Vehicular lamp

Abstract

To improve functionality while simplifying a structure by reducing the number of components.SOLUTION: A light source that emits light, and an optical functional body having a first incident surface and a second incident surface, the optical functional body being provided with a light guide portion that has a first emission surface from which the light incident from the first incident surface is emitted and guides the light incident from the first incident surface, and a light control portion that has a second emission surface from which the light incident from the second incident surface is emitted and controls the light incident from the second incident surface, light emitted from a light source is made incident on the first incident surface and the second incident surface, the light guide part and the light control part are integrally formed as respective parts of the optical function body, and light having different functions is emitted from the first emission surface and the second emission surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of a vehicle lamp in which light emitted from a light source is emitted from an optical function body. [Background technology]

[0002] Some vehicle lamps have a configuration in which a plurality of light sources, for example, two light sources, and an optical function body having a light guide section that guides the light are arranged inside a lamp outer casing formed by a cover and a lamp housing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1, the optical function body is formed with a first incident surface onto which light emitted from one light source is incident and a second incident surface onto which light emitted from the other light source is incident.

[0003] Light emitted from one light source enters the optical function body from the first incident surface and is guided in a predetermined direction while being totally reflected before being emitted from the first exit surface, while light emitted from the other light source enters the optical function body from the second incident surface, is transmitted through, and is emitted from the second exit surface. Therefore, light having different functions is emitted from the first exit surface and the second exit surface, respectively, eliminating the need for separate structures for emitting light having different functions, and enabling the structure to be simplified by reducing the number of parts while improving functionality. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6278510 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, in a configuration in which light having different functions is emitted by optical functional bodies as described above, it is possible to simplify the structure while improving functionality, but it is desirable to further simplify the structure by further reducing the number of parts.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp that simplifies the structure by reducing the number of parts and improves functionality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vehicle lamp according to the present invention comprises a light source that emits light, and an optical function body having a first incident surface and a second incident surface, the optical function body being provided with a light guide section having a first exit surface that emits light incident from the first incident surface and guiding the light incident from the first incident surface, and a light control section having a second exit surface that emits light incident from the second incident surface and controlling the light incident from the second incident surface, the light emitted from the light source being incident on the first incident surface and the second incident surface, the light guide section and the light control section being integrally formed as parts of the optical function body, and light with different functions being emitted from the first exit surface and the second exit surface.

[0008] As a result, each part of the light emitted from the light source is guided by the light guide section and controlled by the light control section, and is emitted as light with different functions from the first and second emission surfaces. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, each portion of the light emitted from the light source is guided by the light guiding section and controlled by the light control section, and is emitted as light with different functions from the first exit surface and the second exit surface, so that the light source is standardized, the structure is simplified by reducing the number of parts, and functionality is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]2 to 6 show an embodiment of the vehicle lamp of the present invention, and this figure is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lamp unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lamp unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an optical function body, a substrate, and a light source. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between an optical function body and a light source. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view showing an optical function body, a holder, a first inner lens, and a substrate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] In the following, the front, rear, up, down, left and right directions will be described assuming that the direction of light emitted from the vehicle lamp is the front. However, the front, rear, up, down, left and right directions shown below are for the convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not limited to these directions in terms of implementation.

[0013] The vehicle lamp 1 has the functions of two different types of lamps, for example, as a tail lamp and a side marker lamp. Therefore, in this case, the front of the lamp is the rear of the vehicle, and the rear of the lamp is the front of the vehicle. However, the vehicle lamp 1 is not limited to a type that functions as a tail lamp and a side marker lamp, and may be a type that functions as another type of lamp as long as it has the functions of two different lamps. For example, the vehicle lamp 1 may function as a clearance lamp and a side marker lamp (front side marker lamp). In this case, the front of the lamp is the front of the vehicle, and the rear of the lamp is the rear of the vehicle.

