Vehicle lamp

Abstract

To provide a lighting fixture for a vehicle capable of making a plurality of segments emit light with light-emitting regions (two light-emitting surfaces) different in brightness from each other (having a luminance difference) as one segment by using one light source.SOLUTION: A vehicular lamp 10 includes a light source 40, a first rod-shaped light guide 50 and a second rod-shaped light guide 60 arranged in parallel with each other for guiding light emitted by the light source, the first rod-shaped light guide including a thick light guide part 51 and a thin light guide part 52 arranged in parallel with each other, the thick light guide part including an outer circumferential surface having a first reflecting surface 51c, an opposite first intermediate light-emitting surface 51d, and the thin light guide part including an outer circumferential surface having a second reflecting surface 52a, an opposite second intermediate light-emitting surface 52b, and a first incident surface 61a facing the first intermediate light-emitting surface, and a second incident surface 62 a facing the second intermediate light-emitting surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a vehicle lamp in which light emitted by a light source is guided by a light guide arranged in front of it and emitted from two light emitting surfaces arranged adjacent to each other when viewed from the front, thereby forming light emitting areas on the two light emitting surfaces that are different in brightness (have a luminance difference).

[0003] In response to this, the present inventors have considered emitting light from a plurality of segments, each segment consisting of light-emitting regions (two light-emitting surfaces) with different brightness levels. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-113 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, when emitting light from a plurality of segments, each segment being a light-emitting area (two light-emitting surfaces) with different brightness levels, a problem arises in that light sources must be prepared in a number corresponding to the number of segments.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp that can emit light in multiple segments using a single light source, with each segment consisting of light-emitting areas (two light-emitting surfaces) that are different in brightness (have a luminance difference). [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure includes a light source, a first rod-shaped light guide and a second rod-shaped light guide arranged in parallel to each other and guiding light emitted by the light source, the first rod-shaped light guide including a thick light guide portion and a thin light guide portion arranged in parallel to each other, an outer peripheral surface of the thick light guide including a first reflecting surface, a first intermediate light-emitting surface opposite the first reflecting surface, and the thin light guide portion, an outer peripheral surface of the thin light guide including a second reflecting surface and a second intermediate light-emitting surface opposite the second reflecting surface, an outer peripheral surface of the second rod-shaped light guide including a first light-entering surface facing the first intermediate light-emitting surface, a second light-entering surface facing the second intermediate light-emitting surface, and a protrusion protruding on the opposite side, the first reflecting surface including a first lens cut, and the second reflecting surface including a second lens cut, Light emitted by the light source enters the thick light guiding section from one end and is guided toward the other end of the thick light guiding section. A portion of the light guided within the thick light guiding section toward the other end is totally reflected by the first lens cut and exits from the first intermediate light exit surface, passes through the first light entrance surface and the protrusion in that order, and finally exits from the first final light exit surface provided at the tip of the protrusion. Another portion of the light guided within the thick light guiding section toward the other end enters the thin light guiding section, is totally reflected by the second lens cut and exits from the second intermediate light exit surface, passes through the second light entrance surface and the protrusion in that order, and finally exits from the second final light exit surface provided at the tip of the protrusion.

[0008] With this configuration, it is possible to use one light source to emit light from a plurality of segments, each segment consisting of light-emitting regions (two light-emitting surfaces) that are different in brightness (have a luminance difference).

[0009] In the above vehicle lamp, the second final light-emitting surface may be inclined in a predetermined direction relative to the first final light-emitting surface.

[0010] The above-described vehicle lamp may include a plurality of the protrusions.

[0011] The above-described vehicle lamp may further include an extension disposed in the space between the adjacent protrusions.

[0012] In the above vehicle lamp, the thick light-guiding portion may be thicker than the thin light-guiding portion.

[0013] In the above vehicle lamp, the number of the first lens cuts may be greater than the number of the second lens cuts.

