Vehicle lamp

Abstract

To improve visibility of a vehicular lighting fixture equipped with a plurality of light-emitting elements and a reflector.SOLUTION: A plurality of light emitting elements 30 mounted on a common substrate 32 at intervals in the right and left direction are disposed in a state that the light emitting surface 30a part is directed to the front of the lighting fixture. The reflector 40 includes a first reflector 42 for reflecting the emitted light from the plurality of light emitting elements 30 downward, and a second reflector 44 for reflecting the reflected light from the first reflector 42 toward the front of the lamp and reflecting the direct light from the plurality of light emitting elements 30 toward the front of the lamp. As a reflecting surface 44a of the second reflector 44, a direct reflecting area 44Ba for reflecting direct light from the plurality of light-emitting elements 30 is disposed at a position farther from the first reflector 42 than a re-reflecting area 44Aa for reflecting light reflected from the first reflector 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp including a plurality of light-emitting elements and a reflector. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicle lamp having a plurality of light emitting elements and a reflector has been known.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes such a vehicle lamp, which is configured to irradiate light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements spaced apart in the vehicle width direction by a reflector located below the elements toward the front of the lamp.

[0004] In the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged with their light-emitting surfaces facing downward. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-68971 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] By adopting the lamp configuration described in the above-mentioned "Patent Document 1," it is possible to make the reflective surface of the reflector appear to shine in a horizontally elongated band when the lamp is viewed from the front.

[0007] However, the vehicle lamp described in the above-mentioned "Patent Document 1" is configured so that the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements is reflected directly forward of the lamp by the reflector, and therefore the area of ​​the reflector's reflective surface located directly below the multiple light-emitting elements tends to appear brighter than the areas on either side of it.

[0008] In response to this, it is desirable to improve the visibility of vehicle lamps by configuring the reflecting surface of the reflector to appear to shine with a substantially uniform brightness.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp equipped with a plurality of light-emitting elements and a reflector, which can improve its visibility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention is intended to achieve the above object by devising the orientation of a plurality of light emitting elements and the configuration of the reflector.

[0011] That is, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is In a vehicle lamp having a plurality of light-emitting elements and a reflector, The plurality of light-emitting elements are mounted on a common substrate in a state where they are spaced apart in a required direction intersecting the front-rear direction of the lamp, and with their light-emitting surfaces facing forward of the lamp; The reflector includes a first reflector that is disposed on the front side of the lamp relative to the plurality of light-emitting elements and that reflects the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements in a direction intersecting the required direction, and a second reflector that reflects the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements that has been reflected by the first reflector toward the front of the lamp and also reflects the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements directly toward the front of the lamp, The reflecting surface of the second reflector is characterized in that a direct reflection area that reflects the emitted light from the plurality of light-emitting elements directly toward the front of the lamp is positioned farther from the first reflector than a re-reflection area that reflects the reflected light from the first reflector toward the front of the lamp.

[0012] The "required direction" is not limited to a specific direction as long as it is a direction that intersects with the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, and may be, for example, the horizontal direction or the vertical direction.

[0013] The above-mentioned "reflecting surface of the second reflector" is configured so that the direct reflection area is positioned farther from the first reflector than the retro-reflection area, and the specific surface shape and outer shape of each of these direct reflection area and retro-reflection area are not particularly limited. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The vehicle lamp of the present invention comprises a plurality of light-emitting elements and a reflector, and the plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged at intervals in a required direction that intersects with the fore-and-aft direction of the lamp, and are arranged with their light-emitting surfaces facing forward of the lamp, so that it is easily possible to configure them to be mounted on a common substrate.

[0015] In addition, the vehicle lamp of the present invention is equipped with a first reflector that is positioned further forward than the plurality of light-emitting elements and reflects the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements in a direction intersecting the required direction, and a second reflector that reflects the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements reflected by the first reflector toward the front of the lamp and also reflects the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements directly toward the front of the lamp.Therefore, the plurality of light-emitting elements are not directly visible when viewed from the front of the lamp, and the reflective surface of the second reflector appears to shine.