[0014] The vehicle lamp 1 comprises a lamp housing 2 having an opening at the front end and a cover 3 that closes the opening of the lamp housing 2 (see Figure 1). The lamp housing 2 and the cover 3 form a lamp outer casing 4, and the internal space of the lamp outer casing 4 forms a lamp chamber 5.

[0015] A lamp unit 6 is disposed in the lamp chamber 5, and a part of the lamp unit 6, for example, the outer periphery thereof, is shielded by an extension 7.

[0016] The lamp unit 6 has an optical function body 8, a holder 9, a first inner lens 10, a second inner lens 11, a substrate 12, and a light source 13 (see FIGS. 1 to 3).

[0017] The optical function body 8 is formed by integrally forming each part from, for example, a colorless and transparent resin material, and is formed into a shape extending in a predetermined direction, for example, approximately in the left-right direction. The optical function body 8 has a light incident part 14 provided at one end in the longitudinal direction, a light guiding part 15 continuous with the light incident part 14, and a light control part 16 provided continuous with one end in the longitudinal direction of the light guiding part 15 (see Figures 4 and 5). The light incident part 14, the light guiding part 15, and the light control part 16 are integrally formed in the optical function body 8.

[0018] The light incident portion 14 is formed in the shape of a plate facing substantially in the left-right direction, and has a recess 17 that opens in the thickness direction at a position near the upper end. The light incident portion 14 is formed with a first incident surface 18 and a second incident surface 19.

[0019] The first incident surface 18 has, for example, an upper light incident portion 18a and a lower light incident portion 18b. The upper light incident portion 18a and the lower light incident portion 18b are formed, for example, in a substantially circular shape. Note that the light incident portion 14 may be formed with only the upper light incident portion 18a.

[0020] The second incident surface 19 is formed as a part of the innermost surface of the recess 17, and is located near the upper light incident portion 18a. Since the second incident surface 19 is formed as a part of the innermost surface of the recess 17, an arcuate surface is formed between the upper light incident portion 18a and the second incident surface 19, and this arcuate surface is formed as the auxiliary incident surface 20.

[0021] The light incident portion 14 has a diffusion step 21 formed in a part of the periphery of the first incident surface 18. The diffusion step 21 is formed, for example, on the front side of the first incident surface 18, and is formed, for example, as a cylindrical step.

[0022] A pair of first positioning protrusions 22 protruding laterally are provided at both the upper and lower ends of the light incident portion 14. A plurality of, for example, four second positioning protrusions 23 protruding laterally are provided at a distance in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the light incident portion 14. The protrusion amount of the second positioning protrusions 23 is smaller than the protrusion amount of the first positioning protrusions 22.

[0023] A notch that opens rearward is formed at the rear end of the light incident portion 14, and this notch serves as the insertion portion 24. The insertion portion 24 may be a hole instead of a notch.

[0024] Light guide section 15 is provided contiguous with light incident section 14 and is a section that guides light incident from first incident surface 18. Light guide section 15 has upper section 15a that guides light incident from upper light incident section 18a and lower section 15b that guides light incident from lower light incident section 18b. Upper section 15a and lower section 15b are formed, for example, in a substantially round shaft shape. Note that light guide section 15 may be composed of only upper section 15a.

[0025] The rear surface of light-guiding section 15 is formed as a total reflection surface on which reflection steps (not shown) are formed. The front surface of light-guiding section 15 is formed as first emission surface 25 from which light totally reflected (internal reflection) by the reflection steps is emitted.

[0026] The light control section 16 is a section that controls the light incident from the second incident surface 19, and is provided continuously above the upper side 15a of the light guide section 15. The rear surface of the light control section 16 is formed as an internal reflection surface 26 and has total reflection steps 26a. The front surface of the light control section 16 is formed as a second exit surface 27 from which light that has been totally reflected (internally reflected) by the internal reflection surface 26 is emitted. Scattering steps 27a that diffuse the emitted light are formed on the second exit surface 27. In the light control section 16, for example, the internal reflection surface 26 is inclined so that it approaches the second exit surface 27 as it moves away from the light incident section 14.