[0014] In the above vehicle lamp, the lens cut and the second lens cut may be partially provided in correspondence with the protrusion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The present disclosure makes it possible to provide a vehicle lamp that can use one light source to emit light in multiple segments, each segment consisting of light-emitting areas (two light-emitting surfaces) that are different in brightness (have a luminance difference). [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a vehicle lamp 10 (outer lens 20 omitted). [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the first rod-shaped light guide 50. [Figure 4] 10 is a perspective view illustrating the relationship between a second rod-shaped light guide 60 (a protrusion 62) and an extension 70. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, a vehicle lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Corresponding components in each drawing are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0018] The vehicle lamp 10 of this embodiment is a vehicle signal lamp that functions as a tail lamp and is mounted on both the left and right sides of the rear end of a vehicle such as an automobile (not shown). Since the vehicle lamps 10 mounted on both the left and right sides have a symmetrical configuration, the following description will be directed to the vehicle lamp 10 mounted on the right side of the rear end of the vehicle (the right side as viewed from the front of the vehicle) as a representative example.

[0019] Fig. 1 is a front view of a vehicle lamp 10 (outer lens 20 is omitted), and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1.

[0020] 2, the vehicle lamp 10 includes an outer lens 20, a housing 30, a light source 40, a first rod-shaped light guide 50 (light-guiding inner lens) disposed on the front side of the vehicle, a second rod-shaped light guide 60 (decorative inner lens) disposed on the rear side of the vehicle, an extension 70, and a reflector 80. The light source 40, the first rod-shaped light guide 50, the second rod-shaped light guide 60, the extension 70, and the reflector 80 are disposed within a lamp chamber S formed by the outer lens 20 and the housing 30. The first rod-shaped light guide 50 and the second rod-shaped light guide 60 are disposed in parallel to each other and guide the light emitted by the light source 40.

[0021] <Light source 40> The light source 40 is a socket-type light source and includes at least one semiconductor light-emitting element such as an LED that emits white light. The light source 40 is detachably attached to the housing 30 or the like in a state in which the light-emitting surface thereof is tilted so that it faces outward in the vehicle width direction and toward the rear of the vehicle (diagonally rearward). The optical axis AX of the light source 40 40 passes through the center of the light emitting surface and extends in a direction perpendicular to the light emitting surface.

[0022] <First rod-shaped light guide 50> 2, the first rod-shaped light guide 50 includes a thick light guide portion 51 and a thin light guide portion 52 arranged in parallel with each other. The first rod-shaped light guide 50 is integrally molded from a transparent resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate.

[0023] The first rod-shaped light guide 50 (the thick light guide portion 51 and the thin light guide portion 52) extends while gradually curving toward the front of the vehicle from one end located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction toward the other end located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The second rod-shaped light guide 60 is similarly configured.

[0024] One end 51a of thick light-guiding portion 51 is disposed in front of light source 40 (light-emitting surface). One end 51a includes a light-entering surface through which light emitted by light source 40 enters. This light-entering surface is, for example, aligned with the optical axis AX of light source 40. 40 It is a plane perpendicular to

[0025] The outer peripheral surface of the thick light-guiding portion 51 includes a first reflecting surface 51c disposed on the vehicle front side (the side opposite to the light-emitting direction), a first intermediate light-emitting surface 51d disposed on the opposite side, i.e., the vehicle rear side (the light-emitting direction side), and an upper surface 51e and a lower surface 51f disposed between the first reflecting surface 51c and the first intermediate light-emitting surface 51d. The thickness of the thick light-guiding portion 51, i.e., the distance between the first reflecting surface 51c and the first intermediate light-emitting surface 51d, is L1.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the first rod-shaped light guide 50. As shown in FIG.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 3, the first reflecting surface 51c includes first lens cuts LC1. The first lens cuts LC1 are, for example, V-grooves extending in the vertical direction (the up-and-down direction in Fig. 3). N1 first lens cuts LC1 are formed on the first reflecting surface 51c in an area A1 (an area on the back side of the protrusion 62) corresponding to the protrusion 62 of the second rod-shaped light guide 60. N1 is, for example, 5.