[0016] Furthermore, the reflective surface of the second reflector is configured so that the direct reflection area, which reflects the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements directly toward the front of the lamp, is positioned farther from the first reflector than the re-reflection area, which reflects the light reflected from the first reflector toward the front of the lamp, thereby achieving the following effects.

[0017] In other words, the re-reflection area of ​​the second reflector is configured to reflect the reflected light from the first reflector toward the front of the lamp, making it easy to make the lamp appear to shine with approximately uniform brightness when viewed from the front.

[0018] Furthermore, since the direct reflection area of ​​the second reflector is positioned farther from the first reflector than the re-reflection area, it is easily possible to make the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements appear to shine with approximately uniform brightness when viewed from the front of the lamp, even though the configuration is such that the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements is reflected directly toward the front of the lamp.

[0019] By configuring the direct reflection area and the re-reflection area of ​​the second reflector to appear to shine with approximately uniform brightness in this manner, the visibility of the lamp can be improved.

[0020] As described above, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp including a plurality of light emitting elements and a reflector, it is possible to improve the visibility thereof.

[0021] Furthermore, in the present invention, the reflecting surface of the second reflector is configured so that the re-reflecting area is closer to the first reflector than the direct reflecting area, so that the first reflector can be positioned relatively close to the front side of the lamp relative to the multiple light-emitting elements, thereby shortening the front-to-rear length of the entire reflector and enabling the lamp to be made thinner.

[0022] In the above configuration, if the re-reflection area of ​​the second reflector is further configured with a plurality of reflective elements formed in a convex curve with respect to a direction intersecting the required direction, the following effects can be obtained.

[0023] In other words, the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements reflected by the first reflector can be efficiently reflected toward the front of the lamp in the area of ​​each of the multiple reflective elements closer to the first reflector, and can be reflected toward the direct reflection area in the area of ​​each of the multiple reflective elements closer to the direct reflection area, and then reflected again toward the front of the lamp in the direct reflection area.

[0024] In the above configuration, if the required direction is set to a direction that bends and extends in a V shape when viewed from the front of the lamp, and the substrate and the first and second reflectors are all formed to bend and extend in a V shape along the required direction, the second reflector can be made to appear to shine in a V shape with approximately uniform brightness when viewed from the front of the lamp. Note that since the multiple light-emitting elements are arranged with their light-emitting surfaces facing the front of the lamp, it is also easy to arrange them in a V shape when mounted on a common substrate.

[0025] In the above configuration, if the first and second reflectors are made of white resin materials, the reflected light can be uniformly diffused. Therefore, the light that is sequentially reflected by the first and second reflectors and irradiated forward of the lamp, as well as the light that is directly irradiated forward of the lamp from the second reflector, can be uniformly diffused, making the second reflector appear to shine with a more uniform brightness.

[0026] In the above configuration, if the mounting surface of the multiple light-emitting elements is made of a white substrate, the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements that is reflected by the first reflector and reaches the mounting surface can be reflected as uniformly diffused light, and then this can be made to enter the second reflector or re-enter the first reflector, thereby further increasing the brightness of the lighting fixture.

[0027] In the above configuration, if the reflector is configured such that the first reflector and the second reflector are integrally molded, the number of parts of the vehicle lamp can be reduced, thereby reducing costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] Cross section of line II-II in Figure 1 [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a lamp unit of the vehicle lamp; [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a view substantially similar to FIG. 2, showing a first modified example of the embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a second modification of the embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a third modification of the embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a fourth modification of the embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0030] Fig. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1.

