Vehicular lighting fixture

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting fixture which includes a light guide body, and in which it looks as if the light guide body is emitting light up to both end parts at the time of lighting fixture lighting, with an inexpensive lighting fixture constitution.SOLUTION: As a light guide body 30, a main light guide part 32 in which a plurality of reflection elements 32As are formed on a rear surface, and first and second sub light guide parts 34U, 34L formed in a columnar shape are arranged so as to extend in a vehicle width direction in a state of being arranged in parallel with the main light guide part 32 being at the center. Also, a pair of first light emitting elements 22A and a pair of second light emitting elements 24 are arranged at two places in a vehicle width direction respectively. Then, as the light guide body 30, it includes: a pair of left and right first light incident parts 36A for allowing emission light from the pair of left and right first light emitting elements 22A to enter the first sub light guide part 34U toward the outside in the vehicle width direction; and a pair of left and right second light incident parts 38 for allowing emission light from the pair of left and right second light emitting elements 24 to enter the second sub light guide part 34L toward the inside in the vehicle width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Vehicle lamps have been known in the past that are configured to totally reflect light from a light source that enters a light guide by a plurality of reflective elements formed on the rear surface, and then emit the light forward of the lamp.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a light guide for such a vehicle lamp that is configured to include a columnar light guide section and has a pair of light-emitting elements arranged near both end faces of the columnar light guide section, so that the light emitted from the pair of light-emitting elements is incident on the columnar light guide section from both end faces. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2024 / 034558 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The vehicle lamp described in the above-mentioned "Patent Document 1" is configured such that a pair of light-emitting elements and a pair of substrates on which they are mounted are arranged near both end faces of the columnar light-guiding portion of the light guide. This makes it difficult to make the light guide appear to emit light up to its end regions when the lamp is turned on, and results in an expensive lamp configuration.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp equipped with a light guide, which has an inexpensive lamp configuration and which allows the light guide to appear to emit light to both ends when the lamp is turned on. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention is intended to achieve the above object by devising the configuration of the light guide and the arrangement of the light source.

[0008] That is, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is A vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source toward a front of the lamp through a light guide, The light guide body has a main light guide section having a plurality of reflecting elements formed on a rear surface thereof, and first and second sub-light guide sections formed in a columnar shape, which are arranged in parallel with each other around the main light guide section so as to extend in a required direction, the light source includes a pair of first light-emitting elements arranged at two positions in the required direction to cause light to enter the first sub-light-guiding section, and a pair of second light-emitting elements arranged at two positions in the required direction to cause light to enter the second sub-light-guiding section, the light guide includes a pair of first light incident portions for allowing light emitted from the pair of first light-emitting elements to enter the first sub-light guide portion, and a pair of second light incident portions for allowing light emitted from the pair of second light-emitting elements to enter the second sub-light guide portion; the pair of first light incident portions are configured to cause the light emitted from the pair of first light emitting elements to be incident on the first sub-light guiding portion in directions away from each other with respect to the required direction, The pair of second light incident sections are characterized in that they are configured to cause the emitted light from the pair of second light-emitting elements to enter the second sub-light-guiding section in directions that move closer to each other in relation to the required direction.

[0009] The above-mentioned "vehicle lamp" is not particularly limited in type as long as it is configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a light guide.

[0010] The "required direction" is not limited to a specific direction, and may be, for example, the vehicle width direction or the up-down direction.

[0011] The "main light guide" is not particularly limited in terms of its specific configuration, as long as a plurality of reflecting elements are formed on the rear surface.

[0012] The "pair of first light incident sections" are not particularly limited in their specific arrangement or shape, as long as they are configured to cause the emitted light from the pair of first light-emitting elements to enter the first sub-light-guiding section in directions that move away from each other in the required direction.