[0027] The holder 9 is made of, for example, a milky white resin material and has the function of holding the optical function body 8 from the rear side (see FIGS. 1 to 3). The holder 9 is formed in a shape that extends, for example, in the substantially left-right direction along the optical function body 8, and has a mounting boss 28 that protrudes laterally at one end in the longitudinal direction. A total reflection step may be formed in the holder 9 at a position facing the light guide section 15.

[0028] The first inner lens 10 is formed, for example, from a colorless and transparent resin material, and is positioned so as to cover the optical function body 8 from the front side. The first inner lens 10 is formed, for example, in a shape extending substantially in the left-right direction along the optical function body 8, and has a control step 10a that diffuses light emitted from the first emission surface 25 of the light guide section 15. The first inner lens 10 is attached to the holder 9 by engagement, screwing, or the like, and is positioned so as to cover the optical function body 8 from the front side.

[0029] The second inner lens 11 is formed from a colored and transparent, for example, red, resin material, and is positioned so as to cover the first inner lens 10 from the front side. The second inner lens 11 is formed in a shape that extends, for example, substantially in the left-right direction along the first inner lens 10. The second inner lens 11 is positioned between the cover 3 and the first inner lens 10. Therefore, when the vehicle lamp 1 is viewed from the outside, the red second inner lens 11 is visible through the cover 3, improving the design. The second inner lens 11 is attached to the holder 9 by engagement, screwing, or the like, and is positioned so as to cover the first inner lens 10 from the front side.

[0030] For example, two light sources 13 are mounted on one surface of the substrate 12. The two light sources 13 include a first light source 13A on the upper side and a second light source 13B on the lower side. Note that the vehicle lamp 1 may be provided with only the first light source 13A on the upper side. Two positioning holes 12a and one protrusion insertion hole 12b are formed in the substrate 12. For example, a light emitting diode (LED) is used as the light source 13, and the light source 13 emits, for example, red light.

[0031] The substrate 12 is positioned relative to the light incident portion 14 of the optical function body 8 (see FIGS. 3 and 6). The substrate 12 is positioned relative to the light incident portion 14 by inserting the first positioning protrusions 22 into the two positioning holes 12a, respectively, and abutting the second positioning protrusions 23 against one surface in the thickness direction. The substrate 12 is positioned relative to the light incident portion 14 in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the substrate 12 by inserting the first positioning protrusions 22 into the positioning holes 12a, and is positioned relative to the light incident portion 14 in the thickness direction by abutting the second positioning protrusions 23 against one surface in the thickness direction.

[0032] The substrate 12 is attached to the optical function body 8 and the holder 9 by inserting the mounting screws 50 into the protrusion insertion holes 12b while the substrate 12 is positioned at the light incident portion 14 and then screwing them into the mounting bosses 28.

[0033] As described above, in the vehicle lamp 1, the light incident portion 14 is formed with an insertion portion 24, the substrate 12 is formed with a positioning hole 12a through which the first positioning protrusion 22 is inserted, and the holder 9 is provided with a mounting boss 28 that is inserted into the insertion portion 24 and to which the substrate 12 is attached.

[0034] Therefore, the substrate 12 is positioned relative to the optical function body 8 with the first positioning protrusion 22 inserted into the positioning hole 12a, and the substrate 12 is attached to the holder 9 with the mounting boss 28 inserted into the insertion portion 24. This allows the optical function body 8 to be attached to the holder 9 via the substrate 12, ensuring a stable holding state of the holder 9 relative to the optical function body 8.

[0035] When the substrate 12 is positioned and attached to the light incident portion 14, the upper first light source 13A mounted on the substrate 12 is positioned opposite the upper light incident portion 18a and the second incident surface 19, straddling the upper light incident portion 18a and the second incident surface 19, and the lower second light source 13B mounted on the substrate 12 is positioned opposite the lower light incident portion 18b (see Figure 5).