[0028] Of the light RayA that enters the thick-walled light guiding section 51 from one end 51a (light entrance surface) of the thick-walled light guiding section 51 and is guided toward the other end 51b of the thick-walled light guiding section 51, a portion of the light RayB (see Figure 2) is totally reflected by the first lens cut LC1 and exits from the first intermediate light exit surface 51d.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the upper surface 51e of the thick light guide portion 51 includes the thin light guide portion 52. The thin light guide portion 52 extends in a direction inclined from the vehicle rear side (light irradiation direction side) to the vehicle front side (rear light irradiation direction side) on the upper surface 51e of the thick light guide portion 51.

[0030] The outer peripheral surface of the thin light guide portion 52 includes a second reflection surface 52a disposed on the vehicle front side (rear light irradiation direction side) and a second intermediate light emitting surface 52b disposed on the opposite side, that is, on the vehicle rear side (light irradiation direction side). The second intermediate light emitting surface 52b is inclined toward the vehicle front side (rear light irradiation direction side) with respect to the first intermediate light emitting surface 51d. The thickness of the thin light guide portion 52, that is, the distance between the second reflection surface 52a and the second intermediate light emitting surface 52b is L2. The thickness L2 of the thin light guide portion 52 is thinner than the thickness L1 of the thick light guide portion 51 (L2 < L1). The thin light guide portion 52 is provided, for example, in the range indicated by reference numeral A2 in FIG. 2.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the second reflection surface 52a includes a second lens cut LC2. The second lens cut LC2 is, for example, a V-groove extending in the vertical direction (the up-and-down direction in FIG. 3). The second lens cut LC2 is formed in N2 number in a region A3 (the region on the back side of the protruding portion 62) corresponding to the protruding portion 62 of the second rod-shaped light guide 60 on the second reflection surface 52a. N2 is, for example, 2. The number N2 of the second lens cuts LC2 is less than the number N1 of the first lens cuts LC1 (N2 < N1).

[0032] Among the light RayA that enters the thick light guide portion 51 from one end portion 51a (light incident surface) of the thick light guide portion 51 and is guided toward the other end portion 51b of the thick light guide portion 51, another part of the light RayC (leakage light. Refer to FIG. 2) enters the thin light guide portion 52, is totally reflected by the second lens cut LC2, and exits from the second intermediate light emitting surface 52b.

[0033] <Second rod-shaped light guide 6 60> 2, the outer peripheral surface of the second rod-shaped light guide 60 includes a first light-entering surface 61a facing the first intermediate light-exiting surface 51d, a second light-entering surface 61b facing the second intermediate light-exiting surface 52b, and a protrusion 62 protruding from the opposite side, i.e., toward the rear of the vehicle (the light-irradiation direction side). The second rod-shaped light guide 60 is integrally molded from a transparent resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate. The second light-entering surface 61b is inclined toward the front of the vehicle (the side opposite the light-irradiation direction) with respect to the first light-entering surface 61a. A gap G1 is provided between the first intermediate light-exiting surface 51d and the first light-entering surface 61a, and between the second intermediate light-exiting surface 52b and the second light-entering surface 61b.

[0034] The tip of the protrusion 62 includes a first final light-emitting surface 62a and a second final light-emitting surface 62b. The second final light-emitting surface 62b is inclined toward the front of the vehicle (the side opposite to the light irradiation direction) relative to the first final light-emitting surface 62a.

[0035] The first final light-emitting surface 62a is, for example, a vertical surface and includes a plurality of lens cuts LC3 (for example, fisheye lenses) that diffuse the light RayB emitted from the first final light-emitting surface 62a in all directions.

[0036] On the other hand, in consideration of design, the second final light-emitting surface 62b extends, for example, from the upper edge of the first final light-emitting surface 62a in a direction inclined toward the front of the vehicle (the direction opposite to the light irradiation direction), and extends via a bend C1 in a direction inclined even more toward the front of the vehicle (the direction opposite to the light irradiation direction).

