 2 has a rectangular shape with one corner removed.

[0036] The first portion 21 and the second portion 22 are formed from a single substrate 2. That is, the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 are integrally formed. The first portion 21 and the second portion 22 are bent at a predetermined angle θ° between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 at a distance 20 between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22, as shown in FIG. 8(A). The bending angle θ° between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 is set to an angle at which the excitation light L1 from the optical member 5 is irradiated to the light conversion layer 3 with high efficiency. In this example, the bending angle θ° is in the range of approximately 30° to approximately 75°, preferably in the range of approximately 45° to approximately 60°. However, the bending angle θ° is not limited to this range.

[0037] The first portion 21 has a rectangular shape with one corner removed, and the second portion 22 has a rectangular shape. The shapes of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 can be any shape based on the layout of the light conversion layer 3, excitation light source 4, and optical member 5, the design of the light-emitting surface of the tail lamp unit, i.e., the design of the light conversion layer 3, etc.

[0038] The light conversion layer 3 is formed on one surface of the first portion 21. The first portion 21 is a holding member or holding substrate that holds the light conversion layer 3. One surface of the first portion 21 faces the outer lens 102. Therefore, the light conversion layer 3 also faces the outer lens 102.

[0039] 13 and 14, the second part 22, together with the excitation light source 4 and the optical member 5, is positioned on the mounting portion 104 by a positioning means, and is attached by an attachment means such as an attachment screw 107. The second part 22 is an attachment substrate on which the excitation light source 4 is attached, and also serves as a heat sink that dissipates heat generated in the excitation light source 4.

[0040] 3 and 4, second portion 22 has first and second elongated holes 221 and 222 each having an oval shape and first and second circular holes 223 and 224 each having a circular shape, which serve as positioning means, on both left and right edges of second portion 22 relative to space 20. First elongated hole 221 and first circular hole 223 are provided to correspond to two protrusions 108 of mounting portion 104.

[0041] 3 and 4, a semicircular piece 225 serving as an attachment means is provided in the center of the front edge of the second portion 22 opposite the space 20. A circular through-hole 226 is provided in the piece 225. Note that the piece 225 and the circular through-hole 226 may be provided on both the left and right edges of the second portion 22 relative to the space 20, as shown by the two-dot chain lines in FIGS. 3 and 4. The attachment screw 107 passes through the through-hole 226 of this piece 225, shown by the solid line and the two-dot chain line.

[0042] The second portion 22 has a positioning portion 23 and an attachment portion 24. The positioning portion 23 is a portion where the second portion 22, the excitation light source 4, the optical member 5, and the attachment portion 104 are positioned by a positioning device. In this example, the positioning portion 23 is a portion on both left and right edges of the second portion 22, in which the first elongated hole 221, the second elongated hole 222, the first round hole 223, and the second round hole 224 are provided, with respect to the space 20. The attachment portion 24 is a portion where the second portion 22, the excitation light source 4, and the optical member 5 are attached to the attachment portion 104 by an attachment device. In this example, the attachment portion 24 is a portion on the front edge of the second portion 22, in which the piece portion 225 is provided, on the opposite side of the space 20. For convenience, the boundaries between the positioning portion 23 and the attachment portion 24 and other portions of the second portion 22 are indicated by dashed lines in FIGS. 3 and 4 .

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3 , the positioning portion 23 and the mounting portion 24 are disposed in a portion of the second portion 22 excluding the area between the light-emitting element 41 of the excitation light source 4 attached to the second portion 22 and the gap 20. That is, the first elongated hole 221, the second elongated hole 222, the first round hole 223, the second round hole 224 of the positioning portion 23, and the piece portion 225 of the mounting portion 24 are not disposed between the light-emitting element 41 of the excitation light source 4 attached to the second portion 22 and the gap 20. This allows the light-emitting element 41 of the excitation light source 4 to be positioned close to the gap 20, thereby shortening the light-guiding distance of the excitation light L1 in the light-guiding portion 53 of the optical member 5. Note that in FIG. 3 , the light-emitting element 41 of the excitation light source 4 attached to the second portion 22 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0044] (Explanation of light conversion layer 3) 5 and 6, the light conversion layer 3 is formed on one surface of the first portion 21 of the substrate 2, i.e., the surface facing the outer lens 102. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the light conversion layer 3 converts the excitation light L1 irradiated from the optical member 5 and the excitation light L1 reflected from the first portion 21 into secondary light L2, and irradiates the secondary light L2 from the front of the light conversion layer 3 toward the outer lens 102.

