Vehicle lamp

Abstract

To provide a lighting fixture for a vehicle capable of downsizing while securing an emission region of an emission part.SOLUTION: The vehicle lamp includes a light source, a substrate on which the light source is mounted, a lens on which light emitted from the light source is incident and which transmits the light and emits the light forward, and a housing that accommodates the substrate and holds the lens. The lens has a central region including an emission portion that emits light emitted from the light source forward, and a peripheral region located around the central region. The peripheral zone of the lens is inclined towards the rear. The lens has a boss portion extending rearwardly from the rear surface of the peripheral region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle lamp including a light source, a substrate on which the light source is mounted, a lens through which light emitted from the light source enters and passes and exits forward, and a housing for holding the lens. The lens has a mounting portion attached to the housing that extends in the left-right and up-down directions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 065030 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle lamp that can be made smaller while ensuring an emission area of ​​the emission section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A vehicle lamp according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: A light source and a substrate on which the light source is mounted; a lens into which light emitted from the light source enters, passes through the lens, and exits forward; a housing that houses the substrate and holds the lens; It is equipped with the lens has a central region including an emission portion that emits light emitted from the light source forward, and a peripheral region located around the central region, the peripheral region of the lens is tapered posteriorly; The lens has a boss portion extending rearward from the rear surface of the peripheral region. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp that can be made compact while ensuring the emission area of ​​the emission section. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a plurality of elements that constitute the vehicle lamp of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lens and the substrate as seen from the rear. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1, viewed from the direction of the arrows. [Figure 5] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration taken along line VV in FIG. 1 as viewed from the direction of the arrow. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 1, viewed from the direction of the arrows. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a substrate and a lens that constitute a vehicle lamp according to a first modified example, as viewed from the front. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a substrate and a lens that constitute a vehicle lamp according to Modification 1, as viewed from behind. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lens and a substrate that constitute a vehicle lamp according to Modification 2, as viewed from the front. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lens and a substrate that constitute a vehicle lamp according to Modification 2, as viewed from behind. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a lens and a substrate that constitute a vehicle lamp according to a third modification, as viewed from the front. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a lens and a substrate that constitute a vehicle lamp according to a third modification, as viewed from behind. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For the sake of convenience, the dimensions of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual dimensions of each component. In addition, in the drawings, arrow U indicates the upward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow D indicates the downward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow F indicates the forward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow B indicates the rearward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow R indicates the rightward direction of the illustrated structure. Arrow L indicates the leftward direction of the illustrated structure. These directions are relative directions set for the vehicular lamp 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the direction of light emitted from the vehicular lamp 1 is defined as the forward direction.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a plurality of elements that make up the vehicle lamp 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lens and a substrate as viewed from the rear. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration as viewed from the direction of the arrows in a cross section taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration as viewed from the direction of the arrows in a cross section taken along line VV in FIG. 1. Note that these cross-sectional views only show the cut surface.

[0010] The vehicle lamp 1 is configured to function as, for example, a turn signal lamp. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle lamp 1 includes a translucent cover 2, a light source 3, a substrate 4, a lens 5, and a housing 6. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the housing 6 has a recess that opens forward, and the translucent cover 2 closes the opening of the housing 6. The housing 6 and the translucent cover 2 form a lamp chamber 7 (see FIG. 4). The substrate 4 on which the light source 3 is mounted and the lens 5 are housed in the lamp chamber 7.

[0011] The light source 3 is configured by, for example, a semiconductor light-emitting element. The semiconductor light-emitting element is, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED). The semiconductor light-emitting element may be a laser element or an EL element. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the light source 3 is disposed on the substrate 4 with the light-emitting surface facing forward. In this example, three light sources 3 are mounted on the substrate 4.

[0012] The substrate 4 is, for example, a printed circuit board made of an insulator with electrical circuit wiring printed on the surface or inside of the board. The substrate 4 has a boss insertion hole 41 formed therein, into which the boss 54 of the lens 5 is inserted. In this example, the substrate 4 has two boss insertion holes 41 formed therein.

