Vehicle lamp

Abstract

To ensure an appropriate illumination state according to a shape while maintaining high designability.SOLUTION: A vehicle lamp comprises a plurality of reflectors to reflect light emitted from a light source, and an inner lens with an incident surface and an emission surface, the inner lens including a plurality of condensation steps that are formed on the incident surface to control the reflected light from the reflectors, and a plurality of light transmission parts and non-transmission parts with lower transmittance than the light transmission parts, both of which are formed on the emission surface. The reflected light from the reflectors is made incident to the plurality of condensation steps, and the inner lens is curved such that the emission surface faces laterally as the inner lens extends toward an outer side in a lateral direction of a vehicle. The plurality of reflectors is arranged side by side at positions facing the incident surface, and a traveling direction of the reflected light made incident to the condensation steps is inclined laterally with respect to a longitudinal direction. The farther a reflector is positioned outward in the lateral direction of the vehicle, the greater the inclination angle of the traveling direction with respect to the longitudinal direction in the reflected light.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technical field of a vehicle lamp in which light emitted from a light source is controlled and irradiated by an inner lens. [Background technology]

[0002] Some vehicle lamps have a light source that emits light located inside a lamp outer casing made up of a cover and a lamp housing, and the light emitted from the light source is controlled by a light control member and irradiated toward the outside (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1, a cover is used as a light control member, and a polarizing optical film is attached to a part of the inner surface of the cover.

[0004] By adopting a configuration including such an optical film, the traveling direction of light emitted from the light source is changed by the optical film, and various appearances can be seen according to changes in the angle of incidence of the light and changes in the viewing angle of an observer viewing the vehicle lamp from the outside, thereby improving the design. In addition, when the light source is not lit, the sense of depth is emphasized, making it possible to improve the design even when the light source is not lit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-151311 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in recent years, vehicle lighting fixtures are often formed into curved shapes as a whole due to the diversification of vehicle body shapes and the need to ensure high design quality, and it is necessary to ensure that the light is irradiated in an appropriate state according to the shape.

[0007] Therefore, even in the vehicle lamps in which the design has been improved as described above, it is desirable to ensure a high level of design while also ensuring an appropriate illumination state of light according to the shape.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the vehicle lamp of the present invention is to ensure a high level of design while also ensuring an appropriate illumination state of light according to the shape. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The vehicle lamp of the present invention comprises a plurality of reflectors that reflect light emitted from a light source, an inner lens having an entrance surface and an exit surface, on which a plurality of focusing steps that control the light reflected by the reflectors are formed, and on which a plurality of light-transmitting portions and non-transmitting portions having a lower light transmittance than the light-transmitting portions are formed on the exit surface, the light reflected by the reflectors is incident on the plurality of focusing steps, the inner lens is curved so that the exit surface faces sideways as it moves towards the outside of the vehicle in the left-right direction, the plurality of reflectors are arranged side by side in positions opposite to the entrance surface, the direction of travel of the reflected light reflected by the reflectors and incident on the focusing steps is inclined left-right with respect to the fore-and-aft direction, and the inclination angle of the direction of travel of the reflected light with respect to the fore-and-aft direction is larger for reflectors that are positioned further out of the vehicle in the left-right direction.

[0010] As a result, the reflected light travels at a larger inclination angle the further outward the reflector is positioned on the left and right side of the vehicle, and as it moves further outward on the left and right side of the vehicle, the reflected light is incident on the focusing step of the inner lens, which is curved so that the exit surface faces sideways, and is transmitted through the light-transmitting section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the reflected light travels at a larger inclination angle the further outward the reflector is positioned on the vehicle in the left-right direction, and as it moves further outward from the vehicle in the left-right direction, the reflected light enters the focusing step of the inner lens, which is curved so that the exit surface faces sideways, and is transmitted through the light-transmitting section, thereby ensuring high design quality and appropriate light irradiation conditions according to the shape. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 2 to 8 show an embodiment of the vehicle lamp of the present invention, and this figure is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle lamp. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing the path of light emitted from a light source in a vertical cross section. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the inner lens. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the path of light reflected by a reflector in a horizontal cross section. [Figure 5] 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the direction of travel of light reflected by a reflector. FIG. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating states that occur depending on the traveling direction of reflected light, the direction of the light-collecting steps, and the like. [Figure 7] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of a method for setting the shape of a light collection step and the like. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which light transmitting portions arranged in a stripe pattern and cylindrical steps are formed as light collecting steps. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] In the following, the front, rear, up, down, left and right directions will be described assuming that the direction of light emitted from the vehicle lamp is the front. However, the front, rear, up, down, left and right directions shown below are for the convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not limited to these directions in terms of implementation.