[0031] 1 and 2, the direction indicated by X is the "forward" direction in terms of the lamp ("backward" in terms of the vehicle), the direction indicated by Y is the "leftward" direction ("rightward" in terms of the vehicle) perpendicular to the "forward" direction, and the direction indicated by Z is the "upward" direction. This is the same in other figures.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment is a tail lamp arranged on the right rear end face of a vehicle, and is configured such that a lamp unit 20 having six light-emitting elements 30 and a reflector 40 is incorporated into a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a translucent cover 14 attached to the front end opening thereof.

[0033] The six light-emitting elements 30 are all red light-emitting diodes, and are mounted on a common substrate 32 with their light-emitting surfaces 30a facing forward of the lamp, arranged at regular intervals in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] The substrate 32 is formed so as to extend horizontally from its right end face (the left end face when the lamp is viewed from the front) toward the left direction (i.e., outward in the vehicle width direction), and is formed so as to slope upward from the middle and extend to the left end face. In other words, the substrate 32 is formed so as to extend in a V-shape when the lamp is viewed from the front. Accordingly, the six light-emitting elements 30 are mounted on the substrate 32 in a V-shaped arrangement.

[0035] The reflector 40 is an injection-molded product made of synthetic resin, and is configured by integrally molding a first reflector 42 and a second reflector 44. These first and second reflectors 42, 44 are both formed so as to bend in a V shape and extend along the vehicle width direction in accordance with the V shape of the base plate 32, and these first and second reflectors 42, 44 are integrated via side wall portions 46 disposed on both the left and right sides thereof.

[0036] The first reflector 42 is configured to reflect the light emitted from the six light-emitting elements 30 downward, while being disposed on the front side of the lamp relative to the six light-emitting elements 30.

[0037] The reflecting surface 42a of the first reflector 42 is formed by a concave cylindrical surface that extends in a V-shape along the vehicle width direction and is subjected to a mirror finish such as aluminum deposition. Specifically, the reflecting surface 42a has a focal point at the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 30, and the vertical cross-sectional shape is defined by a parabola whose axis is a straight line that extends in a direction inclined toward the rear of the lamp relative to the vertical downward direction.

[0038] As a result, the first reflector 42 reflects the light emitted from each of the six light-emitting elements 30 as approximately parallel light that travels in a direction inclined toward the rear of the lamp relative to the vertical downward direction in a vertical plane along the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, and then as diffused light that spreads to both the left and right sides.

[0039] The second reflector 44 is configured to reflect the light emitted from the six light-emitting elements 30 that has been reflected by the first reflector 42 toward the front of the lamp, and also to reflect the light emitted from the six light-emitting elements 30 directly toward the front of the lamp.

[0040] The reflecting surface 44a of the second reflector 44 is also formed by applying a mirror finish such as aluminum vapor deposition to its front surface. In this case, the reflecting surface 44a is configured such that a direct reflection area 44Ba, which reflects the light emitted from the six light-emitting elements 30 directly toward the front of the lamp, is positioned lower than a re-reflection area 44Aa, which reflects the light reflected from the first reflector 44 toward the front of the lamp.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the lamp unit 20, showing the lamp from diagonally above and in front of the lamp.

[0042] 3, the retro-reflection area 44Aa is configured such that a plurality of reflective elements 44As are arranged on a plane extending in a direction inclined toward the front of the lamp relative to the vertically downward direction from a position near the bottom of the substrate 32. These plurality of reflective elements 44As are allocated to a plurality of areas that are divided into a grid pattern in the vertical and horizontal directions when the lamp is viewed from the front, and each of the areas is formed in a convex spherical shape.

[0043] As a result, each of the plurality of reflective elements 44As is configured to reflect the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30 as light that diffuses in the up-down and left-right directions toward the front of the lamp. At this time, the light that reaches the upper region of each of the plurality of reflective elements 44As is reflected as light that diffuses toward the front of the lamp, but the light that reaches the lower end region is emitted in a direction that is significantly inclined downward relative to the front of the lamp.