[0013] The "pair of second light incident sections" are not particularly limited in their specific arrangement or shape, as long as they are configured to cause the emitted light from the pair of second light-emitting elements to enter the second sub-light-guiding section in directions that bring them closer to each other in the required direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The vehicle lamp according to the present invention is configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a light guide. The light guide has a main light guide having a plurality of reflective elements formed on its rear surface, and first and second cylindrical sub-light guides that are arranged in parallel around the main light guide and extend in a required direction. The light source includes a pair of first light-emitting elements for directing light into the first sub-light guide and a pair of second light-emitting elements for directing light into the second sub-light guide. Therefore, light emitted from the pair of first light-emitting elements and the pair of second light-emitting elements can be directed into the main light guide via the first and second sub-light guides, thereby making it possible to uniform the amount of light entering each portion of the main light guide.

[0015] Furthermore, the pair of first light-emitting elements and the pair of second light-emitting elements are each arranged at two locations in the required direction, and the light guide includes a pair of first light incident sections and a pair of second light incident sections, and the pair of first light incident sections are formed to cause the light emitted from the pair of first light-emitting elements to enter the first sub-light-guiding section in directions away from each other in the required direction, while the pair of second light incident sections are formed to cause the light emitted from the pair of second light-emitting elements to enter the second sub-light-guiding section in directions approaching each other in the required direction, thereby achieving the following advantageous effects.

[0016] In other words, by configuring the light guide in this manner to include a pair of first light incident portions for making the emitted light from the pair of first light-emitting elements incident on the first sub-light-guiding portion in directions that move away from each other in the required direction, even if the pair of first light-emitting elements are positioned near the center in the required direction, the emitted light can be guided via the first sub-light-guiding portion to both end regions of the main light-guiding portion and then emitted toward the front of the lamp.

[0017] On the other hand, when such a configuration is adopted, the light emitted from the pair of first light-emitting elements and incident on the first sub-light guide through the pair of first light incident portions is difficult to guide to the main light guide in the central region of the light guide. However, as in the present invention, by configuring the light guide to include a pair of second light incident portions that cause the light emitted from the pair of second light-emitting elements to enter the second sub-light guide in directions that approach each other with respect to the required direction, the emitted light can be guided through the second sub-light guide to the central region of the main light guide and emitted toward the front of the lamp.

[0018] This allows the light guide to be configured so that the main light guide portion appears to shine substantially uniformly over the entire length in the required direction.

[0019] Furthermore, by adopting such a configuration, it is possible to concentrate and arrange a pair of first light-emitting elements, a pair of second light-emitting elements, and the substrate on which they are mounted near the center in the required direction, thereby reducing the cost of the vehicle lighting fixture.

[0020] Thus, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp having a light guide, it is possible to make the light guide appear to emit light to both ends when the lamp is turned on, using an inexpensive lamp configuration.

[0021] In the above configuration, if the pair of first light emitting elements and the pair of second light emitting elements are mounted on a common substrate, the cost of the vehicle lamp can be further reduced.

[0022] In this case, if the pair of first light entrance portions and the pair of second light entrance portions are each formed to extend linearly in a front view of the lamp, the light emitted from the pair of first light-emitting elements can be efficiently incident on the first sub-light guide portion in directions away from each other in the required direction, and the light emitted from the pair of second light-emitting elements can be efficiently incident on the second sub-light guide portion in directions toward each other in the required direction. Therefore, the light emitted from the pair of first light-emitting elements can be efficiently guided to both end regions of the main light guide via the pair of first light entrance portions and the first sub-light guide portion, and the light emitted from the pair of second light-emitting elements can be efficiently guided to the central region of the light guide via the pair of second light entrance portions and the second sub-light guide portion. This configuration of the light guide makes the main light guide appear to glow more uniformly along its entire length in the required direction.

[0023] In the above configuration, if a plurality of pairs of first light-emitting elements and a plurality of pairs of first light incident portions are arranged at intervals in the required direction, the amount of light incident on the main light-guiding portion via the first sub-light-guiding portion can be increased, and the main light-guiding portion can be made to appear bright all the way to its end regions.

[0024] In the above configuration, if the main light-guiding section further includes a columnar light-guiding section on which a plurality of reflective elements are formed, and a pair of plate-like light-guiding sections connecting the columnar light-guiding section to the first and second sub-light-guiding sections, the columnar light-guiding section can be made to appear to glow in a long, thin line.