[0015] The vehicle lamp 1 comprises a lamp housing 2 having an opening at the front end and a cover 3 that closes the opening of the lamp housing 2 (see Figure 1). The lamp housing 2 and the cover 3 form a lamp outer casing 4. The vehicle lamp 1 as a whole is curved so that it displaces rearward as it moves outward from the vehicle in the left-right direction.

[0016] The lamp housing 2 has a horizontally elongated shape and is curved overall so that it displaces rearward as it moves outward in the left-right direction of the vehicle. The lamp housing 2 has a mounting recess 2a that is open to the front and top. The rear portion of the mounting recess 2a of the lamp housing 2 is provided as a mounting portion 5. The left and right portions of the mounting recess 2a of the lamp housing 2 are provided as side wall portions 6, and the lower portion of the mounting recess 2a is provided as a base portion 7.

[0017] A lamp unit 8 is disposed inside the lamp housing 4. The lamp unit 8 has a plurality of substrates 9, a reflector 10, and an inner lens 11.

[0018] For example, nine substrates 9 are provided and attached to the heat sinks 12. The heat sinks 12 are formed in the shape of plates facing up and down, and for example, three substrates 9 are provided and attached by screws or the like to the upper surface of the mounting portion 5 of the lamp housing 2. For example, three substrates 9 are attached to the upper surface of one heat sink 12. The rear end of each substrate 9 is attached to the mounting portion 5, and the portion other than the rear end is positioned so that it protrudes forward from the mounting portion 5.

[0019] The numbers of substrates 9 and heat sinks 12 are not limited to nine and three, respectively, and may be one or more.

[0020] A light source 13 is mounted on the lower surface of the substrate 9. For example, a light emitting diode (LED) is used as the light source 13. For example, one light source 13 is mounted on each substrate 9.

[0021] The reflector 10 is configured by integrally forming a plurality of reflectors 14, and is formed into a curved shape that displaces rearward as it moves outward from the vehicle in the left-right direction as a whole. The plurality of reflectors 14 are positioned in a state of being lined up in the approximately left-right direction. The reflector 14 is formed into a shape that opens forward or diagonally forward to the side, and the inner surface is formed as a reflective surface 14a. The reflective surface 14a has the function of reflecting incident light as parallel light.

[0022] As described above, by forming multiple reflectors 14 integrally and configuring them as a reflector 10, the number of parts in the vehicle lamp 1 can be reduced, and the positional accuracy of the reflector 14 relative to the inner lens 11 can be improved, ensuring high accuracy in the direction of travel of the light reflected by the reflector 14.

[0023] The opening direction of the plurality of reflectors 14 becomes more lateral as it goes outward in the left-right direction of the vehicle. Therefore, the opening direction of the reflector 14 located furthest inward of the vehicle (closest to the center of the vehicle) in the left-right direction is directed forward or close to the front, and the opening direction of the reflector 14 located furthest outward of the vehicle in the left-right direction is directed closest to the side (left or right).

[0024] The reflector 10 is attached to the lamp housing 2 while being placed in the placement recess 2a. When the reflector 10 is attached to the lamp housing 2, the reflecting surfaces 14a are positioned below the light sources 13 mounted on the substrate 9 (see FIG. 2). Therefore, the light emitted from the light sources 13 is reflected by the reflecting surfaces 14a and converted into parallel light.

[0025] The inner lens 11 is shaped like a horizontally long plate and is curved so as to be displaced rearward in the left-right direction as it moves outward from the vehicle. For example, both left and right ends of the inner lens 11 are attached to the front surfaces of the side wall portions 6 of the lamp housing 2. The rear surface of the inner lens 11 is formed as an incident surface 15, and the front surface is formed as an exit surface 16 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0026] Since the inner lens 11 is curved so as to be displaced rearward as it goes outward in the left-right direction of the vehicle, the plurality of reflectors 14 of the reflector 10 are arranged side by side at positions facing the incident surface 15.

[0027] A plurality of light-collecting steps 17 are formed on the incident surface 15. The light-collecting steps 17 are, for example, fisheye steps, and a large number of the light-collecting steps 17 are arranged, for example, vertically and horizontally, in a grid pattern. Light incident on the light-collecting steps 17 is controlled and collected by the light-collecting steps 17 and directed toward the light-exiting surface 16. The light-collecting steps 17 are formed in a shape that protrudes backward.

