Vehicular lighting fixture

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting fixture which includes a first reflector for reflecting light from a light source and a second reflector for design, and which has good appearance.SOLUTION: A vehicular lighting fixture includes: a light source; a first reflector having a first reflection surface; a second reflector having a second reflection surface; a rear housing for supporting the first reflector and the second reflector; and a front housing which is a translucent cover for covering a front surface part of the rear housing so as to store the light source, the first reflector and the second reflector. The first reflector includes a first hole for allowing the light from the light source to pass toward the first reflection surface. The second reflector includes a second hole for projecting a peripheral member facing a rear surface of the second reflector onto the second reflection surface. The vehicular lighting fixture does not include a light source for emitting light toward the second reflection surface by passing the second hole. The second hole is provided so as to form a flow passage of air from the rear housing to the front housing by passing the second hole.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle lamp constituting a front lamp or tail lamp of a vehicle. This vehicle lamp includes a substrate on which a light source is mounted, and a reflector that reflects light from the light source. A convex curved wall portion is provided midway in the vertical height direction or horizontal width direction of a main wall portion that constitutes the reflector, and the main wall portion is divided into two regions with the convex curved wall portion in between. A recess is formed on the back surface of the main wall portion by the convex curved wall portion. The substrate is disposed in this recess. The convex curved wall portion has a plurality of through holes that transmit light emitted from the light source toward the reflective surface of the reflector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-220341 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In some vehicle lamps, a reflector is provided for design purposes but does not reflect light from a light source. Hereinafter, the reflector that reflects light from the light source is referred to as a first reflector, and the reflector for design purposes is referred to as a second reflector. The first reflector, as in the technology of Patent Document 1, has a hole that allows light from the light source to pass through toward the reflective surface. When the first reflector is viewed from the outside, the substrate is reflected on the reflective surface through the hole, making the first reflector appear black. On the other hand, the second reflector does not need to reflect light from the light source, and therefore does not require a hole like the first reflector. When viewed from the outside, the reflective surface of the second reflector itself is seen, making the second reflector appear whitish. Therefore, in a vehicle lamp equipped with a first reflector and a second reflector, the first reflector and the second reflector may have different colors, which may result in an unattractive appearance.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp having a good appearance, which is provided with a first reflector that reflects light from a light source and a second reflector for decorative purposes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle lamp according to one aspect of the present invention includes a light source, a first reflector having a first reflective surface that reflects light from the light source outward, a second reflector having a second reflective surface facing outward, a rear housing supporting the first reflector and the second reflector, and a front housing that is a translucent cover covering a front portion of the rear housing to accommodate the light source, the first reflector, and the second reflector. The first reflector has a first hole that penetrates a front and rear surface of the first reflector and allows light from the light source to pass toward the first reflective surface. The second reflector has a second hole that penetrates a front and rear surface of the second reflector and reflects a peripheral component facing the rear surface of the second reflector onto the second reflective surface. The second reflective surface does not reflect light from the light source. The vehicle lamp does not include a light source that emits light through the second hole toward the second reflective surface. The second hole is provided to form a flow path for air to pass through the second hole from the rear housing to the front housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In the vehicle lamp of the present invention, a hole is provided in the decorative second reflector. The peripheral components are reflected on the reflective surface of the second reflector through this hole, so that the colors of the first reflector and the second reflector can be matched. Since the colors of the first reflector and the second reflector match, the vehicle lamp of the present invention has a good appearance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a first reflector and a second reflector provided in the vehicle lamp of the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Specific examples of the vehicle lamp of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings indicate the same items. For ease of explanation, some components may be exaggerated or simplified in the drawings. The dimensional ratios of the various components in the drawings may differ from the actual ratios. In the drawings, arrow FR indicates the front side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, arrow RR indicates the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, arrow RH indicates the right side in the lateral direction of the vehicle, arrow LH indicates the left side in the lateral direction of the vehicle, arrow UP indicates the upper side in the height direction of the vehicle, and arrow LWR indicates the lower side in the height direction of the vehicle.

[0010] Vehicle lighting fixtures are installed on the left and right sides of the front and rear of the vehicle, but in this example, the vehicle lighting fixture 1 is described as a right-side headlight. At the front of the vehicle, the vehicle lighting fixture installed on the left side is symmetrical to the vehicle lighting fixture 1 installed on the right side.