[0044] The direct reflection area 44Ba has a configuration in which a plurality of reflective elements 44Bs are arranged on a concave cylindrical surface whose vertical cross-sectional shape is defined by a concave curve approximating a parabola whose focus is the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 30 and whose axis is a straight line extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp. These plurality of reflective elements 44Bs are allocated to a plurality of areas that are separated into vertical stripes when viewed from the front of the lamp, and each of these areas is formed so as to extend in the shape of a convex cylindrical surface in the vertical direction.

[0045] As a result, each of the multiple reflective elements 44Bs is configured to directly reflect the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30 as light that diffuses in the up / down and left / right directions centered in a direction slightly upward from the front of the lamp, and to reflect the downward reflected light from the lower end region of each of the multiple reflective elements 44As in a direction closer to the front of the lamp.

[0046] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0047] The vehicle lamp 10 of this embodiment comprises six light-emitting elements 30 and a reflector 40, and the six light-emitting elements 30 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction (i.e., the required direction intersecting the fore-and-aft direction of the lamp) and are arranged with their light-emitting surfaces 30a facing forward of the lamp, so that it is easily possible to configure them to be mounted on a common substrate 32.

[0048] Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 10 of this embodiment is equipped with, as its reflector 40, a first reflector 42 that is positioned further forward than the six light-emitting elements 30 and reflects the light emitted from the six light-emitting elements 30 downward (i.e., in a direction intersecting the required direction), and a second reflector 44 that reflects the light emitted from the six light-emitting elements 30 reflected by the first reflector 42 toward the front of the lamp and also reflects the light emitted from the six light-emitting elements 30 directly toward the front of the lamp.Therefore, the six light-emitting elements 30 are not directly visible when viewed from the front of the lamp, and the reflective surface 44a of the second reflector 44 appears to shine.

[0049] Furthermore, the reflecting surface 44a of the second reflector 44 is configured such that the direct reflection area 44Ba, which reflects the light emitted from the six light-emitting elements 30 directly toward the front of the lamp, is positioned lower (i.e., at a position farther from the first reflector 42) than the re-reflection area 44Aa, which reflects the light reflected from the first reflector 42 toward the front of the lamp, thereby achieving the following effects.

[0050] In other words, the re-reflection area 44Aa of the second reflector 44 is configured to reflect the reflected light from the first reflector 42 toward the front of the lamp, making it easy to make the lamp appear to shine with approximately uniform brightness when viewed from the front.

[0051] Furthermore, since the direct reflection area 44Ba of the second reflector 44 is positioned farther from the first reflector 42 than the re-reflection area 44Aa, it is easily possible to make the light emitted from the six light-emitting elements 30 appear to shine with approximately uniform brightness when viewed from the front of the lamp, even though the configuration is such that the light emitted from the six light-emitting elements 30 is reflected directly toward the front of the lamp.

[0052] By configuring the direct reflection area 44Ba and the re-reflection area 44Aa of the second reflector 44 to appear to shine with approximately uniform brightness in this manner, the visibility of the lamp can be improved.

[0053] As described above, according to this embodiment, the vehicle lamp 10 including the six light emitting elements 30 and the reflector 40 can improve its visibility.

[0054] Moreover, in this embodiment, the reflecting surface 44a of the second reflector 44 is configured such that the re-reflecting area 44Aa is located closer to the first reflector 42 than the direct reflecting area 44Ba, so the first reflector 42 can be located relatively close to the front side of the lamp relative to the six light-emitting elements 30. Therefore, the front-to-rear length of the entire reflector 40 can be shortened, and the vehicle lamp 10 can be made thinner.

[0055] Furthermore, the second reflector 44 has a re-reflection area 44Aa that is composed of a plurality of convex spherical reflective elements 44As (i.e., composed of a plurality of reflective elements formed in a convex curved shape with respect to the vertical direction, which is a direction that intersects with the required direction), and therefore the following effects can be obtained.