[0028] A plurality of light-transmitting portions 18 and non-transmitting portions 19 are formed on the light-emitting surface 16 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The light-transmitting portions 18 and non-transmitting portions 19 are formed, for example, by attaching a film having a large number of holes or by printing. The non-transmitting portions 19 have a lower light transmittance than the light-transmitting portions 18 and are, for example, painted a dark color such as black. When the light-transmitting portions 18 and non-transmitting portions 19 are formed by attaching a film, the hole portions of the film are the light-transmitting portions 18, and the portions other than the holes are the non-transmitting portions 19. When the light-transmitting portions 18 and non-transmitting portions 19 are formed by printing, the portions printed in a dark color are the non-transmitting portions 19, and the portions other than the non-transmitting portions 19 are the light-transmitting portions 18. The light-transmitting portions 18 and non-transmitting portions 19 may be formed by painting the entire front surface of the inner lens 11 in black or other color and then partially peeling off the paint by laser etching or the like. In this case, the portion where the paint has been peeled off is made into a light-transmitting portion 18 and the portion other than the light-transmitting portion 18 is made into a non-transmitting portion 19 .

[0029] In this way, the non-transparent portion 19 functions as a light-blocking portion that blocks light when it is made dark, so that the internal structure of the vehicle lamp 1 is blocked by the non-transparent portion 19, making it difficult to see the internal structure of the vehicle lamp 1 when it is not lit, thereby improving the design of the vehicle lamp 1.

[0030] The non-transmitting portion 19 does not have to have a light blocking rate of 100%, but only needs to have a lower light transmittance than the light-transmitting portion 18. The color of the non-transmitting portion 19 is not limited to a dark color, and for example, by making the non-transmitting portion 19 a color similar to the painted color of the vehicle exterior, the design of the entire vehicle can be improved.

[0031] The light transmitting portions 18 are formed in, for example, a rectangular or circular shape. However, the shape of the light transmitting portions 18 may be other shapes than rectangular or circular. The multiple light transmitting portions 18 are, for example, arranged vertically and horizontally in a lattice pattern, and the same number of light transmitting portions 18 as the number of light collecting steps 17 are formed in front of each of the light collecting steps 17.

[0032] A frame-shaped extension 20 is disposed inside the lamp outer casing 4 between the inner lens 11 and the cover 3 (see FIG. 1). The extension 20 is curved so as to be displaced rearward as it moves outward from the vehicle in the left-right direction, and has the function of shielding part of the internal structure of the vehicle lamp 1. Specifically, the extension 20 covers the outer periphery of the light exit surface 16 of the inner lens 11 from the front side.

[0033] In the vehicle lamp 1 configured as described above, when light is emitted from the light source 13, the emitted light is reflected by the reflecting surface 14a of the reflector 14, and the reflected light S is incident as parallel light on the light-collecting step 17 of the inner lens 11 (see FIGS. 2 and 4). The reflected light S incident on the light-collecting step 17 is collected by the light-collecting step 17, and for example, the light-collecting point T coincides with the center point M of the light-transmitting portion 18 formed on the emission surface 16 (see FIGS. 2 to 4). The light collected by the light-collecting step 17 is transmitted through the cover 3 and irradiated toward the outside.

[0034] The light-converging point T does not necessarily have to coincide with the center point M of the light-transmitting portion 18, but may coincide with any position of the light-transmitting portion 18.

[0035] In the vehicle lamp 1, a plurality of light-transmitting sections 18 are arranged, for example, vertically and horizontally in a grid pattern, with the same number of light-transmitting sections 18 formed in front of each light-transmitting step 17, so that light that has been focused and controlled by each light-transmitting step 17 is emitted from each light-transmitting section 18.

[0036] The light emitted from the light transmitting portion 18 is irradiated at a predetermined angle P in the vertical direction and at a predetermined angle Q in the horizontal direction (see FIGS. 2 and 4). Therefore, the light is irradiated over a wide area. Note that the angles P and Q can be set to desired values ​​depending on the shape (curvature) and size of the focusing step 17.

[0037] As described above, the light controlled by the light collecting step 17 is collected and emitted from the light transmitting portion 18 to be irradiated to the outside, and the light emitted from the light source 13 and reflected by the reflective surface 14a is irradiated to the outside from the light transmitting portion 18 without reaching the non-transmitting portion 19, thereby improving the emission efficiency. Also, the non-transmitting portion 19 shields the structure arranged behind the inner lens 11, making it difficult to see the structure arranged behind the inner lens 11 from the light transmitting portion 18, thereby improving the design of the vehicle lamp 1 when it is not lit and when it is seen from the outside. As a result, the vehicle lamp 1 ensures high light emission efficiency and also improves the design when it is not lit.