[0025] In this case, if the main light guide section is configured with a plurality of columnar light guide sections arranged in parallel, the light guides can be made to appear to glow in elongated lines in a plurality of rows. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where the lamp is mounted on a vehicle; [Figure 2] Cross section of line II-II in Figure 1 [Figure 3] View in the direction of arrow III in Figure 2 [Figure 4] Enlarged view of part IV in Figure 3 [Figure 5] 1, showing the vehicle lamp in a lit state; FIG. [Figure 6] 2A shows a modification of the above embodiment, and FIG. 2B shows a detailed view of part b in FIG. 2A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] Fig. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where the lamp is mounted on a vehicle, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle lamp 10 of this embodiment is a center lamp that forms part of a tail lamp, and is configured to be attached to a trunk lid 104 that is supported at the rear end of a vehicle 100 so that it can be opened and closed relative to a vehicle body 102.

[0030] Specifically, the vehicle lighting fixture 10 is positioned midway between a pair of left and right side lamps 50 mounted on the vehicle body 102 on both the left and right sides of the trunk lid 104, and together with these pair of left and right side lamps 50 form a tail lamp.

[0031] 1 and 2, the direction indicated by X is the "forward" direction of the vehicular lamp 10 ("rearward" from the vehicle's perspective), the direction indicated by Y is the "rightward" direction of the vehicular lamp 10 ("rightward" from the vehicle's perspective), and the direction indicated by Z is the "upward" direction. This is also true for figures other than FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle lamp 10 has a configuration in which a light source unit 20 and a light guide 30 are incorporated within a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a transparent cover 14 attached to the front end opening of the lamp body 12.

[0033] 1, the vehicle lamp 10 is formed so as to extend elongatedly in the vehicle width direction (i.e., the required direction) across the entire width of the trunk lid 104. The vehicle lamp 10 has a bilaterally symmetrical configuration, and the light source unit 20 is disposed at the center of the trunk lid 104 in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrow III in FIG.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the light source unit 20 is configured to include two pairs of left and right first light-emitting elements 22A, 22B as light sources, a pair of left and right second light-emitting elements 24, and a common substrate 26 on which these elements are mounted.

[0036] The two pairs of left and right first light emitting elements 22A, 22B and the pair of left and right second light emitting elements 24 are each formed of a red light emitting diode having light emitting surfaces 22Aa, 22Ba, 24a of the same shape (for example, square).

[0037] The substrate 26 has a horizontally elongated rectangular outer shape when viewed from the front of the lamp, and is supported by the lamp body 12 in a state in which it is disposed so as to extend along a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the lamp.

[0038] The two pairs of left and right first light-emitting elements 22A, 22B are arranged at the same height in the upper end region of the substrate 26. The pair of left and right first light-emitting elements 22A are arranged symmetrically at a fixed interval in a region near the center in the left-right direction of the substrate 26, and the pair of left and right first light-emitting elements 22B are arranged at positions separated in both left and right directions from the pair of left and right first light-emitting elements 22A. The interval between each of the pair of left and right first light-emitting elements 22A and each of the pair of left and right first light-emitting elements 22B is set to a value larger than the interval between the pair of left and right first light-emitting elements 22A (specifically, a value approximately two to three times larger).

[0039] On the other hand, the pair of left and right second light-emitting elements 24 are arranged at the same height position in the lower end region of the substrate 26. These pair of left and right second light-emitting elements 24 are arranged in a symmetrical positional relationship in regions near both left and right edges of the substrate 26 (i.e., regions located further left and right than the pair of left and right first light-emitting elements 22B).

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, the light guide 30 is formed so as to extend elongatedly in the vehicle width direction on the front side of the lamp from the light source unit 20, and its left and right end edges are formed so as to be positioned at the left and right end edges of the trunk lid 104.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the light guide 30 includes a main light guide portion 32 and a pair of upper and lower first and second sub-light guide portions 34U and 34L.