[0056] That is, the light emitted from the six light-emitting elements 30 reflected by the first reflector 42 can be efficiently reflected toward the front of the lamp in the upper region (i.e., the region closer to the first reflector 42) of each of the multiple reflecting elements 44As, and can be reflected toward the direct reflection region 44Ba in the lower region (i.e., the region closer to the direct reflection region 44Ba) of each of the multiple reflecting elements 44As, and can be re-reflected toward the front of the lamp in the direct reflection region 44Ba.

[0057] In particular, in this embodiment, since each of the multiple reflecting elements 44As is formed in a convex spherical shape, the reflected light from the first reflector 42 can be re-reflected as light that is sufficiently diffused not only in the vertical direction but also in the horizontal direction.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the direct reflection region 44Ba has a plurality of reflective elements 44Bs arranged in vertical stripes, and each of the plurality of reflective elements 44Bs is formed to extend in a convex cylindrical shape in the vertical direction, so that the reflected light from the first reflector 42 can be diffused in the horizontal direction. In this case, each of the plurality of reflective elements 44Bs is configured to reflect the direct light from each of the six light-emitting elements 30 as light that is diffused in the vertical and horizontal directions with a center point slightly upward from the front direction of the lamp, so that the downward reflected light from each of the plurality of reflective elements 44As that constitute the retroreflection region 44Aa can be retroreflected in a direction at a relatively small downward angle from the front direction of the lamp.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the required direction is set to a direction that bends and extends in a V shape when the lamp is viewed from the front, and the substrate 32 and the first and second reflectors 42, 44 are all formed to bend and extend in a V shape along the required direction, so that the second reflector 44 appears to shine in a V shape with a substantially uniform brightness when the lamp is viewed from the front. In this case, in this embodiment, the six light-emitting elements 30 are arranged with their light-emitting surfaces 30a facing the front of the lamp, so that they can easily be arranged in a V shape when mounted on a common substrate 32.

[0060] Moreover, the reflector 40 of this embodiment has a configuration in which the first reflector 42 and the second reflector 44 are integrally molded, so that the number of parts of the vehicle lamp 10 can be reduced, thereby reducing costs.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the vehicle lamp 10 is described as having six light-emitting elements 30, but it is also possible to have a configuration with five or fewer light-emitting elements 30 or seven or more light-emitting elements 30.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the vehicle lamp 10 is described as a tail lamp arranged on the right rear end face of the vehicle, but regardless of the location or function on the vehicle, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained by adopting a configuration similar to that in the above embodiment.

[0063] Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0064] First, a first modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0065] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a lighting unit 120 of a vehicle lighting device according to this modified example.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 4, the lamp unit 120 of this modified example has the same basic configuration as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the reflector 140 is partially different from that of the above embodiment.

[0067] That is, the reflector 140 of this modified example also has a configuration in which the first reflector 142 and the second reflector 144 are integrally molded, but differs from the above embodiment in that an additional reflective area 144Ca is additionally formed as the reflective surface 144a of the second reflector 144, extending from the front end position of the direct reflective area 144Ba toward the front of the lamp.

[0068] In addition, in the reflector 140 of this modified example, the surface shape of the reflective surface 142a of the first reflector 142 is the same as in the above embodiment, and the surface shape of the re-reflection area 144Aa of the reflective surface 144a of the second reflector 144 is the same as in the above embodiment, but the surface shape of the direct reflection area 144Ba is slightly different from that in the above embodiment.

[0069] That is, the direct reflection area 144Ba of this modified example is configured such that a plurality of reflective elements 144Bs are arranged on a concave cylindrical surface whose vertical cross-sectional shape is defined by a parabola whose focal point is the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 30 and whose axis is a straight line extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp. These plurality of reflective elements 144Bs are allocated to a plurality of areas that are divided into vertical stripes when viewed from the front of the lamp, and each of these areas is formed so as to extend in the shape of a convex cylindrical surface in the up-down direction. As a result, each of the plurality of reflective elements 144Bs is configured to reflect direct light from the light-emitting element 30 as light that is diffused to both the left and right sides toward the front of the lamp.

