Vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

To provide a vehicle lamp that can function as a radar unit and improve appearance. [Solution] A vehicle lamp (10) comprises a radar unit (12) that detects objects using electromagnetic waves of a predetermined wavelength, a phosphor section (14) that is located in front of the radar unit (12) in the axial direction and that transmits the electromagnetic waves from the radar unit (12), and an excitation light source section (15) that is located so as not to overlap with the radar unit (12) in the axial direction and that irradiates the phosphor section (14) with excitation light (Le) that excites the phosphor section (14).

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] It is known that vehicles use radar units that use electromagnetic waves of a predetermined wavelength to detect surrounding objects, etc., and it has been considered to hide the radar units (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In these vehicles, the radar units are covered with opaque cover members or transparent lens members with lens steps, which prevents the radar units from being directly visible and improves the appearance of the locations where the radar units are installed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-13320 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-112231 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, both of the above-mentioned prior arts require the external placement of a member to cover the radar unit, which limits the freedom of design in terms of the appearance of the area where the radar unit is installed in the vehicle.Furthermore, both of the above-mentioned prior arts require the provision of a location solely for the installation of the radar unit, which also limits the freedom of design in terms of the functionality of the vehicle.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a vehicle lamp that can function as a radar unit while improving its appearance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle lamp of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising: a radar unit that detects objects using electromagnetic waves of a predetermined wavelength; a phosphor section that is located in front of the radar unit in the axial direction and that transmits the electromagnetic waves from the radar unit; and an excitation light source section that is located so as not to overlap with the radar unit in the axial direction and that irradiates the phosphor section with excitation light that excites the phosphor section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the vehicle lamp of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the appearance while allowing the lamp to function as a radar unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a vehicle lamp according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is installed. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an exploded configuration of a vehicle lamp. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a cross section taken along line II shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the vehicle lamp is viewed from the front side in the axial direction. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 4 showing a state in which the vehicle lamp is turned on. FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 4 showing a case where a filter member is not provided in a vehicle lamp. [Figure 7] 4 is an explanatory view showing a vehicular lamp according to another embodiment in the same cross section as FIG. 3. [Figure 8] 8 is an explanatory view showing a vehicular lamp according to another embodiment in the same cross section as in FIGS. 3 and 7. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 to Fig. 6 are simplified to make it easier to understand the differences in appearance from the front, but do not necessarily correspond to the actual appearance. In Fig. 4 and Fig. 6, the phosphor layer 22 of the phosphor section 14 that is not lit is shown in a light color, while Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 show the lit phosphor layer 22 in white. (Embodiment 1)

[0010] A vehicle lamp 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, which is one embodiment of the vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. The vehicle lamp 10 is used as a lamp for vehicles such as automobiles, and is used, for example, as a headlamp, fog lamp, daytime running lamp, clearance lamp, stop lamp, tail lamp, etc. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lamp 10 according to the first embodiment is used in a tail lamp unit of a vehicle 1. In the following description, the direction of travel of the vehicle 1 when reversing and traveling straight ahead is defined as the axial direction of the vehicle lamp 10 (denoted as Z in the drawings), and the reversing side is defined as the front side of the axial direction. The axial direction in this disclosure is the direction in which the vehicle lamp 10 is pointed, and is the direction when viewed from the front. Therefore, the axial direction in this disclosure changes relative to the vehicle 1 depending on where the vehicle lamp 10 is used on the vehicle 1. In addition, the up-down direction when mounted on a vehicle is the up-down direction (Y in the drawings), and the direction perpendicular to the axial direction and the up-down direction is the width direction (X in the drawings).

[0011] The vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment is illuminated as needed to alert following vehicles and pedestrians to the presence of the vehicle 1 on which it is mounted as a tail lamp unit. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the vehicle lamp 10 includes a housing 11 (shown only in FIG. 3), a radar unit 12, a filter member 13, a phosphor section 14, an excitation light source section 15, and an outer lens 16. The radar unit 12, the filter member 13, the phosphor section 14, and the outer lens 16 are positioned so as to overlap in the axial direction. The housing 11 is formed of a material that blocks light transmission, and the outer lens 16 is provided at its front end to form a lamp chamber 17 (see FIG. 3). The vehicle lamp 10 configures a tail lamp unit (see FIG. 1) by arranging the components (reference numerals 11 to 16) at both ends of the rear of the vehicle in the assembled state shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. A bracket 18 is provided on the front side of the housing 11 in the direction of light emission. The bracket 18 supports the radar unit 12 and fixes the radar unit 12 in the lamp chamber 17 .