[0037] Light RayB emitted from the first intermediate light-exiting surface 51d enters the second rod-shaped light guide 60 from the first light-entering surface 61a and exits from the first final light-exiting surface 62a. On the other hand, light RayC emitted from the second intermediate light-exiting surface 52b enters the second rod-shaped light guide 60 from the second light-entering surface 61b and exits from the second final light-exiting surface 62b.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the relationship between the second rod-shaped light guide 60 (the protrusion 62) and the extension 70. As shown in FIG.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a plurality of protrusions 62 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the second rod-shaped light guide 60.

[0040] 4, the extension 70 has a plurality of through holes H formed therein corresponding to the plurality of protrusions 62. The protrusions 62 are inserted into the corresponding through holes H from the rear of the extension 70 and are exposed from the through holes H. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the extension 70 is disposed in a gap G2 between adjacent protrusions 62.

[0041] <Example of operation> In the vehicle lamp 10 having the above-described configuration, a tail lamp can be realized by turning on the light source 40.

[0042] The optical path of the light from the light source 40 is as follows.

[0043] When the light source 40 is turned on, light RayA (see FIG. 2) from the light source 40 enters the thick light guide 51 from one end 51a (light entrance surface) of the first rod-shaped light guide 50 (thick light guide 51) and is guided through the thick light guide 51 toward the other end 51b. As shown in FIG. 2, most of the light RayA that entered the thick light guide 51 from the one end 51a (light entrance surface) of the first rod-shaped light guide 50 (thick light guide 51) is spirally guided toward the other end 51b while repeatedly undergoing internal reflection (total reflection) on the inner circumferential surfaces (first reflecting surface 51c, first intermediate light exit surface 51d, upper surface 51e, and lower surface 51f) of the thick light guide 51.

[0044] A portion of the light RayA guided toward the other end 51b, namely, a light RayB (relatively bright light), is totally reflected by the first reflecting surface 51c (first lens cut LC1) and exits from the first intermediate light exit surface 51d. The light RayB exiting from the first intermediate light exit surface 51d enters the second rod-shaped light guide 60 from the first light entrance surface 61a and exits from the first final light exit surface 62a. At this time, the light RayB exiting from the first final light exit surface 62a is diffused in all directions by the action of the first final light exit surface 62a (lens cut LC3).

[0045] The light RayB emitted from the first final light-emitting surface 62a realizes a tail lamp. At this time, the light RayB emitted from the first final light-emitting surface 62a causes the first final light-emitting surface 62a to emit light. In other words, a white light-emitting region is formed on the first final light-emitting surface 62a.

[0046] Meanwhile, light RayC (relatively dark light) remaining part of light RayA guided toward the other end 51b enters the thin-walled light-guiding portion 52, is totally reflected by the second reflecting surface 52a (second lens cuts LC2 having a smaller number than the first lens cuts LC1), and exits from the second intermediate light-exiting surface 52b. The light RayC exiting from the second intermediate light-exiting surface 52b enters the second rod-shaped light guide 60 from the second light-entering surface 61b and exits from the second final light-exiting surface 62b. At this time, the light RayC exiting from the second final light-exiting surface 62b causes the second final light-exiting surface 62b to emit light. In other words, a white light-emitting region is formed on the second final light-exiting surface 62b.

[0047] Light RayB emitted from the first final light-emitting surface 62a is relatively bright, while light RayC emitted from the second final light-emitting surface 62b is relatively dark. Furthermore, the number of second lens cuts LC2 is fewer than the number of first lens cuts LC1. As a result, the light-emitting region formed on the second final light-emitting surface 62b is darker than the light-emitting region formed on the first final light-emitting surface 62a. The light-emitting regions formed on the first final light-emitting surface 62a and the second final light-emitting surface 62b gradually become darker from the light-emitting region formed on the first final light-emitting surface 62a to the light-emitting region formed on the second final light-emitting surface 62b.