[0013] The lens 5 is configured so that light emitted from the light source 3 enters the lens 5, passes through the lens 5, and is emitted forward. The lens 5 has a central region 51. The central region 51 includes an emission portion 52 that emits the light emitted from the light source 3 forward. In this example, the central region 51 includes three emission portions 52. Each of the three emission portions 52 is formed in a position that faces the corresponding light source 3 when the vehicle lamp 1 is assembled.

[0014] 4, the emission section 52 has a central section 521 and an outer edge section 522. The central section 521 is configured to refract light L1 from the light source 3 and emit it forward. The outer edge section 522 surrounds the periphery of the central section 521 and is configured to internally reflect incident light L2 from the light source 3 and emit it forward.

[0015] A groove 511 recessed toward the rear is formed on the front surface of the central region 51 near the boundary with the peripheral region 53, which will be described later. In this example, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the groove 511 is formed so as to surround the central region 51 in a triangular shape when viewed from the front.

[0016] The lens 5 has a peripheral region 53 located around the central region 51. The peripheral region 53 is inclined toward the rear. In this example, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the front surface of the peripheral region 53 is curved convexly toward the substrate 4.

[0017] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the lens 5 has a boss portion 54 extending rearward from the rear surface of the peripheral region 53. In this example, two boss portions 54 are formed at positions facing each other in the vertical direction. Each of the two boss portions 54 is formed at a position facing the corresponding boss portion insertion hole 41 of the substrate 4 when the vehicle lamp 1 is assembled. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the boss portion 54 passes through the boss portion insertion hole 41 of the substrate 4 and abuts against the housing 6.

[0018] The rear surface of the peripheral region 53 where the boss portion 54 is formed is curved convexly toward the substrate 4, just like the front surface. In other words, the peripheral region 53 where the boss portion 54 is formed is formed to have a constant thickness.

[0019] The housing 6 is configured to hold the lens 5. The housing 6 has screw insertion holes 61 formed therein, through which screws 8 are inserted into the boss portions 54 of the lens 5. In this example, two screw insertion holes 61 are formed in the housing 6. The lens 5 is fixed to the housing 6 by the screws 8 that are inserted through the screw insertion holes 61 in the housing 6 and into the boss portions 54 of the lens 5.

[0020] 2, the housing 6 has a connector section 62 that is connected to an external connector. The connector section 62 has terminal pins 63 that are directly connected to the board 4 (see FIG. 4).

[0021] According to the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the peripheral region 53 of the lens 5 is inclined rearward, so that the emission area of ​​the emission portion 52 is secured, while the lamp can be made smaller in size compared to a configuration in which the peripheral region 53 extends in the left-right and up-down directions.

[0022] Furthermore, some of the light incident on the exit portion 52 of the lens 5 propagates within the lens 5 toward the peripheral region 53 without being emitted forward, and some of the light propagated to the peripheral region 53 may be reflected by the base end of the boss portion 54 and emitted forward. However, because the peripheral region 53 of the present disclosure is inclined backward, the amount of light propagated to the peripheral region 53 is smaller than in a configuration in which the peripheral region 53 extends in the left-right and up-down directions. This makes it possible to prevent the light reflected by the base end of the boss portion 54 from being emitted forward.

[0023] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the peripheral region 53 is curved in a convex shape toward the substrate 4, which can improve the design.

[0024] Furthermore, if the thickness of the portion of peripheral region 53 where boss portion 54 is formed is not constant, the resin may not harden during resin molding of lens 5, resulting in deformation of the base end of boss portion 54. However, in this embodiment, peripheral region 53 where boss portion 54 is formed is formed to have a constant thickness, so that deformation of the base end of boss portion 54 can be prevented.

[0025] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration when a cross section taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 1 is viewed from the direction of the arrows. Note that this cross-sectional view shows only the cut surface.

[0026] As illustrated in Fig. 6, the lens 5 has an abutment portion 55. The abutment portion 55 protrudes toward the substrate 4 and abuts against the substrate 4. In this example, as shown in Fig. 3, the abutment portion 55 protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the peripheral region 53 and is formed so as to extend continuously in the left-right direction from the base end of the boss portion 54.