[0011] <Overall structure> As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment includes a first region 11 and a second region 12. The first region 11 is illuminated outward by a light source 2 shown in FIG. 3. The outward direction is the direction facing the outside of the vehicle. In this example, the outward direction is the front of the vehicle. The second region 12 is provided for decorative purposes and does not illuminate outward. The decorative second region 12 is a dummy region provided mainly to achieve design consistency with the first region 11. The second region 12 includes a second reflector 5 and has a similar appearance to the first region 11, but does not include a light source and does not have the function of illuminating the outside of the vehicle. The vehicle lamp 1 includes a light source 2 and a first reflector 4 shown in FIG. 3, and a second reflector 5 shown in FIG. 4. The first reflector 4 constitutes the first region 11. The second reflector 5 constitutes the second region 12. In this example, the first reflector 4 and the second reflector 5 are adjacent to each other side by side, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1 , an extender 6 is disposed on the outer peripheral edge of the vehicle lamp 1. The extender 6 is a component that mainly determines the external design of the vehicle lamp 1 and is a frame-shaped component provided to collectively surround the peripheries of the first reflector 4 and the second reflector 5. The extender 6 has an upper portion, a lower portion, left and right side portions, and is open at the front. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the extender 6 is disposed to cover the peripheral edges of the first reflector 4 and the second reflector 5. As shown in FIG. 4 , the extender 6 has an upper portion 65 that faces the back surface of the second reflector 5. The back surface of the second reflector 5 is the surface of the second reflector 5 that cannot be seen from outside the vehicle. The front surface of the second reflector 5 is the surface of the second reflector 5 that can be seen from outside the vehicle. Similarly, in the first reflector 4, the back surface is the surface of the first reflector 4 that cannot be seen from outside the vehicle, and the front surface is the surface of the first reflector 4 that can be seen from outside the vehicle.

[0013] 3 and 4, the vehicle lamp 1 includes a rear housing 81 and a front housing 82. The rear housing 81 supports the first reflector 4 and the second reflector 5 from their rear surfaces. The front housing 82 is a translucent cover that covers the front surface of the rear housing 81.

[0014] <Light source> As shown in Fig. 3, the light source 2 is disposed on the rear surface side of the first reflector 4. The light source 2 is disposed so as to face the first reflecting surface 40 of the first reflector 4 through a first hole 45 formed in the first reflector 4. The light source 2 is, for example, a light emitting diode (LED). The light source 2 is mounted on a substrate 3. The substrate 3 is fixed to the rear part of the first reflector 4 with screws 31.

[0015] <First Reflector> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first reflector 4 has a first reflective surface 40 and a first hole 45. The first reflector 4 is configured with an arc-shaped recess. The recess has an upper portion, a lower portion, left and right side portions, and a rear portion, and is open to the front. In this example, the shape of the front opening is rectangular. The shape of the front opening may be circular or elliptical. The inner surface of the recess is the surface of the first reflector 4. The surface of the first reflector 4 is the first reflective surface 40. In this example, the inner surface of the recess is configured with a curved surface in which the inner surface of the lower portion and the inner surface of the rear portion are continuously connected. This curved surface constitutes the first reflective surface 40. The recess is recessed downward and rearward. The first reflective surface 40 reflects light from the light source 2 outward. In this example, the first reflective surface 40 reflects light from the light source 2 located above the first reflective surface 40 outward. The shape of the first reflective surface 40 can be appropriately selected to reflect the light from the light source 2 outward, depending on the position of the light source 2. For example, the first reflecting surface 40 can also reflect light from a light source 2 disposed below the first reflecting surface 40 outward. In this case, the first reflecting surface 40 may be configured as a curved surface in which the inner surface of the upper portion and the inner surface of the rear portion are continuously connected. With such a curved surface, the recess is recessed upward and backward. The first reflecting surface 40 is configured from a metal film capable of reflecting light with a high reflectance. The metal film is, for example, an aluminum vapor deposition film.

[0016] The first hole 45 is a hole that penetrates the front and back surfaces of the first reflector 4. The first hole 45 allows light from the light source 2 to pass through toward the first reflecting surface 40. In FIG. 3 , an example of the path of light from the light source 2 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. In this example, the first hole 45 is provided at the rear of the upper part of the first reflector 4. The position of the first hole 45 can be appropriately selected depending on the position of the light source 2. For example, the first hole 45 may be provided at the lower part of the first reflector 4, allowing light from the light source 2 to pass from bottom to top toward the first reflecting surface 40. The first hole 45 may be provided at the side of the first reflector 4, allowing light from the light source 2 to pass from left to right or from right to left toward the first reflecting surface 40. The light from the light source 2 that passes through the first hole 45 is reflected forward by the first reflecting surface 40.