[0045] The front surface of the light conversion layer 3 forms a light-emitting surface. The front light-emitting surface of the light conversion layer 3 is tilted upward at an angle θ° with respect to the horizontal. The front light-emitting surface of the light conversion layer 3 is made of a designed surface of any shape. In Figures 1 and 2, the excitation light L1 is indicated by a solid arrow, and the secondary light L2 is indicated by a hollow arrow.

[0046] The light conversion layer 3 may be made of either an organic or inorganic light emitting material. That is, the material of the light conversion layer 3 is made of at least one of an organic fluorescent material, an organic phosphorescent material, and an inorganic fluorescent material. The thickness of the light conversion layer 3 is determined based on the relative relationship with the conversion of the excitation light L1 to the secondary light L2, and is not particularly limited.

[0047] (Explanation of excitation light source 4) 11 and 12, the excitation light source 4 has a printed circuit board 40, a light-emitting element 41, and a connector 42. The light-emitting element 41 and other electronic components are mounted on the printed circuit board 40, and the connector 42 and other electric components are also attached to the printed circuit board 40.

[0048] In this example, the printed circuit board 40 is made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as FR4 or an aluminum substrate. The printed circuit board 40 has a rectangular shape, similar to the second portion 22 of the substrate 2. On both left and right edges of the printed circuit board 40, there are provided a first oblong slot 401 and a second oblong slot 402, and a first circular slot 403 and a second circular slot 404, which serve as positioning means. A mounting piece 405 serving as mounting means is provided in the center of the front edge of the printed circuit board 40, and the mounting piece 405 has a mounting hole 406 formed by cutting out a portion of the circle. The mounting piece 405 and the mounting hole 406 of the printed circuit board 40 are provided to correspond to the piece 225 and the hole 226 of the second portion 22 of the substrate 2.

[0049] The first elongated hole 401, the second elongated hole 402, the first round hole 403, the second round hole 404 of the positioning means of the printed circuit board 40 and the through-hole 406 of the mounting means are arranged to correspond to the first elongated hole 221, the second elongated hole 222, the first round hole 223, the second round hole 224 of the positioning means of the substrate 2 and the through-hole 226 of the mounting means.

[0050] In this example, the light emitting element 41 has a rectangular shape. However, the shape of the light emitting element 41 is not limited to a rectangular shape. Three light emitting elements 41 are mounted in the center of the rear edge of the printed circuit board 40, between the first elongated hole 401 and the second round hole 404 and the second elongated hole 402 and the first round hole 403. However, the number of mounted light emitting elements 41 is not limited to three. Furthermore, the rear edge of the printed circuit board 40 corresponds to the space 20 between the substrates 2.

[0051] As described above, the long sides of the three light-emitting elements 41 are arranged parallel to the rear edge of the printed circuit board 40. Furthermore, the first elongated hole 401, the second elongated hole 402, the first round hole 403, and the second round hole 404 of the positioning means of the printed circuit board 40, and the mounting piece portion 405 and the mounting through hole 406 of the mounting means are arranged on both the left and right sides and the front side of the three light-emitting elements 41. As a result, the first elongated hole 401, the second elongated hole 402, the first round hole 403, and the second round hole 404 of the positioning means of the printed circuit board 40, and the mounting piece portion 405 and the mounting through hole 406 of the mounting means are not arranged between the long sides of the three light-emitting elements 41 and the rear edge of the printed circuit board 40.

[0052] In this example, the light-emitting element 41 is a blue LED. The light-emitting element 41 emits excitation light L1 having a dominant wavelength in the range of approximately 350 nm to approximately 500 nm. Note that a light source other than a blue LED, such as an LD (semiconductor laser), may also be used as the light-emitting element 41. In this example, the excitation light L1 is blue light having a dominant wavelength of approximately 450 nm. Furthermore, the directivity angle of the excitation light L1 is wide, for example, 180°.