[0070] The additional reflective area 144Ca is formed by applying a mirror finish such as aluminum vapor deposition to a plane extending in a direction slightly inclined downward relative to the horizontal plane toward the front of the lamp. As a result, the additional reflective area 144Ca specularly reflects the direct light from the light emitting element 30 upward, and specularly reflects the light sequentially reflected by the lower end areas of the plurality of reflective elements 144As formed in the re-reflective area 144Aa and the plurality of reflective elements 144Bs formed in the direct reflective area 144Ba upward.

[0071] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, the direct reflection area 144Ba and the re-reflection area 144Aa of the second reflector 144 can be made to appear to glow with approximately uniform brightness, thereby improving the visibility of the lighting fixture.

[0072] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the following effects can be obtained.

[0073] That is, in the additional reflective area 144Ca, sequentially reflected light from the re-reflective area 144Aa and the direct reflective area 144Ba and direct light from the light emitting element 30 are specularly reflected upward, thereby sufficiently improving visibility from diagonally above and in front of the lamp.

[0074] Next, a second modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0075] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a lighting unit 220 of a vehicle lighting device according to this modified example.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 5, the basic configuration of the lamp unit 220 of this modified example is the same as that of the first modified example, but the configurations of the reflector 240 and the substrate 232 are partially different from those of the first modified example.

[0077] That is, the shape of reflector 240 of this modified example is similar to that of reflector 140 of the first modified example, but differs from that of the first modified example in that it is made of a white resin member.

[0078] That is, the reflector 240 of this modified example also has a configuration in which the first reflector 242 and the second reflector 244 are integrally molded, but differs from the first modified example in that the re-reflection area 244Aa, direct reflection area 244Ba and additional reflection area 244Ca that constitute the reflection surface 242a of the first reflector 242 and the reflection surface 244a of the second reflector 244 are not formed by applying a mirror finish such as aluminum vapor deposition, but are formed by the surface of the reflector 240 itself being a white, smooth surface.

[0079] Furthermore, the substrate 232 of this modified example has a configuration in which a white coating 234 is formed on its front surface (i.e., the mounting surface of the six light-emitting elements 30). This coating 234 can be formed, for example, from a resist layer or the like that covers copper foil (not shown) formed as a wiring pattern on the front surface of the substrate 232.

[0080] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, the direct reflection area 244Ba and the re-reflection area 244Aa of the second reflector 244 can be made to appear to glow with approximately uniform brightness, thereby improving the visibility of the lighting fixture.

[0081] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the following effects can be obtained.

[0082] That is, because the reflector 240 of this modified example is made of a white resin member, it is possible to make the reflected light from the first and second reflectors 242, 244 into uniformly diffused light. Therefore, the light that is reflected sequentially by the first and second reflectors 242, 244 and irradiated forward of the lamp, as well as the light that is irradiated directly forward of the lamp from the second reflector 244, can also be made into uniformly diffused light, thereby making it possible for the second reflector 244 to appear to shine with a more uniform brightness.

[0083] Furthermore, in this modified example, the mounting surface of the substrate 232 on which the light-emitting element 30 is mounted is made of a white coating 234, so that after being emitted from the light-emitting element 30, a portion of the light (the optical path of which is shown by a dashed line in the figure) is reflected as uniformly diffused light by the first reflector 242 is reflected again by the coating 234 as uniformly diffused light, and a further portion of this light can be reflected again in sequence by the first and second reflectors 242, 244, thereby further increasing the brightness of the lighting fixture.

[0084] In particular, in this modified example, the reflective surface 244a of the second reflector 244 has a surface shape that diffusely reflects the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30 at each of the plurality of reflective elements 244As formed in the re-reflection region 244Aa and the plurality of reflective elements 244Bs formed in the direct reflection region 244Ba, as in the case of the first modified example described above. Therefore, by making the reflector 240 out of a white resin member, uniform light emission from the second reflector 244 can be achieved even more effectively.