[0017] The size and shape of the first hole 45 can be selected appropriately as long as it can pass light from the light source 2. In this example, the shape of the first hole 45 is rectangular. The shape of the first hole 45 may be circular or trapezoidal.

[0018] The substrate 3 is also reflected on the first reflecting surface 40 through the first hole 45. In FIG. 3, the reflection of the substrate 3 on the first reflecting surface 40 after passing through the first hole 45 is schematically shown by a dashed line. When the substrate 3 is reflected on the first reflecting surface 40, the first region 11 shown in FIG. 1 appears to have a color corresponding to the substrate 3 when viewed from the outside. Viewing the first region 11 from the outside means viewing from the outside to the inside of the vehicle, which in this example means viewing from the front, and viewing from the left to the right of the dashed line extending in the left-right direction shown in FIG.

[0019] The first hole 45 also has the function of convection of air within the vehicle lamp 1. When the first hole 45 has the function of convection, an air flow path from the rear housing 81 to the front housing 82 is secured, facilitating convection of air within the vehicle lamp 1. By convection of air within the vehicle lamp 1, it is possible to prevent, for example, the front housing 82 and the first reflecting surface 40 from fogging up.

[0020] The first reflector 4 is supported on the rear housing 81 via a back plate 7. For example, a motor (not shown) is attached to the back plate 7. The first reflector 4 can be tilted up and down or left and right by the motor.

[0021] <Second Reflector> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , the second reflector 5 has a second reflective surface 50 and a second hole 55. The second reflector 5 is configured as an arc-shaped recess. The recess has an upper portion, a lower portion, left and right side portions, and a rear portion, and is open at the front. In this example, the shape of the front opening is rectangular. The shape of the front opening may be circular or elliptical. The inner surface of the recess is the surface of the second reflector 5. The surface of the second reflector 5 is the second reflective surface 50. In this example, the inner surface of the recess is configured as a curved surface in which the inner surface of the lower portion and the inner surface of the rear portion are continuously connected. This curved surface constitutes the second reflective surface 50. The recess is recessed downward and backward. The second reflective surface 50 may also be configured as a curved surface in which the inner surface of the upper portion and the inner surface of the rear portion are continuously connected. With such a curved surface, the recess is recessed upward and backward. Side portions are arranged between the first reflector 4 and the second reflector 5, forming a partition wall. This partition ensures that light from the light source 2 is incident only into the recess of the first reflector 4, and not into the recess of the second reflector 5. The second reflecting surface 50 is made of the same metal film as the first reflecting surface 40. Light from the light source is not irradiated onto the second reflecting surface 50. The second reflecting surface 50 does not reflect light from the light source outward. The second reflector 5 is arranged for design purposes. In this example, the second reflector 5 is smaller than the first reflector 4.

[0022] The second holes 55 are holes that penetrate the front and back surfaces of the second reflector 5. The second holes 55 reflect peripheral components facing the back surface of the second reflector 5 onto the second reflective surface 50. The peripheral components are components of the vehicle lamp 1 and are arranged on the back surface of the second reflector 5. An example of the peripheral component is the upper part 65 of the extend 6. In FIG. 4, the peripheral components, which are reflected on the second reflective surface 50 through the second holes 55, are schematically shown by dashed lines. When the upper part 65 is reflected on the second reflective surface 50 through the second holes 55, the second region 12 shown in FIG. 1 appears to have a color corresponding to the extend 6 when viewed from the outside. Viewing the second region 12 from the outside means viewing from the outside to the inside of the vehicle, which in this example means viewing from the front, and viewing from the left to right of the dashed line extending in the left-right direction shown in FIG. 4.

[0023] The size and shape of the second hole 55 can be selected as appropriate as long as the peripheral members can be reflected on the second reflecting surface 50. In this example, the shape of the second hole 55 is trapezoidal. The shape of the second hole 55 may be circular or rectangular. The second hole 55 may also be a slit-shaped hole.

[0024] The position of the second hole 55 can be selected as appropriate within a range that allows the peripheral members to be reflected on the second reflecting surface 50. In this example, the second hole 55 is located above the second reflecting surface 50. The second hole 55 may be located below the second reflecting surface 50, or may be located to the left or right of the second reflecting surface 50. The number of second holes 55 may be one or more. When multiple second holes 55 are provided, the multiple second holes 55 may be provided close to each other or may be provided far apart.