[0053] (Explanation of Optical Member 5) The optical member 5 is a light-transmitting member (such as a resin member), and in this example is made of a colorless and transparent resin material such as acrylic resin, PC (polycarbonate), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate, methacrylic resin), etc. The optical member 5 is a lens member, or what is called a light guide.

[0054] 1, 2, 13, and 14, the optical member 5 is attached to the second portion 22 of the substrate 2, and irradiates the light conversion layer 3 with excitation light L1 from the light emitting element 41 of the excitation light source 4. In this example, the optical member 5 has a positioning portion 50, an attachment portion 51, an incident portion 52, a light guiding portion 53, and an exit portion 54. The optical member 5 has a plate-shaped lower portion made up of the positioning portion 50, the attachment portion 51, and a part of the incident portion 52, and an plate-shaped upper portion made up of the remaining portion of the incident portion 52, the light guiding portion 53, and the exit portion 54.

[0055] The positioning portion 50 is composed of two pins 500 that are integrally provided on both sides of the lower surface of the lower portion. The pins 500 correspond to the second elongated hole 222 and the second round hole 224 of the second portion 22 of the substrate 2 and the second elongated hole 402 and the second round hole 404 of the printed circuit board 40.

[0056] The mounting portion 51 is made up of the central portion on the front side of the lower portion. A circular through-hole 510 is provided in the mounting portion 51. The through-hole 510 corresponds to the through-hole 226 of the second portion 22 of the substrate 2 and the mounting through-hole 406 of the printed circuit board 40.

[0057] The incident section 52 is composed of a rear portion of the lower section and a front portion of the upper section. The incident section 52 has a first incident surface 521, a second incident surface 522, a first reflecting surface 523, and a second reflecting surface 524. The first incident surface 521 and the second incident surface 522 allow the excitation light L1 from the light-emitting element 41 to be incident thereon. The first reflecting surface 523 reflects the excitation light L1 incident from the first incident surface 521 toward the second reflecting surface 524. The second reflecting surface 524 reflects the excitation light L1 incident from the second incident surface 522 and the excitation light L1 reflected from the first reflecting surface 523 toward the light-guiding section 53.

[0058] Light guide section 53 is made up of the upper portion between incident section 52 and exit section 54. Light guide section 53 guides excitation light L1 from incident section 52 side to exit section 54 side in the horizontal direction.

[0059] The exit section 54 is composed of the rear part of the upper section. The exit section 54 has a reflecting surface 540 and an exiting surface 541. The reflecting surface 540 reflects the excitation light L1 guided by the light-guiding section 53 toward the exiting surface 541. The exiting surface 541 emits the excitation light L1 reflected from the reflecting surface 540 toward the light conversion layer 3 of the first portion 21 of the substrate 2.

[0060] (Explanation of the manufacturing process for the vehicle light emitting unit 1U) The manufacturing process of the light emitting unit for vehicle 1U will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0061] 3 and 4, the substrate 2 of the vehicle light emitting unit 1U is cut to a predetermined shape and size in a cutting process, and the first elongated hole 221, the second elongated hole 222, the first round hole 223, the second round hole 224, and the through hole 226 are drilled at predetermined positions in a hole drilling process. Note that the excitation light source 4 and the optical member 5 of the vehicle light emitting unit 1U and the outer housing 101 of the vehicle lamp 100 are manufactured separately from the substrate 2 of the vehicle light emitting unit 1U.

[0062] Next, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the light conversion layer 3 is formed on the first portion 21 of the substrate 2 that has been cut and drilled.

[0063] Then, as shown in Figures 7 and 8(A), in the substrate 2, the first portion 21 in which the optical conversion layer 3 is formed and the other second portion 22 are bent at a predetermined angle θ° between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 20 as shown in Figure 8(A).