[0012] The radar unit 12 includes a transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna, and a control unit for controlling them all, all housed in a housing. The radar unit 12 of the first embodiment is a millimeter-wave radar unit that transmits electromagnetic waves (millimeter waves) from the transmitting antenna. The radar unit 12 transmits electromagnetic waves from the transmitting antenna within a predetermined spread angle range and receives the reflected waves reflected by an object present within the transmission range via the receiving antenna (arrow Ae in FIG. 3). The radar unit 12 processes the received signals using a control device to detect the distance, angle, speed, etc., of the object. The radar unit 12 can use millimeter waves in the range of 76 GHz to 81 GHz, for example, but is not limited to this frequency band. The radar unit 12 can use a pulse system or a continuous wave (CW) system as a radar system, or other systems. The radar unit 12 can also use a mechanical scanning system, a beam switching system, a phased array system, a digital forming system, or other systems as an antenna system.

[0013] The filter member 13 is formed of a material having optical properties that allow electromagnetic waves used by the radar unit 12 to pass through while allowing light of certain wavelengths to pass through while blocking light of other wavelengths. The filter member 13 is optically configured to pass the excitation light Le (light in that wavelength band) from the excitation light source unit 15 and block light of wavelengths that are transmitted by the outer lens 16. The filter member 13 in the first embodiment is a blue, transparent material that passes light in the blue wavelength band of visible light while blocking light in wavelength bands other than blue. Here, the outer lens 16, as described below, passes light in the red wavelength band while blocking light in wavelength bands other than red. The filter member 13 is positioned on the axial front side of the radar unit 12 and is sized to cover the entire radar unit 12 when viewed at least from the axial front side.

[0014] The phosphor section 14 forms a lighted portion of the vehicle lamp 10. The phosphor section 14 of the first embodiment has a transparent base material 21 and a phosphor layer 22 provided thereon. The base material 21 is used to arrange the phosphor layer 22 in any shape, and is made of a transparent material that transmits light and is also transparent to the electromagnetic waves used by the radar unit 12. The base material 21 can be made of glass, PC (polycarbonate), acrylic resin (PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate)), silicon, or the like, and other materials may also be used.

[0015] The phosphor layer 22 is the portion that lights up, and in the first embodiment, it is formed by applying a phosphor material to the substrate 21 in a desired shape and then fixing it. Therefore, the phosphor layer 22 is visible in the phosphor portion 14. The phosphor layer 22 in the first embodiment has an inner layer portion 22a, an intermediate layer portion 22b, and an outer layer portion 22c, which are arranged in this order from the inside to the outside of the vehicle 1 in the width direction. The inner layer portion 22a has a shape that increases vertically from the inside to the outside, and its outer end is recessed at its vertical center. The intermediate layer portion 22b has a linear shape that extends vertically while bending along the recess at the outer end of the inner layer portion 22a. The outer layer portion 22c has a linear shape that extends vertically while bending along the recess in the intermediate layer portion 22b. The shape of the phosphor layer 22 can be appropriately determined depending on the application of the vehicle lamp 10, and is not limited to the example of the first embodiment.

[0016] The phosphor layer 22 is made of a phosphor material selected according to the intended use, i.e., the phosphor layer 22 is designed to emit light of a color required for the vehicle lamp 10. Specifically, when irradiated with excitation light Le from the excitation light source unit 15, the phosphor layer 22 absorbs the excitation light Le and emits light of a different wavelength from the excitation light Le (hereinafter referred to as emitted light Ll). Since the vehicle lamp 10 is used as a tail lamp, the phosphor layer 22 of the first embodiment is designed to emit red emitted light Ll having a center of distribution in a wavelength band from 600 nm to 650 nm. Note that the phosphor layer 22 is not limited to the example of the first embodiment, as long as the phosphor material is selected so as to emit emitted light Ll of a color (wavelength band) required for the vehicle lamp 10.