[0036] In the vehicle lamp 1 configured as described above, light is emitted simultaneously from the first light source 13A and the second light source 13B.

[0037] When light is emitted from first light source 13A, a portion of the emitted light is incident from upper light entrance portion 18a of first incident surface 18 and second incident surface 19 into upper portion 15a of light guide unit 15 and light control unit 16. At this time, the incidence ratio of the light emitted from first light source 13A to upper light entrance portion 18a is set to, for example, 20% to 40%, and the incidence ratio of the light emitted from first light source 13A to second incident surface 19 is set to, for example, 80% to 60%.

[0038] Therefore, the ratio of the total light emitted from the first light source 13A and the second light source 13B incident on the first incident surface 18 is, for example, 60% to 70%, and the ratio of the total light emitted from the first light source 13A and the second light source 13B incident on the second incident surface 19 is, for example, 40% to 30%.

[0039] In the vehicle lamp 1, only the first light source 13A may be provided as the light source 13, the first incident surface 18 may be formed by only the upper light incident portion 18a, and the light guiding portion 15 may be formed by only the upper portion 15a. In this case, it is desirable that the proportion of the light emitted from the first light source 13A that is incident on the upper light incident portion 18a be, for example, 60% to 70%, and the proportion of the light emitted from the first light source 13A that is incident on the second incident surface 19 be, for example, 40% to 30%.

[0040] Light incident on upper portion 15a is guided by upper portion 15a and emitted from first emission surface 25 as light of a first function, for example, a tail lamp. Note that, as the first function, light of a clearance lamp may also be emitted from first emission surface 25. In this case, in vehicle lamp 1, first incident surface 18 and second incident surface 19 are formed at different positions in the emission direction of light from light source 13, and auxiliary incident surface 20 is formed between first incident surface 18 and second incident surface 19, onto which a portion of the light emitted from light source 13 is incident.

[0041] Therefore, when light is emitted from first light source 13A, the light also enters light-guiding section 15 from auxiliary incident surface 20, and so the light emitted from first light source 13A enters light-guiding section 15 from both first incident surface 18 and auxiliary incident surface 20. This makes it possible to effectively utilize the light emitted from first light source 13A, increasing the amount of light entering light-guiding section 15 and enabling light to be emitted from first exit surface 25 with high brightness.

[0042] The light emitted from the first exit surface 25 is diffused by the control step 10a of the first inner lens 10, transmitted through the second inner lens 11 and the cover 3, and irradiated mainly from the front of the lamp (the X-axis direction shown in Figure 3) to the side of the lamp (the Y-axis direction shown in Figure 3).

[0043] On the other hand, the light incident on the second incident surface 19 is totally reflected by the total reflection step 26a of the internal reflection surface 26 in the light control unit 16, and is emitted from the second emission surface 27 as light for a second function, for example, a side marker lamp (rear side marker lamp). Note that light for a front side marker lamp may also be emitted from the second emission surface 27 as the second function. In this case, the light emitted from the second emission surface 27 is diffused by the scattering step 27a and the control step 10a of the first inner lens 10, and is transmitted through the second inner lens 11 and the cover 3 to be irradiated mainly from the front of the lamp toward the sides of the lamp.

[0044] Furthermore, light emitted from second light source 13B is incident from lower light entrance portion 18b of first incident surface 18 to lower portion 15b of light-guiding portion 15. The light incident on lower portion 15b is guided by lower portion 15b and is emitted from first exit surface 25 as, for example, light of a tail lamp.

[0045] The light emitted from the first exit surface 25 is diffused by the control step 10a of the first inner lens 10, transmitted through the second inner lens 11 and the cover 3, and irradiated mainly from the front of the lamp toward the side of the lamp.

[0046] When light is emitted from the first light source 13A and the second light source 13B as described above, there is a possibility that the light will reach the periphery of the first incident surface 18, but a diffusion step 21 is formed around at least a portion of the periphery of the first incident surface 18.