[0064] 8(B), the first portion 21 on which the light conversion layer 3 is formed may be further bent. By bending the first portion 21, the inclination angle of the front surface of the light conversion layer 3 changes from one step of the angle θ° shown in FIG. 8(A) to two steps, and the angle and range at which the excitation light L1 from the optical member 5 is irradiated onto the front surface of the light conversion layer 3 can be adjusted.

[0065] Furthermore, the process of bending the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 of the substrate 2 shown in Figures 7, 8(A), and (B) may be a process subsequent to or prior to the process of forming the light conversion layer 3 shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0066] 9 and 10, the second portion 22 of the substrate 2 is placed on the mounting portion 104 of the outer housing 101. At this time, the two protrusions 108 of the mounting portion 104 are inserted into the first elongated hole 221 and the first round hole 223 of the second portion 22. This determines the relative positions of the mounting portion 104 and the substrate 2.

[0067] 11 and 12, the excitation light source 4 is mounted on the second portion 22 of the substrate 2. At this time, the two protrusions 108 of the mounting portion 104 are inserted through the first elongated hole 221 and the first round hole 223 of the second portion 22 into the first elongated hole 401 and the first round hole 403 of the printed circuit board 40 of the excitation light source 4. This determines the relative positions of the mounting portion 104, the substrate 2, and the excitation light source 4.

[0068] 13 and 14, the optical member 5 is mounted on the printed circuit board 40 of the excitation light source 4. At this time, the two pins 500 of the optical member 5 are inserted into the second elongated hole 402 and the second round hole 404 of the printed circuit board 40 of the excitation light source 4, and into the second elongated hole 222 and the second round hole 224 of the second portion 22 of the substrate 2. This determines the relative positions of the mounting portion 104, the substrate 2, the excitation light source 4, and the optical member 5.

[0069] 13 and 14, the mounting screw 107 passes through the through-hole 510 of the optical member 5, the mounting through-hole 406 of the printed circuit board 40 of the excitation light source 4, and the through-hole 226 of the second portion 22 of the board 2, and is screwed into the screw hole 109 of the mounting base 104. This fixes the mounting base 104, the board 2, the excitation light source 4, and the optical member 5 together. At this time, the vehicle light emitting unit 1U is attached by being sandwiched between the mounting base 104 and the head of the mounting screw 107. In other words, the vehicle light emitting unit 1U is attached to the mounting base 104 in a positioned state.

[0070] (Explanation of the Function of Embodiment 1) The substrate 2, the vehicular light emitting unit 1U, and the vehicular lamp 100 according to the first embodiment are configured as described above, and their functions will be described below.

[0071] When the light-emitting element 41 of the excitation light source 4 is turned on, excitation light L1 is emitted from the light-emitting element 41. This excitation light L1 enters the optical element 5 from the incident portion 52 of the optical element 5. The excitation light L1 that has entered the optical element 5 is guided from the incident portion 52 to the exit portion 54 through the light-guiding portion 53 of the optical element 5. The excitation light L1 that has been guided to the exit portion 54 is irradiated from the exit portion 54 onto the light conversion layer 3 in the first portion 21 of the substrate 2.

[0072] The blue excitation light L1 irradiated from the optical member 5 onto the light conversion layer 3 is converted into red secondary light L2 by the light conversion layer 3. The secondary light L2 is emitted from the light emitting surface on the front side of the light conversion layer 3, passes through the outer lens 102, and exits to the outside in a predetermined light distribution pattern, in this example, the light distribution pattern of a tail lamp.

[0073] (Explanation of the Effects of the First Embodiment) The substrate 2, the vehicle light emitting unit 1U, and the vehicle lamp 100 according to the first embodiment have the above-described configurations and functions, and the effects thereof will be described below.

[0074] In the substrate 2 according to this embodiment 1, the first portion 21 where the light conversion layer 3 is formed and the second portion 22 where the excitation light source 4 and the optical member 5 are disposed are configured from a single substrate 2. As a result, the substrate 2, vehicle light emitting unit 1U, and vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment 1 can reduce the number of components and the cost compared to the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 in which the heat sink that dissipates heat from the light source and the holding member for the light generation unit are configured separately.