[0017] The excitation light source unit 15 emits excitation light Le that excites the phosphor layer 22 of the phosphor unit 14, and includes a light source 23 and a substrate 24 on which the light source 23 is mounted. The light source 23 is configured with a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The light source 23 of the first embodiment is capable of emitting blue excitation light Le having a wavelength band of 450 nm as the excitation light Le matched to the phosphor layer 22. The excitation light source unit 15 irradiates the phosphor layer 22 with the excitation light Le from the light source 23, thereby exciting the phosphor layer 22 and causing it to emit luminescent light Ll.

[0018] The substrate 24 is a plate-shaped aluminum substrate. The substrate 24 may be made of a resin material such as a glass epoxy substrate, or may be made of other materials. The substrate 24 is provided with a wiring pattern and connector terminals for electrically connecting the light source 23. The substrate 24 receives appropriate power from a lighting control circuit via the connector terminals to appropriately light the light source 23. The substrate 24 is attached to a heat sink made of, for example, a thermally conductive aluminum plate, aluminum die-cast, or resin. The heat sink may be provided with, for example, multiple heat dissipation fins, and may mainly dissipate heat generated by the light source 23 to the outside through the heat dissipation fins.

[0019] The excitation light source section 15 is disposed at a position that does not overlap with the radar unit 12 in the axial direction and that allows the excitation light Le to be irradiated onto the phosphor layer 22 of the phosphor section 14. Therefore, the excitation light source section 15 is disposed so as to avoid the path of the electromagnetic waves used by the radar unit 12. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the excitation light source section 15 of the first embodiment is disposed above the radar unit 12 in the vertical direction and at a position that allows the excitation light Le to be irradiated onto the phosphor layer 22.

[0020] 2 and 3, the excitation light source unit 15 has a single light source 23, but a plurality of light sources may be provided, and the configuration is not limited to that shown in Fig. 2 and 3. The excitation light source unit 15 may be any unit that emits excitation light Le that excites the phosphor layer 22, and is not limited to the configuration of embodiment 1. Furthermore, the excitation light source unit 15 may be provided at another position as long as it can irradiate the phosphor layer 22 with excitation light Le while avoiding the path of the electromagnetic waves of the radar unit 12, and is not limited to the configuration of embodiment 1.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the outer lens 16 is a cover member that forms the outer surface of the vehicle lamp 10. The outer lens 16 is disposed opposite the phosphor section 14 and is made of a transparent material, such as a resin material, that transmits the emitted light Ll from the phosphor section 14 and the electromagnetic waves from the radar unit 12. Because the vehicle lamp 10 is used as a tail lamp, the outer lens 16 of the first embodiment is a red transparent material that transmits visible light in the red wavelength range while blocking light in non-red wavelength ranges. This allows the outer lens 16 to block the transmission of excitation light Le from the excitation light source section 15 that is not absorbed by the phosphor layer 22 or that travels directly. The outer lens 16 can also block the transmission of light in non-red wavelength ranges, even for the emitted light Ll from the phosphor section 14, thereby further enhancing the red light of the emitted light Ll. For these reasons, the outer lens 16 transmits light in the red wavelength band of the emitted light Ll from the phosphor section 14, making the phosphor layer 22 of the phosphor section 14 appear to glow redder.

[0022] Next, we will explain the operation of the vehicle lamp 10. First, when the excitation light source unit 15 of the vehicle lamp 10 is not lit, the phosphor layer 22 of the phosphor unit 14 is visible through the outer lens 16, as shown in Figures 1 and 4. At this time, the phosphor layer 22 is visible through the outer lens 16, and therefore appears red.

[0023] Furthermore, when the excitation light source unit 15 of the vehicle lamp 10 is turned on, blue excitation light Le from the light source 23 irradiates the phosphor layer 22 of the phosphor unit 14, as shown in FIG. 3. The phosphor layer 22 is then excited and emits red luminescent light Ll. This luminescent light Ll is emitted to the outside through the outer lens 16, and as shown in FIG. 5, the phosphor layer 22 appears to glow. At this time, the phosphor layer 22 appears to glow red because it passes through the outer lens 16. For these reasons, the vehicle lamp 10 can function as a tail lamp.