[0085] Next, a third modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0086] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a lighting unit 320 of a vehicle lighting device according to this modified example.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 6, the basic configuration of a lamp unit 320 of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of a reflector 340 is partially different from that of the above embodiment.

[0088] That is, reflector 340 of this modified example also has a configuration in which first reflector 342 and second reflector 344 are integrally molded, but the shape of the reflecting surface is different from that of the above embodiment.

[0089] Specifically, the first reflector 342 is configured to reflect the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30 downward when positioned further forward in the lamp than the light-emitting element 30, and its reflective surface 342a is configured as a concave cylindrical curved surface whose vertical cross-sectional shape is defined by a part of an ellipse whose first focus is the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 30 and whose second focus is a point located diagonally below the lamp.

[0090] Furthermore, the second reflector 344 is configured to, when disposed below the first reflector 342, reflect the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30 that has been reflected by the first reflector 342 toward the front of the lamp, and also to reflect the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30 directly toward the front of the lamp. In this case, the reflecting surface 344a of this second reflector 344 is configured such that a direct reflection area 344Ba that reflects the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30 directly toward the front of the lamp is disposed lower than a re-reflection area 344Aa that reflects the light reflected from the first reflector 342 toward the front of the lamp.

[0091] The re-reflection area 344Aa is formed by a concave cylindrical surface whose vertical cross-sectional shape is defined by a parabola whose focus is the second focus of the ellipse and whose axis is a straight line extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp. On the other hand, the direct reflection area 344Ba is formed by a concave cylindrical surface whose vertical cross-sectional shape is defined by a parabola whose focus is the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 30 and whose axis is a straight line extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp.

[0092] The reflecting surface 344a of the second reflector 344 is configured such that the lower edge of the re-reflecting area 344Aa and the upper edge of the direct reflecting area 344Ba are connected via a slight vertical step 344b.

[0093] A flange portion 346 for preventing direct light from the light emitting element 30 from entering the re-reflection region 344Aa is formed at the upper edge of the second reflector 344 so as to protrude toward the front of the lamp. As a result, the second reflector 344 is configured so that only reflected light from the first reflector 342 enters its re-reflection region 344Aa, while only direct light from the light emitting element 30 enters its direct reflection region 344Ba. As a result, the second reflector 344 reflects the light emitted from the light emitting element 30 as light that is diffused to both the left and right sides toward the front of the lamp in both the re-reflection region 344Aa and the direct reflection region 344Ba.

[0094] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, the direct reflection area 344Ba and the re-reflection area 344Aa of the second reflector 344 can be made to appear to glow with approximately uniform brightness, thereby improving the visibility of the lighting fixture.

[0095] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the following effects can be obtained.

[0096] That is, the lighting unit 320 of this modified example is configured so that all of its emitted light is emitted as parallel light in the front direction of the lighting fixture within a vertical plane, thereby particularly improving visibility from the front direction of the lighting fixture.

[0097] Next, a fourth modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0098] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a lighting unit 420 of a vehicle lighting device according to this modified example.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 7, the basic configuration of the lamp unit 420 of this modified example is the same as that of the third modified example, but the configurations of the reflector 440 and the substrate 432 are partially different from those of the third modified example.

[0100] That is, the shape of reflector 440 of this modified example is similar to that of reflector 340 of the third modified example, but differs from that of the third modified example in that it is made of a white resin member.

[0101] That is, the reflector 440 of this modified example also has a configuration in which the first reflector 442 and the second reflector 444 are integrally molded, but the re-reflection area 444Aa and the direct reflection area 444Ba that constitute the reflection surface 442a of the first reflector 442 and the reflection surface 444a of the second reflector 444 are not formed by applying a mirror finish such as aluminum vapor deposition, but are formed by the surface of the reflector 440 itself being a white, smooth surface, which is different from the case of the third modified example described above.