[0042] The main light guiding section 32 includes two columnar light guiding sections 32A arranged in parallel with a gap in the vertical direction, and plate-shaped light guiding sections 32B arranged between the two columnar light guiding sections 32A and on both the upper and lower sides thereof.

[0043] The two columnar light-guiding sections 32A are formed to have circular cross-sectional shapes of the same size and extend in the vehicle width direction, and a plurality of reflective elements 32As are formed on their rear surfaces. These reflective elements 32As are formed in a stepped pattern in the vehicle width direction, so that light that reaches any of the reflective elements 32As while being guided through the columnar light-guiding sections 32A is totally reflected toward the front of the lamp.

[0044] The first sub-light guide 34U is formed at the upper edge of the light guide 30 to extend cylindrically in the vehicle width direction, and the second sub-light guide 34L is formed at the lower edge of the light guide 30 to extend cylindrically in the vehicle width direction. The first and second sub-light guides 34U and 34L have circular cross-sectional shapes that are smaller than the pillar-shaped light guide 32A. No reflective elements, like the reflective elements 32As formed on the rear surface of the pillar-shaped light guide 32A, are formed on the rear surfaces of the first and second sub-light guides 34U and 34L.

[0045] The light guide 30 includes a pair of left and right first light entrance sections 36A for allowing the light emitted from the pair of left and right first light-emitting elements 22A to enter the first sub-light guide section 34U, a pair of left and right first light entrance sections 36B for allowing the light emitted from the pair of left and right first light-emitting elements 22B to enter the first sub-light guide section 34U, and a pair of left and right second light entrance sections 38 for allowing the light emitted from the pair of left and right second light-emitting elements 24 to enter the second sub-light guide section 34L.

[0046] The pair of left and right first light entrance sections 36A are configured to cause the light emitted from the pair of left and right first light-emitting elements 22A to enter the first sub-light-guiding section 34U while being directed outward in the vehicle width direction (i.e., in directions away from each other in the required direction), as shown by the dashed arrows in Figure 3, and the pair of left and right first light entrance sections 36B are also configured to cause the light emitted from the pair of left and right first light-emitting elements 22B to enter the first sub-light-guiding section 34U while being directed outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0047] On the other hand, the pair of left and right second light incident sections 38 are configured to direct the emitted light from the pair of left and right second light-emitting elements 24 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction (i.e., in directions approaching each other in the required direction), as shown by the dashed arrows in Figure 3, into the second sub-light-guiding section 34L.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 2, the first light incident portion 36A is disposed above the first sub-light guiding portion 34U, with its rear end face 36Aa facing the light-emitting surface 22Aa of the first light-emitting element 22A. The first light incident portion 36A extends in a curved manner from its rear end face 36Aa toward the front of the lamp, and its front end is connected to the first sub-light guiding portion 34U. As shown in Fig. 3, the first light incident portion 36A extends linearly obliquely downward when viewed from the front of the lamp.

[0049] 3, like first light incident portion 36A, first light incident portion 36B is formed to extend linearly in a diagonally downward direction when viewed from the front of the lamp, but its downward inclination angle is set to a smaller value than the downward inclination angle of first light incident portion 36A. Specifically, the downward inclination angle of first light incident portion 36A is set to a value of approximately 20 to 40 degrees, while the downward inclination angle of first light incident portion 36B is set to a value of approximately 10 to 30 degrees.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 2, the second light incident portion 38 is disposed below the second sub-light guide portion 34L, with its rear end face 38a facing the light-emitting surface 24a of the second light-emitting element 24. The second light incident portion 38 is formed to extend in a curved manner from its rear end face 38a toward the front of the lamp, and its front end is connected to the second sub-light guide portion 34L. In this regard, as shown in Fig. 3, the second light incident portion 38 is formed to extend linearly in an obliquely upward direction when viewed from the front of the lamp. Specifically, the upward inclination angle of the second light incident portion 38 is set to a value of approximately 20 to 40 degrees.

[0051] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part IV in FIG.