[0047] Therefore, when light reaches the diffusion steps 21 formed around the first incident surface 18, the light is reflected in a diffused state by the diffusion steps 21, thereby preventing the occurrence of so-called point light, in which light is concentrated in a small area and becomes highly visible.

[0048] As described above, in the vehicle lamp 1, the optical function body 8 is provided with a light guide section 15 having a first exit surface 25 and guiding light incident from the first entrance surface 18, and a light control section 16 having a second exit surface 27 and controlling light incident from the second entrance surface 19, and light emitted from the light source 13 (13A) is incident on the first entrance surface 18 and the second entrance surface 19 at a predetermined ratio, and the light guide section 15 and the light control section 16 are integrally formed as each part of the optical function body 8, and light with different functions is emitted from the first exit surface 25 and the second exit surface 27.

[0049] Therefore, light guide 15 and light control section 16 are integrally formed as parts of optical function body 8, and light is incident from one light source 13 (first light source 13A) to light guide 15 and light control section 16. As a result, each part of the light emitted from first light source 13A is guided by light guide 15 and controlled by light control section 16 to be emitted as light with different functions from first emission surface 25 and second emission surface 27, so that first light source 13A is shared, and the structure can be simplified by reducing the number of parts, while functionality can be improved.

[0050] Furthermore, the manufacturing cost of the vehicle lamp 1 can be reduced by simplifying the structure through a reduction in the number of parts.

[0051] Furthermore, one end of the optical function body 8 is provided as a light incident section 14 having a first incident surface 18 and a second incident surface 19, and the light incident section 14, the light guide section 15 and the light control section 16 are integrally formed.

[0052] Therefore, the number of parts in the vehicle lamp 1 is further reduced and the structure of the optical function body 8 is simplified, thereby enabling the manufacturing costs of the vehicle lamp 1 to be further reduced while improving functionality.

[0053] Furthermore, the light incident portion 14 is provided with a first positioning protrusion 22 and a second positioning protrusion 23 for positioning the substrate 12 relative to the optical function body 8 in different directions.

[0054] Therefore, since various parts are provided to position the substrate 12 on which the light source 13 is mounted on the light incident section 14 having the first incident surface 18 and the second incident surface 19, the first incident surface 18 and the second incident surface 19 are positioned close to the light source 13, and the incidence ratio of the light emitted from the light source 13 onto the first incident surface 18 and the second incident surface 19 can be maintained with high precision. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1 Vehicle lighting fixtures 8 Optical functional body 12 PCB 13 Light source 13A First light source 14 Light incidence part 15 Light guide section 16 Optical control section 18 First entrance surface 19 Second entrance surface 20 Auxiliary entrance surface 21 Diffusion Step 22 First positioning protrusion 23 Second positioning protrusion 25 first exit surface 27 Second exit surface

Claims

1. A light source that emits light; an optical function body having a first entrance surface and a second entrance surface; the optical function body is provided with a light guide section having a first exit surface that emits light incident from the first incident surface and that guides the light incident from the first incident surface, and a light control section having a second exit surface that emits light incident from the second incident surface and that controls the light incident from the second incident surface, light emitted from the light source is incident on the first incident surface and the second incident surface, the light guide section and the light control section are integrally formed as parts of the optical function body, Light having different functions is emitted from the first and second exit surfaces. Vehicle lighting fixtures.

2. the first incident surface and the second incident surface are formed at different positions in an emission direction of light from the light source, The light guide portion has an auxiliary incident surface formed between the first incident surface and the second incident surface, onto which a part of the light emitted from the light source is incident.

2. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

3. A diffusion step is formed around at least a portion of the periphery of the first entrance surface.

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

4. one end of the optical functional body is provided as a light incident portion having the first incident surface and the second incident surface, The light incident portion, the light guide portion, and the light control portion are integrally formed.

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

5. the light source is mounted on a substrate; The light incident portion is provided with a first positioning protrusion and a second positioning protrusion for positioning the substrate relative to the optical functional body in different directions.

5. A vehicle lamp according to claim 4.

Images