[0048] As described above, according to the above embodiment, it is possible to use one light source 40 to emit light from multiple segments, each segment consisting of light-emitting regions (two light-emitting surfaces, i.e., the first final light-emitting surface 62a and the second final light-emitting surface 62b) that have different brightnesses (luminance differences). This makes it possible to reduce the number of parts.

[0049] Next, a modified example will be described.

[0050] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the vehicle lamp of the present disclosure is applied to a vehicle signal lamp that functions as a tail lamp, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the vehicle lamp of the present disclosure may be applied to a vehicle signal lamp that functions as a lamp other than a rear fog lamp (for example, a rear fog lamp or a stop lamp).

[0051] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a rod-shaped light guide having a rectangular cross section is used as thick light guide 51, but this is not limiting. For example, a general rod-shaped light guide having a circular cross section (a so-called light guide rod) may be used as thick light guide 51, or a rod-shaped light guide having a ginkgo-shaped cross section may be used, or a rod-shaped light guide (or plate-shaped light guide) having another cross section may be used. The same applies to thin light guide 52.

[0052] The numerical values ​​shown in the above embodiments are all examples, and it goes without saying that other appropriate numerical values ​​can be used.

[0053] The above-described embodiments are merely examples in all respects. The present disclosure should not be construed as being limited by the descriptions of the above-described embodiments. The present disclosure can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 10...Vehicle lighting fixtures 20...Outer lens 30…Housing 40...Light source 50...First rod-shaped light guide 51...Thick wall light guide part 51a...One end 51b...Other end 51c...1st reflective surface 51d...First intermediate light output surface 51e…Top surface 51f…bottom surface 52...Thin-walled light guide section 52a…Second reflective surface 52b…Second intermediate light output surface 60…Second rod-shaped light guide 61a...first light incident surface 61b…Second light incident surface 62...Protruding part 62a...First final light output surface 62b…Second final light output surface 70...Extension 80...Reflector A1…area A3…area AX40…Optical axis C1...bending part H...Through hole LC1...First lens cut LC2: Second lens cut LC3...Lens cut S…Light room

Claims

1. A light source and a first rod-shaped light guide and a second rod-shaped light guide arranged in parallel to each other and guiding the light emitted by the light source; the first rod-shaped light guide includes a thick light guide portion and a thin light guide portion arranged in parallel with each other, an outer peripheral surface of the thick light-guiding portion including a first reflecting surface, a first intermediate light-emitting surface opposite the first reflecting surface, and the thin light-guiding portion; the outer peripheral surface of the thin-walled light-guiding portion includes a second reflecting surface and a second intermediate light-emitting surface opposite the second reflecting surface; an outer peripheral surface of the second rod-shaped light guide includes a first light incident surface facing the first intermediate light exit surface, a second light incident surface facing the second intermediate light exit surface, and a protrusion protruding on the opposite side thereof; the first reflective surface includes a first lens cut; the second reflective surface includes a second lens cut; the light emitted by the light source enters the thick light-guiding portion from one end thereof and is guided toward the other end thereof; a part of the light guided through the thick-walled light-guiding portion toward the other end is totally reflected by the first lens cut, exits from the first intermediate light-exiting surface, passes through the first light-entering surface and the protrusion in this order, and finally exits from a first final light-exiting surface provided at a tip end of the protrusion, Another portion of the light guided within the thick light-guiding portion toward the other end enters the thin light-guiding portion, is totally reflected by the second lens cut, exits from the second intermediate light-exiting surface, passes through the second light-entering surface and the protrusion in that order, and finally exits from the second final light-exiting surface provided at the tip of the protrusion.

2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 , wherein the second final light-emitting surface is inclined in a predetermined direction relative to the first final light-emitting surface.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 , comprising a plurality of the protrusions.

4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 3 , further comprising extensions disposed in the spaces between the adjacent protrusions.

5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 , wherein the thick light-guiding portion has a thickness greater than that of the thin light-guiding portion.

6. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 , wherein the number of the first lens cuts is greater than the number of the second lens cuts.

7. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 , wherein the first lens cut and the second lens cut are partially provided in correspondence with the protrusion.

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