[0052] 4, light emitted from first light-emitting element 22B enters first light incident portion 36B from rear end surface 36Ba, is guided through first light incident portion 36B, and reaches first sub-light guiding portion 34U. Most of the light that reaches first sub-light guiding portion 34U is totally reflected by its peripheral surface and guided outward in the vehicle width direction, but some of the light reaches main light guiding portion 32.

[0053] The light that reaches the main light-guiding section 32 is totally reflected by the plate-shaped light-guiding section 32B (or directly) and then reaches the upper or lower columnar light-guiding section 32A or the lower columnar light-guiding section 32A, where it is totally reflected by the circumferential surface and guided outward in the vehicle width direction. Then, the light that reaches any of the reflecting elements 32As during this light-guiding process is totally reflected by this reflecting element 32As and emitted from the columnar light-guiding section 32A toward the front of the lamp.

[0054] On the other hand, the light that is guided toward the outside in the vehicle width direction while being totally reflected by the peripheral surface of the first sub-light-guiding portion 34U also reaches the columnar light-guiding portion 32A little by little during the light-guiding process via the plate-shaped light-guiding portion 32B, is guided toward the outside in the vehicle width direction while being totally reflected by the peripheral surface, reaches the reflective element 32As during the light-guiding process, is totally reflected, and is emitted toward the front of the lamp.

[0055] In this way, the light emitted from the first light-emitting element 22A that reaches the first sub-light-guiding section 34U via the first light incident section 36B gradually reaches the main light-guiding section 32 as it is guided outward in the vehicle width direction, and is totally reflected by the reflective element 32As of the columnar light-guiding section 32A and emitted toward the front of the lamp, so that when viewed from the front of the lamp, the columnar light-guiding section 32A appears to glow with approximately uniform brightness all the way to its end region.

[0056] 3, light emitted from the first light-emitting element 22A enters the first light incident portion 36A, which is disposed more inward in the vehicle width direction than the first light incident portion 36B, and reaches the first sub-light guide 34U, causing the columnar light guide 32A of the main light guide 32 to appear to glow more brightly. At this time, because the light incident angles to the first sub-light guide 34U differ between the first and second light incident portions 36A and 36B, the manner in which light is guided in the first sub-light guide 4U also differs, causing the columnar light guide 32A of the main light guide 32 to appear to glow more uniformly all the way to its end regions.

[0057] However, because the light incident from the first and second light incident portions 36A, 36B to the first sub-light guiding portion 34U is directed outward in the vehicle width direction, it is difficult to brightly illuminate the central region in the vehicle width direction of the main light guiding portion 32 (i.e., the region located below the first and second light incident portions 36A, 36B). However, as shown in Fig. 3, the light emitted from the pair of left and right second light-emitting elements 24 is incident on the pair of left and right second light incident portions 38 disposed on the lower edge portion of the light guide 30, and reaches the second sub-light guiding portion 34U as light directed inward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, a sufficient amount of light is also ensured to be emitted from the central region in the vehicle width direction of the columnar light guiding portion 32A of the main light guiding portion 32 toward the front of the lamp.

[0058] 1 and 2, the trunk lid 104 is formed with a strip-shaped gap 104a extending in the vehicle width direction, which covers the upper and lower regions of the light guide 30 and exposes the main light guide 32. Specifically, the upper edge of this gap 104a is located substantially in front of the first sub-light guide 34U, and the lower edge of this gap 104a is located substantially in front of the second sub-light guide 34L.

[0059] 1, the pair of left and right side lamps 50 are configured to irradiate light emitted from light-emitting elements (not shown) arranged at the outer ends in the vehicle width direction toward the front of the lamp via a light guide 60. In this case, similar to the light guide 30 of the vehicle lamp 10, the light guide 60 has, as its main light guide 62, two columnar light guides 62A arranged in parallel with a gap in the vertical direction.

[0060] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the vehicle lamp 10 in a lit state.