[0075] In the substrate 2 according to the first embodiment, the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 are bent at the boundary between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22. As a result, in the substrate 2, the vehicular light emitting unit 1U, and the vehicular lamp 100 according to the first embodiment, even if the first portion 21, in which the light conversion layer 3 is formed, and the second portion 22, in which the excitation light source 4 and the optical member 5 are disposed, are configured from a single substrate 2, by bending the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 at an arbitrary predetermined angle θ°, the excitation light L1 from the optical member 5 in the second portion 22 can be highly efficiently irradiated onto the light conversion layer 3 in the first portion 21.

[0076] In the substrate 2 according to the first embodiment, the second portion 22 has an attachment portion 24 to which the second portion 22, the excitation light source 4, and the attachment target portion 104 are attached, and the attachment portion 24 is disposed in a portion excluding the portion between the first portion 21 and the light-emitting element 41 of the excitation light source 4 attached to the second portion 22. As a result, in the substrate 2, the vehicular light emitting unit 1U, and the vehicular lamp 100 according to the first embodiment, the attachment portion 24 is not disposed between the light-emitting element 41 of the excitation light source 4 and the first portion 21, and therefore the light-emitting element 41 can be placed close to the first portion 21. As a result, the substrate 2, the vehicular light emitting unit 1U, and the vehicular lamp 100 according to the first embodiment can irradiate the excitation light L1 to the light conversion layer 3 with high efficiency.

[0077] In the substrate 2 according to the first embodiment, the second portion 22 has a positioning portion 23 that positions the second portion 22, the excitation light source 4, and the mounting portion 104, and the positioning portion 23 is disposed in a portion excluding the portion between the first portion 21 and the light-emitting element 41 of the excitation light source 4 that is mounted on the second portion 22. As a result, in the substrate 2, the vehicular light emitting unit 1U, and the vehicular lamp 100 according to the first embodiment, the positioning portion 23 is not disposed between the light-emitting element 41 of the excitation light source 4 and the first portion 21, and therefore the light-emitting element 41 can be brought close to the first portion 21. As a result, the substrate 2, the vehicular light emitting unit 1U, and the vehicular lamp 100 according to the first embodiment can irradiate the excitation light L1 to the light conversion layer 3 with high efficiency.

[0078] In the substrate 2 according to the first embodiment, an optical member 5 is provided in the second portion 22, which irradiates the excitation light L1 from the excitation light source 4 onto the light conversion layer 3. As a result, the substrate 2, the vehicle light emitting unit 1U, and the vehicle lamp 100 according to the first embodiment can irradiate the excitation light L1 from the excitation light source 4 onto the light conversion layer 3 via the optical member 5 with high efficiency.

[0079] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the first embodiment, a shielding member 105 is disposed between the optical member 5 and the outer lens 102. As a result, in the vehicle lamp 100 according to the first embodiment, the optical member 5 is covered and hidden by the shielding member 105, and the optical member 5 is not visible when looking into the lamp space 103 from the outer lens 102. This makes it possible for the vehicle lamp 100 according to the first embodiment to highlight the light-emitting surface of the light conversion layer 3, thereby improving the degree of freedom in designing the light conversion layer 3.

[0080] (Description of the configuration, operation, and effects of the second embodiment) 15 shows a second embodiment of the substrate, the vehicle light emitting unit, and the vehicle lamp according to the present invention. In Fig. 15, the same reference numerals as in Figs. 1 to 14 denote the same components.

[0081] In the substrate 2 according to the first embodiment, the first portion 21 is disposed rearward relative to the second portion 22, and the first portion 21 is bent obliquely downward at a distance 20 from the second portion 22. In contrast, in the substrate 2A according to the second embodiment, the first portions 21A, 21A are disposed on both the left and right sides of the second portion 22A, and the first portions 21A, 21A are bent obliquely rearward at a distance 20 from the second portion 22A.

[0082] In the vehicle light emitting unit 1U according to the first embodiment, the optical member 5 is disposed above the first portion 21 and irradiates the excitation light L1 onto the lower light conversion layer 3. In contrast, in the vehicle light emitting unit 1UA according to the second embodiment, the optical member 5A is disposed between the first portions 21A, 21A on both the left and right sides and irradiates the excitation light L1 onto the left and right light conversion layers 3.