[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the housing 6 has a contact portion 64. The contact portion 64 is configured to protrude toward the substrate 4 and come into contact with the substrate 4. The contact portion 64 of the housing 6 is formed at a position facing the contact portion 55 of the lens 5. The substrate 4 is sandwiched between the contact portion 64 of the housing 6 and the contact portion 55 of the lens 5. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the contact portion 64 is formed around the screw insertion hole 61.

[0028] When assembling the vehicle lamp 1, first, the substrate 4 on which the light source 3 is mounted and the housing 6 are placed on top of the lens 5 in this order. Then, with the substrate 4 sandwiched between the lens 5 and the housing 6, screws 8 are attached to the bosses 54 of the lens 5 to secure the lens 5 to the housing 6. At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 6 , the substrate 4 is sandwiched and secured between the abutment portions 64 of the housing 6 and the abutment portions 55 of the lens 5, making it easy to assemble the substrate 4. After the substrate 4, lens 5, and housing 6 are secured, the translucent cover 2 is ultrasonically welded to the housing 6, followed by an annealing process. This completes the vehicle lamp 1.

[0029] 2, the housing 6 may have at least one positioning protrusion 65 extending toward the substrate 4. The substrate 4 may have at least one notch 42 that engages with the positioning protrusion 65. In this example, the housing 6 has four positioning protrusions 65, and the substrate 4 has four notches 42. With this configuration, the notches 42 function as guides for the positioning protrusions 65 when placing the housing 6 on the substrate 4 that is placed on the lens 5, making it easy to assemble and position the housing 6.

[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the lens 5 may have at least three positioning protrusions 56 extending toward the substrate 4. The substrate 4 may have at least three openings 43 that engage with the three positioning protrusions 56. In this example, the lens 5 has two positioning pins 56A and one positioning protrusion 56B. The substrate 4 has two positioning holes 43A and one positioning cutout 43B. The two positioning holes 43A each engage with a corresponding positioning pin 56A. The positioning cutout 43B engages with the positioning protrusion 56B. This configuration makes it easy to position the substrate 4 when placing it on the lens 5.

[0031] The arrangement of the positioning protrusion 56 of the lens 5 and the opening 43 of the substrate 4 may be configured to differ depending on the function of the vehicle lamp 1.

[0032] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the substrate 4A and lens 5A constituting the vehicular lamp 1A according to Modification 1, as seen from the front. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the substrate 4A and lens 5A constituting the vehicular lamp 1A according to Modification 1, as seen from the rear. Note that the translucent cover and housing of the vehicular lamp 1A according to Modification 1 have the same configurations as the translucent cover 2 and housing 6 of the vehicular lamp 1 illustrated in Fig. 2, and therefore will not be illustrated or described again. Furthermore, in the substrate 4A and lens 5A of the vehicular lamp 1A according to Modification 1, components that are substantially the same as those of the substrate 4 and lens 5 of the vehicular lamp 1 illustrated in Fig. 2 will be assigned the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be omitted.

[0033] The vehicle lamp 1A according to the first modification is configured to function as, for example, a clearance lamp. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the lens 5A has a central region 51 including one light exit portion 52. The light exit portion 52 is formed in a position facing the light source 3 mounted on the substrate 4A when the vehicle lamp 1A is assembled.

[0034] A groove portion 511 recessed toward the rear is formed on the front surface of the central region 51 near the boundary with the peripheral region 53. In this example, the groove portion 511 is formed so as to surround the central region 51 in a circular shape when viewed from the front.

[0035] The lens 5A has a peripheral region 53 located around the central region 51. The peripheral region 53 is inclined toward the rear. In this example, the front surface of the peripheral region 53 is curved convexly toward the substrate 4A.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the lens 5A has two positioning pins 56C and one positioning protrusion 56B. The two positioning pins 56C in this modified example are formed in positions different from the two positioning pins 56A of the lens 5 shown in FIG. 3. In this example, the two positioning pins 56C are formed on the opposite side of the boss portion 54 from the positioning pin 56A shown in FIG. 3. Specifically, the upper positioning pin 56A shown in FIG. 3 is formed on the left side of the boss portion 54, and the lower positioning pin 56A is formed on the right side of the boss portion 54. In contrast, the upper positioning pin 56C in this modified example is formed on the right side of the boss portion 54, and the lower positioning pin 56C is formed on the left side of the boss portion 54.