[0061] 5, in the tail lamp lighting mode, the vehicle lamp 10 lights up two pairs of first light emitting elements 22A and 22B on the left and right and one pair of second light emitting elements 24 on the left and right that constitute the light source unit 20, causing the light guide 30 to appear to glow. Specifically, the two columnar light guides 32A that constitute the main light guide 32 of the light guide 30 appear to glow in the form of elongated horizontal lines in two upper and lower stages. Each of the two columnar light guides 32A appears to glow brightly and substantially uniformly along its entire length.

[0062] In addition, in the pair of left and right side lamps 50 that are turned on together with the vehicle lamp 10 in the tail lamp lighting mode, the two columnar light guiding portions 62A also appear to shine in elongated horizontal lines in two upper and lower stages.

[0063] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0064] The vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment is configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a light guide 30. The light guide 30 includes a main light guide 32 having a plurality of reflective elements 32As formed on its rear surface, and first and second columnar sub-light guides 34U and 34L, which are arranged in parallel around the main light guide 32 and extend in the vehicle width direction (required direction). The light source includes a pair of first light-emitting elements 22A for directing light into the first sub-light guide 34U and a pair of second light-emitting elements 24 for directing light into the second sub-light guide 34L. Therefore, light emitted from the pair of first light-emitting elements 22A and the pair of second light-emitting elements 24 can be directed into the main light guide 32 via the first and second sub-light guides 34U and 34L, thereby making it possible to uniformize the amount of light entering each portion of the main light guide 32.

[0065] Furthermore, the pair of first light-emitting elements 22A and the pair of second light-emitting elements 24 are each arranged at two locations in the vehicle width direction, and the light guide 30 has a pair of first light incident sections 36A and a pair of second light incident sections 38. The pair of first light incident sections 36A are formed to direct the light emitted from the pair of first light-emitting elements 22A into the first sub-light-guiding section 34U in directions away from each other in the vehicle width direction, while the pair of second light incident sections 38 are formed to direct the light emitted from the pair of second light-emitting elements 24 into the second sub-light-guiding section 34L in directions approaching each other in the vehicle width direction, thereby achieving the following advantageous effects.

[0066] In other words, by configuring the light guide 30 in this manner with a pair of first light incident portions 36A for making the emitted light from the pair of first light-emitting elements 22A enter the first sub-light-guiding portion 34U in directions away from each other in the vehicle width direction, even if the pair of first light-emitting elements 22A are positioned near the center in the vehicle width direction, the emitted light can be guided via the first sub-light-guiding portion 34U to both end regions of the main light-guiding portion 32 and emitted toward the front of the lamp.

[0067] On the other hand, when such a configuration is adopted, the light emitted from the pair of first light-emitting elements 22A, which enters the first sub-light guiding portion 34U from the pair of first light incident portions 36A, is less likely to be guided to the main light guiding portion 32 in the central region of the light guide 30. However, as in the present embodiment, the light guide 30 is configured to include a pair of second light incident portions 38 for causing the light emitted from the pair of second light-emitting elements 24 to enter the second sub-light guiding portion 34L in directions approaching each other in the vehicle width direction, so that the emitted light can be guided via the second sub-light guiding portion 34L to the central region of the main light guiding portion 32 and emitted toward the front of the lamp.

[0068] This allows the light guide 30 to be configured so that the main light guide portion 32 appears to glow approximately uniformly over the entire length in the vehicle width direction.

[0069] Furthermore, by adopting such a configuration, it is possible to concentrate and arrange the pair of first light-emitting elements 22A and the pair of second light-emitting elements 24, as well as the substrate 26 on which they are mounted, near the center in the vehicle width direction, thereby reducing the cost of the vehicle lamp 10.

[0070] Thus, according to this embodiment, in a vehicle lamp 10 equipped with a light guide 30 that guides light emitted from a light source and irradiates it toward the front of the lamp, an inexpensive lamp configuration can be used so that the light guide 30 appears to emit light to both ends when the lamp is turned on.

[0071] Moreover, in this embodiment, since the pair of first light-emitting elements 22A and the pair of second light-emitting elements 24 are mounted on a common substrate, the cost of the vehicle lamp 10 can be further reduced.