[0083] The substrate 2A, vehicle light-emitting unit 1UA, and vehicle lamp 100A according to this second embodiment are configured as described above, and therefore can achieve the same functions and effects as the substrate 2, vehicle light-emitting unit 1U, and vehicle lamp 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0084] Although not shown, in the vehicle light emitting unit 1UA according to this embodiment 2, similar to the vehicle light emitting unit 1U according to the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the positioning portion and the mounting portion may be configured to be arranged in the second part 22A excluding the portion between the light emitting element of the excitation light source 4 mounted on the second part 22A and the gap 20.

[0085] (Explanation of the configuration, action, and effect of Modification 1) Figures 16 and 17 show a first modified example of the substrate, vehicle light emitting unit, and vehicle lamp according to the present invention. In Figures 16 and 17, the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 15 indicate the same components. In Figure 16, light L3 from another light source 6 is indicated by a dashed grid arrow.

[0086] The substrates 2, 2A, vehicle light emitting units 1U, 1UA, and vehicle lamps 100, 100A according to the first and second embodiments use only the excitation light source 4. In contrast, the substrate 2B, vehicle light emitting unit 1UB, and vehicle lamp 100B according to this first modified example use the excitation light source 4 and another light source 6.

[0087] The substrate 2B according to this first modification, like the substrate 2 according to the first embodiment, has a first portion 21B disposed rearward of the second portion 22B, and the first portion 21B is bent downward relative to the second portion 22B. The second portion 22B of the substrate 2B according to this first modification has an additional light source 6 and an optical member 5B attached to it. The optical member 5B receives light L3 from the additional light source 6 and emits it toward the outer lens 102. The additional light source 6 is used for functions other than the tail lamp function, such as a stop lamp function, a turn signal lamp function, a backup lamp function, a rear fog lamp function, and a license lamp function. As a result, the light L3 from the additional light source 6 is emitted from the exit surface of the optical member 5B, as shown in the area indicated by the dashed grid in FIG. 17, passes through the outer lens 102, and is irradiated to the outside as another lamp function with a predetermined light distribution pattern.

[0088] In the substrate 2B, vehicle light emitting unit 1UB, and vehicle lamp 100B according to Modification 1, the excitation light source 4 is disposed behind and below the light conversion layer 3 in the first portion 21B of the substrate 2B within the lamp space 103. The excitation light source 4 irradiates excitation light L1 onto the light conversion layer 3 in the first portion 21B of the substrate 2B. The light conversion layer 3 converts the excitation light L1 into secondary light L2 and irradiates the secondary light L2 toward the outer lens 102. As a result, the excitation light L1 from the excitation light source 4 is converted into secondary light L2 in the light conversion layer 3. As shown in the solid-line grid portion in FIG. 17 , the secondary light L2 is emitted from the light-emitting surface of the light conversion layer 3, passes through the outer lens 102, and is irradiated to the outside in a predetermined light distribution pattern as a tail lamp.

[0089] The substrate 2B, vehicle light-emitting unit 1UB, and vehicle lamp 100B according to this variant example 1 have the above-described configuration and function, and can therefore achieve the same effects as the substrates 2, 2A, vehicle light-emitting units 1U, 1UA, and vehicle lamps 100, 100A according to the first and second embodiments.

[0090] Although not shown, in the substrate 2B, vehicular light emitting unit 1UB, and vehicular lamp 100B according to this modified example 1, similar to the substrates 2, 2A, vehicular light emitting units 1U, 1UA, and vehicular lamps 100, 100A according to the first and second embodiments, the positioning portion and the mounting portion may be configured to be disposed in a portion of the second portion 22B excluding the space between the light emitting element of another light source 6 attached to the second portion 22B and the gap 20. In this case, it is possible to suppress the light guiding loss of the light L3 in the light guiding portion of the optical member 5B, and therefore it is possible to irradiate the light L3 from the optical member 5B toward the outer lens 102 with high efficiency.