[0037] The substrate 4A has two positioning holes 43C and one positioning cutout 43B. The two positioning holes 43C are formed at positions that engage with the two positioning pins 56C of the lens 5A. That is, the two positioning holes 43C in this modified example are formed at positions different from the two positioning holes 43A of the substrate 4 shown in FIG. 3. In this example, the two positioning holes 43C are formed at positions on the opposite side of the boss insertion hole 41 from the positioning hole 43A shown in FIG. 3.

[0038] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the lens 5B and substrate 4B constituting the vehicular lamp 1B according to Modification 2, as seen from the front. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the lens 5B and substrate 4B constituting the vehicular lamp 1B according to Modification 2, as seen from the rear. Note that the translucent cover and housing of the vehicular lamp 1B according to Modification 2 have the same configurations as the translucent cover 2 and housing 6 of the vehicular lamp 1 illustrated in Fig. 2, and therefore will not be illustrated or described again. Furthermore, in the lens 5B and substrate 4B of the vehicular lamp 1B according to Modification 2, components that are substantially the same as those of the lens 5 and substrate 4 of the vehicular lamp 1 illustrated in Fig. 2 will be assigned the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be omitted.

[0039] The vehicle lamp 1B according to the second modification is configured to function as, for example, a tail / stop lamp. As illustrated in Fig. 9, the lens 5B has a central region 51 including four light exit portions 52. Each of the four light exit portions 52 is formed at a position facing a corresponding light source 3 mounted on the substrate 4 when the vehicle lamp 1B is assembled.

[0040] A groove portion 511 recessed toward the rear is formed on the front surface of the central region 51 near the boundary with the peripheral region 53. In this example, the groove portion 511 is formed so as to surround the central region 51 in a square shape when viewed from the front.

[0041] The lens 5B has a peripheral region 53 located around the central region 51. The peripheral region 53 is inclined toward the rear. In this example, the front surface of the peripheral region 53 is curved convexly toward the substrate 4B.

[0042] As illustrated in Fig. 10, the lens has two positioning pins 56D and one positioning protrusion 56B. The two positioning pins 56D in this modification are formed in positions different from the two positioning pins 56A of the lens 5 shown in Fig. 3. In this example, the two positioning pins 56D are formed to the right of the boss portion 54.

[0043] The substrate 4B has two positioning holes 43D and one positioning cutout 43B. The two positioning holes 43D are formed at positions that engage with the two positioning pins 56D of the lens 5B. That is, the two positioning holes 43D in this modified example are formed at positions different from the two positioning holes 43A of the substrate 4 shown in FIG. 3. In this example, the two positioning holes 43D are formed to the right of the boss insertion hole 41.

[0044] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a lens 5C and a substrate 4C constituting a vehicular lamp 1C according to Modification 3, as seen from the front. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a lens 5C and a substrate 4C constituting a vehicular lamp 1C according to Modification 3, as seen from the rear. Note that the translucent cover and the housing of the vehicular lamp 1C according to Modification 3 have the same configurations as the translucent cover 2 and the housing 6 of the vehicular lamp 1 illustrated in Fig. 2, and therefore will not be illustrated or described again. Furthermore, in the lens 5C and the substrate 4C of the vehicular lamp 1C according to Modification 3, components that are substantially the same as those of the lens 5 and the substrate 4 of the vehicular lamp 1 illustrated in Fig. 2 will be assigned the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be omitted.

[0045] A vehicle lamp 1C according to the third modification is configured to function as, for example, a backup lamp. As illustrated in Fig. 11, a lens 5C has a central region 51 including four light exit portions 52. Each of the four light exit portions 52 is formed at a position facing a corresponding light source 3 mounted on a substrate 4C when the vehicle lamp 1C is assembled.

[0046] A groove portion 511 recessed toward the rear is formed on the front surface of the central region 51 near the boundary with the peripheral region 53. In this example, the groove portion 511 is formed so as to surround the central region 51 in a square shape when viewed from the front.

[0047] The lens 5C has a peripheral region 53 located around the central region 51. The peripheral region 53 is inclined toward the rear. In this example, the front surface of the peripheral region 53 is curved convexly toward the substrate 4C.