[0072] Furthermore, in the light guide 30 of this embodiment, the pair of first light incident portions 36A and the pair of second light incident portions 38 are each formed to extend linearly in a front view of the lamp. This allows the light emitted from the pair of first light-emitting elements 22A to efficiently enter the first sub-light guide 34U in directions away from each other in the vehicle width direction, and the light emitted from the pair of second light-emitting elements 24 to efficiently enter the second sub-light guide 34L in directions toward each other in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the light emitted from the pair of first light-emitting elements 22A can be efficiently guided to both end regions of the main light guide 32 via the pair of first light incident portions 36A and the first sub-light guide 34U, and the light emitted from the pair of second light-emitting elements 24 can be efficiently guided to the central region of the light guide 30 via the pair of second light incident portions 38 and the second sub-light guide 34L. This allows the main light guide portion 32 of the light guide body 30 to appear to shine more uniformly over the entire length in the vehicle width direction.

[0073] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 10 of this embodiment, a pair of first light-emitting elements 22B and a pair of first light incident portions 36B are arranged on both the left and right sides of the pair of first light-emitting elements 22A and the pair of first light incident portions 36A, at a distance in the vehicle width direction from them, so that the amount of light incident on the main light-guiding portion 32 via the first sub-light-guiding portion 34U can be increased, making the main light-guiding portion 32 appear to shine even brighter.

[0074] In this case, the pair of first light incident portions 36B, like the pair of first light incident portions 36A, are formed to direct the emitted light from the pair of first light-emitting elements 22B into the first sub-light-guiding portion 34U in directions away from each other in the vehicle width direction, so that even though the pair of first light-emitting elements 22B are mounted on a common substrate 26 together with the pair of first light-emitting elements 22A and the pair of second light-emitting elements 24, the size of the substrate 26 can be maintained small.

[0075] Furthermore, since the downward inclination angle of the pair of first light incident portions 36B is set to a value smaller than the downward inclination angle of the pair of first light incident portions 36A, the manner in which the light emitted from the pair of first light-emitting elements 22B in the first sub-light-guiding portion 4U is guided can be made different from the manner in which the light emitted from the pair of first light-emitting elements 22A is guided, and this makes it possible for the columnar light-guiding portion 32A of the main light-guiding portion 32 to appear to glow more uniformly all the way to its end regions.

[0076] Furthermore, the light guide 30 of this embodiment has a main light guide 32 configured to include a columnar light guide 32A having a plurality of reflective elements 32As formed thereon, and a pair of plate-like light guides 32B connecting the columnar light guide 32A to the first and second sub-light guides 34U and 34L, so that the columnar light guide 32A appears to glow in a long, thin line.

[0077] Furthermore, the light guide 30 of this embodiment has a main light guide section 32 configured with two columnar light guide sections 32A arranged in parallel, so that the light guide 30 can appear to glow in two rows of elongated lines.

[0078] In the above embodiment, it has been described that a pair of first light-emitting elements 22B and a pair of first light-incident sections 36B are arranged on both the left and right sides of a pair of first light-emitting elements 22A and a pair of first light-incident sections 36A, but it is also possible to have a configuration in which only a pair of first light-emitting elements 22A and a pair of first light-incident sections 36A are arranged, or a configuration in which three or more sets of these are arranged.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the description has been given of the case where one pair of second light emitting elements 24 and one pair of second light incident portions 38 are provided, but it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a plurality of sets of these are arranged.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the vehicle lamp 10 has been described as a center lamp that forms part of a tail lamp, but it may also be configured as a lamp other than this (for example, a center lamp that forms part of a clearance lamp or a high-mounted stop lamp, etc.).

[0081] Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0082] FIG. 6(a) is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a vehicle lamp 110 according to this modified example.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 6(a), the basic configuration of this modification is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the light guide 130 is partially different from that of the above embodiment.

[0084] That is, the light guide 130 of this modified example also includes a main light guide portion 132 and first and second columnar sub-light guide portions 134U, 134L extending in the vehicle width direction at both upper and lower edge portions thereof, but the main light guide portion 132 is formed so as to extend in a flat plate shape along a plane perpendicular to the fore-and-aft direction of the lamp, and a plurality of reflective elements 132s are formed on its rear surface.