[0038] In the vehicle lamp 1, as described above, the inner lens 11 is curved so as to be displaced rearward as it moves outward from the vehicle in the left-right direction, and the multiple reflectors 14 are arranged side by side in a position opposite the incident surface 15, with the opening direction being oriented to become more lateral as it moves outward from the vehicle in the left-right direction.

[0039] By configuring the vehicle lamp 1 in this manner, the direction of travel of the reflected light S reflected by the reflector 14 and incident on the focusing step 17 is tilted left and right relative to the fore-and-aft direction, and the tilt angle of the direction of travel of the reflected light S relative to the fore-and-aft direction is larger for reflectors 14 positioned further outward from the vehicle in the left and right direction, as follows (see Figure 5).

[0040] For example, taking three reflectors 14 as an example, reflectors 14A, 14B, and 14C are positioned in this order from the inside (center) of the vehicle to the outside in the left-right direction, and the directions of reflected light SA, reflected light SB, and reflected light SC are all tilted left-right with respect to the fore-and-aft direction FR. In this case, if the inclination angle between the direction of reflected light SA and the fore-and-aft direction FR is RA, the inclination angle between the direction of reflected light SB and the fore-and-aft direction FR is RB, and the inclination angle between the direction of reflected light SC and the fore-and-aft direction FR is RC, then the inclination angle RB is greater than the inclination angle RA, and the inclination angle RC is greater than the inclination angle RB.

[0041] In the reflector 14 positioned at the innermost (central) position of the vehicle in the left-right direction, the traveling direction of the reflected light S may be set to coincide with the front-rear direction FR.

[0042] As described above, in the vehicle lamp 1, the inner lens 11 is curved so as to be displaced rearward as it moves outward from the vehicle in the left-right direction, and the direction of reflected light S in the multiple reflectors 14 is tilted left-right relative to the front-to-rear direction, with the tilt angle R being larger for reflectors 14 positioned further outward from the vehicle in the left-right direction.

[0043] On the other hand, in a configuration having an inner lens 11 that is curved so as to displace rearward as it moves outward from the vehicle in the left-right direction, if the direction of travel of all reflected light S is aligned with the front-to-rear direction FR, there is a risk of problems such as light leakage occurring depending on the protruding direction of the focusing step 17 (see the top row of Figure 6) or the light emission range becoming narrower (see the middle row of Figure 6).

[0044] However, when the inclination angle R is made large enough for a reflector 14 positioned outside the vehicle in the left-right direction, as in the vehicle lamp 1, light can be emitted toward the required emission range without causing problems such as light leakage or a narrow light emission range (see the lower part of Figure 6).

[0045] An example of a method for setting the shape and the like of the light-collecting step 17 will be described below (see FIG. 7).

[0046] (a) First, a desired emission direction D and a necessary emission range E are determined for the light emitted from the emission surface 16 of the inner lens 11. At this time, the emission position F of the light on the emission surface 16 is aligned with the center point M of the light transmitting portion 18.

[0047] (b) Next, the tangent G and normal H of the exit surface 16 at the exit position F are determined.

[0048] (c) Next, taking into consideration the traveling direction of the reflected light S reflected by the reflector 14, the protruding direction and shape of the light-collecting step 17 are determined based on the tangent line G and the normal line H so that the light emitted from the emission position F will be in the emission direction D and emission range E determined in (a). At this time, it is desirable that the emission position F of the light on the emission surface 16 coincides with the center point M of the light-transmitting portion 18, but the emission position F may also coincide with a position other than the center point M of the light-transmitting portion 18.

[0049] (d) The shape and position of each light-collecting step 17 are determined so that the emission direction D and emission range E determined in (a) to (c) are achieved at each emission position F on the emission surface 16. Note that FR shown in the figure is an imaginary line indicating the front-to-rear direction.

[0050] As described above, in the vehicle lamp 1, the light reflected by the reflector 14 is incident on the plurality of focusing steps 17, and the inner lens 11 is curved so that the exit surface 16 faces sideways as it moves outward from the vehicle in the left-right direction, so that the direction of travel of the reflected light S reflected by the reflector 14 is inclined left-right relative to the front-to-rear direction, and the inclination angle R of the reflected light S is larger for reflectors 14 positioned further outward from the vehicle in the left-right direction.