[0025] The second hole 55 has the function of convecting air within the vehicle lamp 1. The rear housing 81 is provided with a hole 810 that connects the inside and outside of the vehicle lamp 1. The second hole 55 is provided, for example, near the hole 810. The provision of the second hole 55 ensures an air flow path from the rear housing 81 to the front housing 82, facilitating convection of air within the vehicle lamp 1. Convection of air within the vehicle lamp 1 can prevent, for example, the front housing 82 and the second reflecting surface 50 from fogging up. A cylindrical protrusion is provided on the outer periphery of the hole 810 in the rear housing 81. A cap 9, which typically has a labyrinth structure, is attached to this protrusion. The cap 9 prevents water from entering the vehicle lamp 1 while allowing air to circulate inside and outside the vehicle lamp 1.

[0026] The second reflector 5 is supported on the rear housing 81 via the back plate 7. The second reflector 5 can be tilted up and down or left and right by a motor. In this example, the first reflector 4 and the second reflector 5 are integral with each other, and move in conjunction with each other.

[0027] <Action and effect> In the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the substrate 3 is reflected on the first reflective surface 40 through the first hole 45, and the upper portion 65 of the extended portion 6 is reflected on the second reflective surface 50 through the second hole 55. The substrate 3 reflected on the first reflective surface 40 through the first hole 45 appears black. Therefore, when the first region 11 shown in FIG. 1 is viewed from the outside, the first region 11 formed by the first reflector 4 appears black due to the substrate 3 reflected on the first reflective surface 40. The upper portion 65 reflected on the second reflective surface 50 through the second hole 55 also appears black. When the second region 12 shown in FIG. 1 is viewed from the outside, the second region 12 formed by the second reflector 5 also appears black due to the upper portion 65 reflected on the second reflective surface 50. The substrate 3 and the upper portion 65 appear black because they are located on the back surfaces of the reflectors 4 and 5, which are dark areas. If the extended portion 6 has a blackish color, the upper portion 65 reflected on the second reflective surface 50 appears even blacker. As a result, the colors of the first reflector 4 and the second reflector 5 match. When the colors match, the overall appearance of the vehicle lamp 1 is good.

[0028] In the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, air inside the vehicle lamp 1 is convected through the second hole 55 effectively.

[0029] In the vehicle lamp 1 of the embodiment, the second hole 55 has both a color adjustment function and a convection function. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 1 of the embodiment, an increase in cost, a large increase in weight, and a decrease in productivity are suppressed compared to when a hole with a color adjustment function and a hole with a convection function are separately provided.

[0030] The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. For example, the following modifications are possible.

[0031] (1) The number of reflectors can be selected as appropriate. The vehicle lamp 1 may include a plurality of first reflectors 4, or may include a plurality of second reflectors 5. When a plurality of first reflectors 4 are provided, a plurality of light sources 2 are provided corresponding to the plurality of first reflectors 4. In other words, one light source 2 is associated with one first reflector 4. The plurality of first reflectors 4 may be arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the vehicle, or may be arranged vertically in the height direction of the vehicle.

[0032] (2) The position of the second reflector 5 can be selected appropriately. When the first reflector 4 and the second reflector 5 are arranged side by side as shown in Fig. 2, the second reflector 5 may be located inside or outside in the left-right direction of the vehicle. When the first reflector 4 and the second reflector 5 are arranged vertically, the second reflector 5 may be located on the upper or lower side in the height direction of the vehicle.

[0033] (3) The peripheral member reflected on the second reflecting surface 50 of the second reflector 5 may be a member other than the extender 6. The peripheral member may be a part of the rear housing 81, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1 Vehicle lighting fixtures 11 First area, 12 Second area 2 light source 3 boards, 31 screws 4 First Reflector 40 First reflective surface, 45 First hole 5 Second reflector 50 Second reflective surface, 55 Second hole 6 extension, 65 upper 7 Backplate 81 rear housing, 810 holes 82 Front housing 9 Cap

Claims

[Claim 1] A light source and a first reflector having a first reflecting surface that reflects light from the light source outward; a second reflector having the outwardly facing second reflecting surface; a rear housing supporting the first reflector and the second reflector; a front housing that is a light-transmitting cover that covers a front surface of the rear housing so as to accommodate the light source, the first reflector, and the second reflector; the first reflector has a first hole that penetrates through a front and rear surface of the first reflector and allows light from the light source to pass through toward the first reflecting surface; the second reflector has a second hole that penetrates the front and rear surfaces of the second reflector and reflects a peripheral member facing the rear surface of the second reflector onto the second reflecting surface, the second reflecting surface does not reflect light from the light source, The optical fiber does not include a light source that emits light through the second hole toward the second reflecting surface, The second hole is provided to form a flow path for air to pass through the second hole from the rear housing to the front housing. Vehicle lighting fixtures.

Images