[0102] Furthermore, the substrate 432 of this modification has a white coating 434 formed on its front surface (that is, the surface on which the six light emitting elements 30 are mounted).

[0103] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, the direct reflection area 444Ba and the re-reflection area 444Aa of the second reflector 444 can be made to appear to glow with approximately uniform brightness, thereby improving the visibility of the lighting fixture.

[0104] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the following effects can be obtained.

[0105] That is, because reflector 440 of this modified example is made of a white resin member, it is possible to make the reflected light from first and second reflectors 442, 444 into uniformly diffused light. Therefore, it is possible to make the light that is reflected sequentially by first and second reflectors 442, 444 and irradiated forward of the lamp, and the light that is irradiated directly forward of the lamp from second reflector 444 into uniformly diffused light, which makes second reflector 444 appear to shine with a more uniform brightness.

[0106] Furthermore, in the substrate 432 of this modified example, the mounting surface for the light-emitting element 30 is made of a white coating 434, so that after being emitted from the light-emitting element 30, a portion of the light (the optical path of which is shown by a dashed line in the figure) that is reflected as uniformly diffused light by the upper surface of the flange portion 446 of the second reflector 444 can be re-reflected as uniformly diffused light by the coating 434, and a further portion of that light can be re-reflected sequentially by the first and second reflectors 442, 444, thereby further increasing the brightness of the lighting fixture.

[0107] It should be noted that the numerical values ​​shown as the specifications in the above embodiment and its modified examples are merely examples, and it goes without saying that these may be set to different values ​​as appropriate.

[0108] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiment and its modifications, and various other modified configurations can be adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 10 Vehicle lighting fixtures 12 Lamp body 14 Translucent cover 20, 120, 220, 320, 420 lighting unit 30 Light-emitting element 30a Light-emitting surface 32, 232, 432 board 40, 140, 240, 340, 440 reflector 42, 142, 242, 342, 442 First reflector 42a, 44a, 142a, 144a, 242a, 244a, 342a, 344a, 442a, 444a Reflective surface 44, 144, 244, 344, 444 Second reflector 44Aa, 144Aa, 244Aa, 344Aa, 444Aa Re-reflection area 44As, 44Bs, 144As, 144Bs, 244As, 244Bs Reflective Elements 44Ba, 144Ba, 244Ba, 344Ba, 444Ba Direct reflection area 46 Side wall 144Ca, 244Ca additional reflection area 234, 434 coating 344b Vertical step 346, 446 flange

Claims

1. In a vehicle lamp having a plurality of light-emitting elements and a reflector, The plurality of light-emitting elements are mounted on a common substrate in a state where they are spaced apart in a required direction intersecting the front-rear direction of the lamp, and with their light-emitting surfaces facing forward of the lamp; The reflector includes a first reflector that is disposed in front of the plurality of light-emitting elements and that reflects the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements in a direction intersecting the required direction, and a second reflector that reflects the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements that has been reflected by the first reflector toward the front of the lamp and also reflects the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements directly toward the front of the lamp, The reflective surface of the second reflector is configured such that a direct reflection area that reflects light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements directly toward the front of the lamp is positioned farther from the first reflector than a re-reflection area that reflects light reflected from the first reflector toward the front of the lamp.

2. 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the re-reflection area is made up of a plurality of reflective elements formed in a convex curved shape with respect to a direction intersecting the desired direction.

3. The required direction is set to a direction that bends and extends in a V-shape when the lamp is viewed from the front, 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the substrate and the first and second reflectors are all formed so as to extend in a V-shape along the required direction.

4. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the first and second reflectors are made of white resin.

5. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the substrate has a surface on which the plurality of light emitting elements are mounted that is white.

6. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the reflector is configured such that the first reflector and the second reflector are integrally molded.

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