[0024] Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment is capable of detecting the distance, angle, speed, etc., of an object using the radar unit 12, regardless of whether the excitation light source section 15 is lit or not. This is because the filter member 13, the phosphor section 14, and the outer lens 16 are provided axially in front of the radar unit 12 in the vehicle lamp 10, all of which transmit electromagnetic waves from the radar unit 12. The excitation light source section 15 appropriately lights up the light source 23 mounted on the substrate 24. If the excitation light source section 15 were located in front of the radar unit 12, it could affect the electromagnetic waves from the radar unit 12. However, the excitation light source section 15 is located in a position that does not overlap with the radar unit 12 in the axial direction, thereby preventing blocking of electromagnetic waves. The excitation light source section 15 is located in a position that allows it to irradiate the excitation light Le onto the phosphor layer 22 of the phosphor section 14, even if it does not overlap with the radar unit 12 in the axial direction. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can function as a tail lamp by making the phosphor layer 22 glow red, and can also function as the radar unit 12.

[0025] In this way, the vehicle lamp 10 has the phosphor layer 22 of the phosphor section 14 disposed axially forward of the radar unit 12, i.e., the phosphor layer 22 and the radar unit 12 are positioned so as to overlap in the axial direction, allowing the radar unit 12 to be hidden behind the phosphor layer 22. As a result, when looking into the outer lens 16 of the vehicle lamp 10, attention is drawn to the phosphor layer 22, making it possible to make the radar unit 12 less noticeable. Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 10 has an outer lens 16 that transmits red light while blocking the transmission of light in wavelength bands other than red, so that even without the action of the filter member 13 described below, the radar unit 12 can be made almost invisible, as shown in FIG. 6 .

[0026] Additionally, the vehicle lamp 10 includes a filter member 13 between the radar unit 12 and the phosphor section 14. The filter member 13 has an optical configuration that blocks the transmission of light of wavelengths that are transmitted by the outer lens 16. In the first embodiment, the filter member 13 is a transparent blue member, and the outer lens 16 is a transparent red member. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can block the transmission of visible light by passing it through the filter member 13 and the outer lens 16. As a result, even when looking into the outer lens 16 from the outside, the vehicle lamp 10 can have a completely black appearance behind the filter member 13 in the axial direction. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the vehicle lamp 10 can have a completely black appearance behind the phosphor section 14, completely hiding the radar unit 12. Additionally, in the vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment, the excitation light source section 15 is also disposed behind the filter member 13, so that the excitation light source section 15 can also be completely hidden. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 10, the filter member 13 appears as a black wall in the lamp chamber 17, which appears red overall, and the red phosphor layer 22 appears to be floating in front of it. This makes use of the optical action of the outer lens 16 and the filter member 13, and does not affect whether the phosphor section 14 is lit or not, or whether the radar unit 12 is activated or not.

[0027] Conventional vehicle lamps have attempted to prevent the radar unit from being directly visible by covering the radar unit with an opaque cover member or a transparent lens member with fine lens steps. However, these vehicle lamps position the opaque cover member or the lens member with the lens steps on the outside solely to conceal the radar unit. As a result, these vehicle lamps limit the freedom of design in terms of the appearance of the area where the radar unit is installed. Furthermore, these vehicle lamps have opaque cover members or lens members with lens steps that serve no other function than to conceal the radar unit, but rather provide a location for installing the radar unit. As a result, these vehicle lamps also limit the freedom of design in terms of the vehicle's functionality.