[0091] (Explanation of the configuration, action, and effect of Modification 2) Fig. 18 shows a second modification of the substrate, the vehicle light emitting unit, and the vehicle lamp according to the present invention. In Fig. 18, the same reference numerals as in Figs. 1 to 17 denote the same parts.

[0092] The substrate 2B according to the first modification is formed by bending downward the first portion 21B located rearward of the second portion 22B. In contrast, the substrate 2C according to the second modification is formed by bending the first portions 21C, 21C located on both the left and right sides of the second portion 22C obliquely rearward, similar to the substrate 2A according to the second embodiment.

[0093] In the vehicle light emitting unit 1UC according to the second modification, similarly to the vehicle light emitting unit 1UB according to the first modification, another light source 6 and an optical member 5C are attached to the second portion 22C of the substrate 2C. As a result, similarly to the first modification, the optical member 5C receives light L3 from the other light source 6 and emits it toward the outer lens 102.

[0094] Furthermore, in the substrate 2C, vehicular light emitting unit 1UC, and vehicular lamp 100C according to Modification 2, the two excitation light sources 4, 4C are arranged within the lamp space 103, behind and to the left or right of the light conversion layers 3 of the first portions 21C, 21C on both the left and right sides of the substrate 2C. The two excitation light sources 4, 4C irradiate the light conversion layers 3 of the first portions 21C, 21C on both the left and right sides of the substrate 2C with excitation light L1. The light conversion layers 3 convert the excitation light L1 into secondary light L2 and irradiate the secondary light L2 toward the outer lens 102.

[0095] Although not shown, in the substrate 2C, vehicle light emitting unit 1UC, and vehicle lamp 100C according to this modified example 2, similar to the substrate 2B, vehicle light emitting unit 1UB, and vehicle lamp 100B according to the modified example 1, the positioning portion and the mounting portion may be configured to be arranged in the second part 22C excluding the space between the light emitting element of the other light source 6 attached to the second part 22C and the gap 20.

[0096] (Explanation of Examples Other Than Embodiments 1 and 2 and Modifications 1 and 2) In the above-described first and second embodiments and first and second modifications, an example is described in which the vehicular light emitting units 1U, 1UA, 1UB, and 1UC having the substrates 2, 2A, 2B, and 2C are arranged in the lamp space 103 formed by the outer housing 101 and outer lens 102 of the vehicular lamps 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C. However, in the present invention, the vehicular light emitting units 1U, 1UA, 1UB, and 1UC may be arranged in the lamp unit space formed by the inner housing and inner lens of the lamp unit, and this lamp unit may be arranged in the lamp space 103 formed by the outer housing 101 and outer lens 102 of the vehicular lamps 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C.

[0097] In addition, the excitation light sources 4, 4A, 4B, and 4C of the substrates 2, 2A, 2B, and 2C, the vehicle light emitting units 1U, 1UA, 1UB, and 1UC, and the vehicle lamps 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C in the first and second embodiments and the first and second modifications are intended to be used as tail lamp light sources. However, in the present invention, the excitation light sources 4, 4A, 4B, and 4C of the substrates 2, 2A, 2B, and 2C, the vehicle light emitting units 1U, 1UA, 1UB, and 1UC, and the vehicle lamps 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C may be used as light sources other than tail lamp light sources, such as stop lamp light sources, turn signal lamp light sources, backup lamp light sources, rear fog lamp light sources, and license lamp light sources. In this case, the other light sources 6 in the first and second modifications must be used as light sources for lamp functions other than the excitation light sources 4, 4A, 4B, and 4C. When the excitation light sources 4, 4A, 4B, and 4C are used as light sources for the tail lamp function and the stop lamp function, the secondary light L2 is red light. When the excitation light sources 4, 4A, 4B, and 4C are used as light sources for the turn signal lamp function, the secondary light L2 is yellow-orange light. When the excitation light sources 4, 4A, 4B, and 4C are used as light sources for the backup lamp function, the rear fog lamp function, and the license lamp function, the secondary light L2 is white light. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 100, 100A, 100B, 100C Vehicle lighting fixtures 101 outer housing 102 outer lens 103 Light space 104 Mounting part 105 Shielding member 106 one side 107 Mounting screw 108 Protrusion 109 screw hole 1U, 1UA, 1UB, 1UC Vehicle Lighting Unit 2, 2A, 2B, 2C board 20 minutes 21, 21A, 21B, 21C Part 1 22, 22A, 22B, 22C 2nd part 221 1st long hole 222 2nd long hole 223 First round hole 224 Second round hole 225 One side 226 Through hole 23 Positioning part 24 Mounting part 3 Light conversion layer 4. Excitation light source 40 Printed Circuit Board 41 Light-emitting element 42 connectors 401 1st long hole 402 2nd long hole 403 First round hole 404 Second round hole 405 Mounting piece 406 Mounting hole 5, 5A, 5B, 5C Optical components 50 Positioning part 500 pins 51 Mounting part 510 Through hole 52 Incidence part 521 1st entrance plane 522 2nd entrance plane 523 1st reflective surface 524 2nd reflective surface 53 Light guide section 54 Exit section 540 Reflective surface 541 Exit surface 6 Other Light Sources After B D bottom Before F L left L1 excitation light L2 secondary light L3 Light R right U Top θ° angle