[0048] As illustrated in Fig. 12, lens 5C has two positioning pins 56E and one positioning protrusion 56B. The two positioning pins 56E in this modification are formed in positions different from the two positioning pins 56A of lens 5 shown in Fig. 3. In this example, the two positioning pins 56E are formed to the left of the boss portion.

[0049] The substrate 4C has two positioning holes 43E and one positioning cutout 43B. The two positioning holes 43E are formed at positions that engage with the two positioning pins 56E of the lens 5C. That is, the two positioning holes 43E in this modified example are formed at positions different from the two positioning holes 43A of the substrate 4 shown in FIG. 3. In this example, the two positioning holes 43E are formed to the left of the boss insertion hole 41.

[0050] As described above, in the vehicle lamps according to the embodiment, modification 1, modification 2, and modification 3 of the present disclosure, the number and arrangement of the lens emission portions and light sources differ depending on the function of the lamp. However, because the arrangement of the positioning protrusions and openings differs depending on the function of the lamp, it is possible to prevent the assembly of a lamp board having a function different from a specific function to a lens having that specific function.

[0051] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the description of the present embodiments. The present embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications of the embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims. The technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

[0052] In the above-described embodiment and each modified example, the front surface of the peripheral region 53 may be textured. The textured surface diffuses light reflected from the translucent cover 2 toward the front surface of the peripheral region 53 and light incident on the peripheral region 53 from the light source 3 at the front surface of the peripheral region 53. This makes the screw fastening portions of the boss portions 54 less noticeable when the lamp is viewed from the front, improving the design. Instead of textured surface, the front surface of the peripheral region 53 may be painted. Painting the front surface of the peripheral region 53 makes the screw fastening portions of the boss portions 54 less noticeable when the lamp is viewed from the front, improving the design. Furthermore, light reflected from the translucent cover 2 toward the front surface of the peripheral region 53 is prevented from being reflected at the front surface of the peripheral region 53.

[0053] In the above-described embodiment and each modified example, the peripheral region 53 is curved convexly toward the substrate. However, the peripheral region 53 may be formed, for example, so as to be linearly inclined toward the substrate, i.e., so as to be inclined toward the substrate as it moves away from the central region 51.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment and each modified example, a groove 511 is formed on the front surface of the central region 51 near the boundary with the peripheral region 53. However, a configuration in which no groove 511 is formed on the front surface of the central region 51 may also be employed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 Vehicle lighting fixtures 1A Vehicle lighting fixtures 1B Vehicle lighting fixtures 1C Vehicle lighting fixtures 2 Translucent cover 3 light source 4 boards 4A board 4B board 4C board 5 Lenses 5A Lens 5B lens 5C Lens 6. Housing 7 Lamp room 8 screws 41 Boss insertion hole 43 Opening 43A Positioning hole 43C Positioning hole 43D positioning hole 43E Positioning hole 51 Central area 511 Groove 52 Exit section 521 Central part 522 outer edge 53 Surrounding Area 54 Boss section 55 Contact part 56 Protrusion 56A Locating Pin 56B Protrusion 56C Locating Pin 56D Locating Pin 56E Locating Pin 61 Screw insertion hole 62 Connector part 63 terminal pin 64 Contact part 65 Protrusion

Claims

1. A light source and a substrate on which the light source is mounted; a lens into which light emitted from the light source enters, passes through the lens, and exits forward; a housing that houses the substrate and holds the lens; It is equipped with the lens has a central region including an emission portion that emits light emitted from the light source forward, and a peripheral region located around the central region, the peripheral region of the lens is tapered posteriorly; The lens has a boss portion extending rearward from a rear surface of the peripheral region.

2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 , wherein the peripheral region is curved convexly toward the substrate.

3. 3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein a front surface of the peripheral region is textured.

4. the lens has at least three positioning protrusions extending toward the substrate; 3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the substrate has at least three openings that engage with the three positioning protrusions.

5. the housing has at least one positioning protrusion extending toward the board; 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the substrate has at least one notch that engages with the positioning protrusion.

6. the housing has a contact portion that protrudes toward the board and comes into contact with the board, the lens has a contact portion that protrudes toward the substrate and contacts the substrate, The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the substrate is sandwiched between the contact portion of the housing and the contact portion of the lens.

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