[0028] In contrast, the vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment has the phosphor section 14 disposed in front of the radar unit 12 as described above, and irradiates the phosphor section 14 with excitation light Le from the excitation light source section 15, which is positioned so as not to overlap the radar unit 12 in the axial direction. This allows the vehicle lamp 10 to simultaneously achieve both the detection function of the radar unit 12 and the function of a tail lamp using the phosphor section 14. Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 10 can completely hide the radar unit 12 while revealing only the phosphor layer 22, which also has a decorative aspect, so that the vehicle lamp 10 has the appearance of a lamp while also possessing the function of the radar unit 12. Furthermore, the shape formed by the phosphor layer 22 and the color of the emitted light Ll can be appropriately set in the vehicle lamp 10, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the appearance of the design. As a result, the vehicle lamp 10 combines the detection function of the radar unit 12 with the function of a tail lamp of the phosphor section 14, and can completely hide the radar unit 12, leaving only the phosphor layer 22 visible, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in design in terms of both appearance and functionality.

[0029] The vehicle lamp 10 as an example according to the present disclosure can provide the following effects.

[0030] The vehicle lamp 10 includes a radar unit 12 that detects objects using electromagnetic waves of a predetermined wavelength, and a phosphor section 14 that is located axially forward of the radar unit 12 and transmits the electromagnetic waves from the radar unit 12. The vehicle lamp 10 also includes an excitation light source section 15 that is located so as not to overlap with the radar unit 12 in the axial direction and that irradiates the phosphor section 14 with excitation light Le that excites the phosphor section 14. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can ensure the detection function of the radar unit 12 while concealing the radar unit 12 with the phosphor section 14, allowing the phosphor section 14 to function as a tail lamp. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can function as the radar unit 12 while improving its appearance by making the phosphor section 14 visible.

[0031] Furthermore, the phosphor section 14 of the vehicle lamp 10 has a transparent substrate 21 and a phosphor layer 22 provided thereon. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can have the phosphor layer 22 in any shape while allowing only the phosphor layer 22 to be seen, thereby improving the appearance while hiding the radar unit 12 and providing flexibility in the lamp's functionality.

[0032] Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 10 has the phosphor layer 22 on the axial front side of the base material 21, and the base material 21 is configured to transmit at least the excitation light Le. Therefore, even if the excitation light source unit 15 is provided on the axial rear side of the base material 21, the vehicle lamp 10 can irradiate the excitation light Le onto the phosphor layer 22 on the front side of the base material 21. This allows the vehicle lamp 10 to have a greater degree of freedom in the arrangement of the excitation light source unit 15.

[0033] The vehicle lamp 10 further includes an outer lens 16 that is positioned axially forward of the phosphor section 14 and serves as a cover member that covers the entire phosphor section 14. The outer lens 16 transmits electromagnetic waves from the radar unit 12 and blocks light in a certain wavelength band of visible light, and also transmits luminescent light Ll that is emitted from the phosphor section 14 in response to excitation by excitation light Le while blocking the transmission of the excitation light Le. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 not only functions as the radar unit 12 and a lamp, but also has the overall appearance of the color of the outer lens 16, allowing it to be designed to suit its intended use.

[0034] The vehicle lamp 10 further includes a filter member 13 disposed between the phosphor section 14 and the radar unit 12. The filter member 13 transmits electromagnetic waves from the radar unit 12 and blocks visible light in a wavelength band different from that of the cover member (outer lens 16). Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can block the transmission of visible light by passing it through the filter member 13 and the outer lens 16, and even when looking into the outer lens 16 from the outside, the area behind the filter member 13 in the axial direction appears pitch black. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can make the area behind the phosphor section 14 appear pitch black, making the radar unit 12 completely invisible.

[0035] Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment as a vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure can function as the radar unit 12 while improving the appearance.

[0036] The vehicle lamp of the present disclosure has been described above based on embodiment 1, but the specific configuration is not limited to embodiment 1, and design changes and additions are permitted as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the invention according to each claim in the scope of the claims.

[0037] 3 and the like in the above-described embodiment 1, the excitation light source section 15 may be positioned so as not to overlap with the radar unit 12 in the axial direction, and may irradiate the excitation light Le onto the phosphor section 14, and is not limited to the configuration of embodiment 1. Another exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0038] 7, the vehicular lamp 10A has an excitation light source unit 15A disposed at a position that does not overlap with the radar unit 12 in the axial direction, between the outer lens 16 and the phosphor unit 14 as viewed in the axial direction. In the vehicular lamp 10A, the excitation light source unit 15A irradiates the phosphor unit 14 with excitation light Le from the front. This vehicular lamp 10A has the same configuration as the vehicular lamp 10 except for the position of the excitation light source unit 15A, and can achieve the same effects. Note that, by positioning the excitation light source unit 15A vertically below the outer lens 16, the vehicular lamp 10A can hide the excitation light source unit 15A even between the outer lens 16 and the phosphor unit 14.