Claims

1. A substrate of a vehicle light emitting unit, a first portion in which a light conversion layer is formed; a second portion in which an excitation light source is installed; Equipped with The first portion and the second portion are formed from a single substrate. A substrate for a vehicle light emitting unit.

2. The first portion and the second portion are folded between the first portion and the second portion.

2. The substrate of the vehicle light emitting unit according to claim 1.

3. the second portion has a mounting portion to which the second portion, the excitation light source, and the vehicle lamp are mounted, the attachment portion is disposed in a portion excluding a portion between the first portion and the light emitting element of the excitation light source attached to the second portion.

2. The substrate of the vehicle light emitting unit according to claim 1.

4. the second portion has a positioning portion for positioning the second portion, the excitation light source, and the vehicle lamp; the positioning portion is disposed in a portion excluding a portion between the first portion and the light emitting element of the excitation light source attached to the second portion.

2. The substrate of the vehicle light emitting unit according to claim 1.

5. an optical member that irradiates the light conversion layer with excitation light from the excitation light source is installed in the second portion; 2. The substrate of the vehicle light emitting unit according to claim 1.

6. a substrate having a first portion and a second portion; a light conversion layer formed in the first portion; an excitation light source installed in the second portion; Equipped with the light conversion layer converts the excitation light irradiated from the excitation light source into secondary light and irradiates the secondary light in a predetermined direction; the first portion and the second portion of the substrate are formed from one substrate; A vehicle light emitting unit.

7. The first portion and the second portion are folded between the first portion and the second portion.

7. The vehicle light emitting unit according to claim 6.

8. the second portion has a mounting portion to which the second portion, the excitation light source, and the vehicle lamp are mounted, the attachment portion is disposed in a portion excluding a portion between the first portion and the light emitting element of the excitation light source attached to the second portion.

7. The vehicle light emitting unit according to claim 6.

9. the second portion has a positioning portion for positioning the second portion, the excitation light source, and the vehicle lamp; the positioning portion is disposed in a portion excluding a portion between the first portion and the light emitting element of the excitation light source attached to the second portion.

7. The vehicle light emitting unit according to claim 6.

10. an optical member that irradiates the excitation light from the excitation light source onto the light conversion layer is installed in the second portion; 7. The vehicle light emitting unit according to claim 6.

11. a lamp housing and a lamp lens that form a space; The vehicle light emitting unit according to any one of claims 6 to 10, which is disposed in the space; a mounting portion disposed in the space; Equipped with the second portion of the substrate of the vehicle light emitting unit is attached to the attachment portion, The light conversion layer of the vehicle light emitting unit irradiates the secondary light toward the lamp lens. A vehicle lamp characterized by:

12. A shielding member is disposed between the optical member of the vehicle light emitting unit and the lamp lens.

12. A vehicle lamp according to claim 11.

Images