[0085] The plurality of reflective elements 132s are formed in a pair of horizontally elongated band-shaped regions extending in the vehicle width direction at intervals in the vertical direction, and are formed two-dimensionally at intervals from one another (for example, in a diagonal lattice pattern).

[0086] FIG. 6(b) is a detailed view of part b in FIG. 6(a).

[0087] As shown in FIG. 6(b), each of the plurality of reflecting elements 132s is configured by a recessed portion having a substantially hemispherical shape formed on the rear surface of the main light guiding section 132.

[0088] In the light guide 130 of this modified example, the light incident from the first light-emitting element 22A through the first light entrance portion 136A and the first sub-light guide portion 134U into the main light guide portion 132 and the light incident from the second light-emitting element 24 through the second light entrance portion 138 and the second sub-light guide portion 134L into the main light guide portion 132 are totally reflected as diffused light by each of the multiple reflective elements 132s and are emitted forward of the lamp.

[0089] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, substantially the same effects as those in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0090] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the configuration of the light guide 130 can be simplified.

[0091] It should be noted that the numerical values ​​shown as the specifications in the above embodiment and its modified examples are merely examples, and it goes without saying that these may be set to different values ​​as appropriate.

[0092] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiment and its modifications, and various other modified configurations can be adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 10, 110 Vehicle lighting fixtures 12 Lamp body 14 Translucent cover 20 Light source unit 22A, 22B First light-emitting element (light source) 22Aa, 22Ba, 24a Light-emitting surface 24 Second light-emitting element (light source) 26 PCB 30, 130 Light guide 32, 132 Main light guide 32A Column light guide 32As, 132s reflector elements 32B Plate-shaped light guide 34L, 134L Second sub-light guide section 34U, 134U First sub-light guide section 36A, 36B, 136A 1st light incidence section 36Aa, 36Ba, 38a rear end surface 38, 138 Second light incidence section 50 Side lamp 60 Light guide 62 Main light guide 62A Columnar light guide 100 vehicles 102 Body 104 Trunk lid 104a Gap

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source toward a front of the lamp through a light guide, The light guide body has a main light guide section having a plurality of reflecting elements formed on a rear surface thereof, and first and second sub-light guide sections formed in a columnar shape, which are arranged in parallel with each other around the main light guide section so as to extend in a required direction, the light source includes a pair of first light-emitting elements arranged at two positions in the required direction to cause light to enter the first sub-light-guiding section, and a pair of second light-emitting elements arranged at two positions in the required direction to cause light to enter the second sub-light-guiding section, the light guide includes a pair of first light incident portions for allowing light emitted from the pair of first light-emitting elements to enter the first sub-light-guiding portion, and a pair of second light incident portions for allowing light emitted from the pair of second light-emitting elements to enter the second sub-light-guiding portion, the pair of first light incident portions are configured to cause the light emitted from the pair of first light-emitting elements to be incident on the first sub-light-guiding portion in directions away from each other with respect to the required direction, The vehicle lamp is characterized in that the pair of second light incident portions are configured to cause the emitted light from the pair of second light-emitting elements to enter the second sub-light-guiding portion in directions in which the emitted light approaches each other with respect to the required direction.

2. the pair of first light-emitting elements and the pair of second light-emitting elements are mounted on a common substrate; 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the pair of first light incident portions and the pair of second light incident portions are each formed so as to extend linearly when the lamp is viewed from the front.

3. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of pairs of the first light emitting elements and the first light incident portions are arranged at intervals in the required direction.

4. 3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the main light-guiding portion comprises a columnar light-guiding portion in which the plurality of reflective elements are formed, and a pair of plate-shaped light-guiding portions connecting the columnar light-guiding portion to the first and second sub-light-guiding portions.

5. 5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 4, wherein the main light-guiding portion is configured such that a plurality of the columnar light-guiding portions are arranged in parallel.

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