[0039] The vehicular lamp 10B shown in FIG. 8 includes an excitation light source unit 15B that includes a light guide lens 25 in addition to the light source 23 and the substrate 24. The light guide lens 25 guides the excitation light Le from the light source 23 forward in the axial direction and then emits it toward the phosphor unit 14. The vehicular lamp 10B has the same configuration as the vehicular lamp 10, except for the position of the excitation light source unit 15B, and can achieve similar effects. In addition, the vehicular lamp 10B allows the light source 23 and the substrate 24 to be positioned even in locations where the excitation light Le cannot irradiate the phosphor unit 14, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in their placement. Furthermore, the vehicular lamp 10B irradiates the excitation light Le from the light guide lens 25 toward the phosphor unit 14, allowing the irradiation area and intensity distribution of the excitation light Le to be set, thereby enabling the excitation light Le to be more appropriately irradiated onto the phosphor layer 22.

[0040] Furthermore, in the first embodiment and each example described above, the phosphor layer 22 is provided on the axial front side of the substrate 21 in the phosphor section 14, but the phosphor layer 22 may be provided on the axial rear side of the substrate 21. In this case, by making the substrate 21 transmit at least the luminescent light Ll emitted from the phosphor section 14 when excited by the excitation light Le, it is possible to obtain the same actions and effects as those in each example described above.

[0041] Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the phosphor section 14 is configured by providing the phosphor layer 22 on the base material 21. However, the phosphor section 14 may have any configuration, such as providing the phosphor layer 22 on the filter member 13 or the outer lens 16, as long as the phosphor layer 22 is disposed on the axial front side of the radar unit 12, and is not limited to the configurations of the above-described examples.

[0042] In each of the above-described embodiments, examples are shown in which the lamp is used in a tail lamp unit of a vehicle 1, but other lamps may be used as long as they are lamps that can be configured with the phosphor section 14 (phosphor layer 229 and have the radar unit 12 disposed on the rear side, and are not limited to the configurations of the respective embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 10, 10A, 10B Vehicle lamp 12 Radar unit 14 Phosphor portion 15, 15A, 15B Excitation light source portion 16 Outer lens (as an example of a cover member) 21 Base material 22 Phosphor layer Le Excitation light Ll Emitted light

Claims

1. a radar unit that detects an object using electromagnetic waves of a predetermined wavelength; a phosphor portion located in front of the radar unit in the axial direction and transmitting electromagnetic waves from the radar unit; an excitation light source unit that is positioned so as not to overlap with the radar unit in the axial direction and that irradiates the phosphor unit with excitation light that excites the phosphor unit.

2. 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the phosphor portion includes a transparent substrate and a phosphor layer provided on the substrate.

3. the phosphor layer is provided on a front side of the base in the axial direction, 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, wherein the substrate transmits at least the excitation light.

4. the phosphor layer is provided on a rear side of the base in the axial direction, 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, wherein the base transmits at least the luminescent light emitted from the phosphor portion when excited by the excitation light.

5. 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, a cover member positioned on the front side of the phosphor section in the axial direction and covering the entire phosphor section; The cover member transmits electromagnetic waves from the radar unit and blocks light in a certain wavelength band of visible light, and transmits luminescent light emitted from the phosphor portion in response to excitation by the excitation light while blocking the transmission of the excitation light.

6. 6. The vehicle lamp according to claim 5, Further, a filter member is provided between the phosphor portion and the radar unit, The filter member transmits electromagnetic waves from the radar unit and blocks transmission of visible light in a wavelength band different from that of the cover member.

7. 7. The vehicle lamp according to claim 6, wherein the excitation light source portion is provided between the cover member and the phosphor portion.

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