[0051] Therefore, the reflected light S travels at an inclination angle R that is larger for reflectors 14 positioned further out from the vehicle in the left-right direction, and as it travels further out from the vehicle in the left-right direction, the reflected light is incident on the focusing step 17 of the inner lens 11, which is curved so that the exit surface 16 faces sideways, and is transmitted through the light-transmitting section 18, thereby ensuring high design quality and appropriate light irradiation conditions according to the shape.

[0052] Furthermore, fisheye steps are formed as the light-collecting steps 17, and a plurality of light-transmitting portions 18 are arranged in a lattice pattern, so that light controlled by one light-collecting step 17 is transmitted through one light-transmitting portion 18.

[0053] Therefore, each light beam controlled and collected by the fisheye step is transmitted through the light transmitting portion 18, so that light collection control is easy and desired light can be irradiated to the outside.

[0054] In addition, it is possible to reduce the total area of ​​the multiple light-transmitting sections 18 relative to the exit surface 16, making it difficult to see the internal structure of the vehicle lamp 1 when it is not lit, thereby further improving the design.

[0055] The vehicle lamp 1 may be configured so that light controlled by a plurality of light-collecting steps 17 is transmitted through one light-transmitting portion 18. In this case, it is possible to reduce the number of light-transmitting portions 18 and reduce the total area of ​​the light-transmitting portions 18, making it even more difficult to see the internal structure of the vehicle lamp 1 when it is not lit, and further improving the design.

[0056] Furthermore, since the focusing point T of the light controlled by the focusing step 17 is aligned with the center point M of the light-transmitting portion 18, the light controlled by the focusing step 17 is focused at the center point M of the light-transmitting portion 18. Therefore, regardless of the positional accuracy of the reflector 14 and the inner lens 11 or the size of the light-transmitting portion 18, no loss of light is generated as it passes through the light-transmitting portion 18, and a sufficient amount of light can be irradiated to the outside.

[0057] Although the above describes an example of the light transmitting portions 18 formed in a rectangular or circular shape, the light transmitting portions 18 may be arranged, for example, in stripes aligned in a predetermined direction (see FIG. 8). When the light transmitting portions 18 are formed in such a shape, it is desirable to form, as the light collecting steps 17, cylindrical steps positioned on the rear side of the light transmitting portions 18, for example.

[0058] By forming cylindrical steps as the light-collecting steps 17, the reflected light incident on the light-collecting steps 17 is collected by the light-collecting steps 17, transmitted through the light-transmitting portions 18, and irradiated to the outside.

[0059] In this way, cylindrical steps are formed as the light-collecting steps 17, and multiple light-transmitting sections 18 are arranged in a striped pattern. Light controlled by one light-collecting step 17 is transmitted through one light-transmitting section 18, and the light controlled and collected by the cylindrical steps is transmitted through each light-transmitting section 18, making it easy to control the light collection and enabling the desired light to be irradiated to the outside. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1 Vehicle lighting fixtures 11 Inner lens 13 Light source 14 Reflector 15 Entrance plane 16. Exit surface 17 Light collection step 18 Light transmission part 19 Non-transparent part

Claims

1. a plurality of reflectors that reflect light emitted from the light source; an inner lens having an incident surface and an exit surface, wherein a plurality of light-collecting steps for controlling light reflected by the reflector are formed on the incident surface, and a plurality of light-transmitting portions and non-transmitting portions having a light transmittance lower than that of the light-transmitting portions are formed on the exit surface; The light reflected by the reflector is incident on the plurality of light collecting steps, The inner lens is curved so that the light exit surface faces laterally as it goes outward in the left-right direction of the vehicle, A plurality of the reflectors are arranged side by side at positions facing the incident surface, The traveling direction of the reflected light reflected by the reflector and incident on the light collecting step is inclined in the left-right direction with respect to the front-back direction, The inclination angle of the travel direction of the reflected light with respect to the front-rear direction is increased as the reflector is positioned further outward in the left-right direction of the vehicle. Vehicle lighting fixtures.

2. a fish-eye step is formed as the focusing step, The plurality of light transmitting portions are arranged in a grid pattern, The light controlled by one of the light collecting steps is transmitted through one of the light transmitting portions.

2. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

3. a cylindrical step is formed as the light-collecting step, A plurality of the light transmitting portions are arranged in a stripe pattern, The light controlled by one of the light collecting steps is transmitted through one of the light transmitting portions.

2. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

4. The light focusing step controls the light focusing point to coincide with the center point of the light transmitting portion.

4. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3.

5. The non-transmitting portion is formed as a light-shielding portion that blocks light.

4. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3.

6. A plurality of the reflectors are integrally formed to form a reflector.

4. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3.

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