Vehicle lighting

Abstract

The objective is to provide vehicle lighting fixtures that can reduce costs by decreasing the number of light source substrates. [Solution] The vehicle lighting fixture comprises a light source and a first and second light guide that emit light from the light source. The second light guide is arranged along the first light guide and consists of a main body into which light from the light source is incident from one end, and an incident part that causes the light propagated through the main body to be incident into the first light guide. A partition wall is placed between the first light guide and the main body to return light that has leaked out of the first light guide back to the first light guide.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a structure including a light guide and an introduction part disposed obliquely on a longitudinal side surface of the light guide, and providing light sources at respective ends of the light guide and the introduction part to cause the entire longitudinal direction of the light guide to emit light.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in Patent Document 1, since the light sources are respectively installed at a plurality of positions, it is necessary to provide circuit boards for the number of light sources. When causing a long light guide to emit light, it is desirable to reduce the number of circuit boards of the light sources and suppress the component cost.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp in which the number of circuit boards of light sources is reduced when causing a long light guide to emit light.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A vehicle lamp according to an aspect of the present invention includes a light source, and a first light guide path and a second light guide path that emit light by the light of the light source. The second light guide path is disposed along the first light guide path, and includes a main body part into which the light of the light source is incident from one end, and an incident part that causes the light propagated through the main body part to be incident on the first light guide path. A partition wall for returning the light leaking from the first light guide path to the first light guide path is disposed between the first light guide path and the main body part.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, when a long light guide emits light, the number of circuit boards of the light source can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the structure of a vehicle light fixture according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a vehicle light fixture. [Figure 3] This is a plan view showing the structure of the inner portion in the vehicle width direction of a vehicle light fixture. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the AA section, as well as the structure of the lens and housing outside of it. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the BB cross section. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The vehicle lighting device 1 according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each figure, FR and RR indicate the front and rear of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, respectively; UP and DN indicate the upper and lower parts of the vehicle in the vertical direction; and LH and RH indicate the left and right sides of the vehicle in the width direction (left and right direction). In the following description, the front and rear of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction and the upper and lower parts of the vehicle in the vertical direction will be simply referred to as front, rear, upper, and lower, respectively. Furthermore, components having the same function as those already described will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0010] As illustrated in Figure 1, the vehicle light fixture 1 is one of the components of the lamp unit L installed on the vehicle's tailgate. When installed on the vehicle, the vehicle light fixture 1 extends approximately horizontally while gently curving in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The vehicle light fixture 1 is assembled to the housing 5 of the lamp unit L, for example, together with the lens 4 (see Figure 1). The following description will use the vehicle light fixture 1 installed on the left side of the vehicle's tailgate as an example. The vehicle light fixture 1 installed on the right side of the vehicle's tailgate is similar and will not be described. Note that the installation location of the vehicle light fixture 1 is not limited to the vehicle's tailgate.

[0011] The vehicle light fixture 1 comprises a light source 2 and a light guide 10 that emits light from the light source 2. The light guide 10 comprises a first light guide path 11 and a second light guide path 21 (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0012] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the vehicle lighting fixture 1 is equipped with a light source unit (hereinafter referred to as light source unit 2) as the light source 2. The light source unit 2 is located at the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle lighting fixture 1 and comprises a circuit board and LED light sources 2A and 2B mounted on the circuit board.

[0013] As illustrated in Figure 3, the LED light sources 2A and 2B are arranged adjacent to each other in the vehicle's front-to-rear direction. LED 2A is positioned close to the inner end of the first light guide path 11 in the vehicle width direction and emits light toward the end of the first light guide path 11. This allows the light emitted from LED 2A to be incident on the first light guide path 11. Similarly, LED 2B is positioned close to the inner end of the second light guide path 21 in the vehicle width direction and emits light toward the end of the second light guide path 21. This allows the light emitted from LED 2A to be incident on the second light guide path 21. The configuration of the light source unit 2 is not limited to the above. The light source unit 2 may include a control unit that controls the turning on and off of the LED light sources 2A and 2B. Also, there may be only one LED light source, and the light emitted from one LED light source may be incident on the first light guide path 11 and the second light guide path 21.

[0014] As illustrated in Figure 2, the first light guide path 11 is formed in a long shape that extends approximately in the vehicle width direction when installed on the vehicle. Light emitted from the LED 2A and incident on the end of the first light guide path 11 is reflected and incident on the inner surface of the first light guide path 11, and propagates to the other end of the first light guide path 11 in the longitudinal direction (the end on the outside in the vehicle width direction).

[0015] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the second light guide path 21 is positioned adjacent to and in front of the first light guide path 11 and extends along the first light guide path 11. The second light guide path 21 includes a main body 22 into which light from the light source unit 2 is incident, and an incident part 23 that causes the light propagating through the main body 22 to be incident into the first light guide path 11 (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0016] The main body 22 constitutes the portion of the second light guide path 21 in the longitudinal direction from the inner end in the vehicle width direction to the incident section 23 where it merges with the first light guide path 11 (see Figures 2 and 3). Light emitted from the LED 2B and incident on the end of the main body 22 is reflected and incident on the inner surface of the main body 22, and propagates to the other end in the longitudinal direction of the main body 22 (the incident section 23, which is the outer end in the vehicle width direction).

[0017] The incident portion 23 is formed on the tip side of the second light guide path 21, which is outward in the vehicle width direction from the main body portion 22 in the longitudinal direction (see Figures 2 and 3). The incident portion 23 is positioned closer to the light source unit 2 than the intermediate portion 11A in the longitudinal direction of the first light guide path 11 in the vehicle width direction (i.e., inward in the vehicle width direction from the intermediate portion 11A) (see Figure 2). However, the position of the incident portion 23 in the longitudinal direction of the light guide body 10 is not limited to the above. The position of the incident portion 23 may be set appropriately depending on, for example, the light intensity of the light source unit 2, the shape of the light guide body 10, the degree of light attenuation in the first light guide path 11 and the second light guide path 21, etc.

[0018] The tip of the incident portion 23 is disposed in proximity along the side surface of the first light guide path 11. At this time, the tip of the incident portion 23 is disposed in a posture such that the side surface of the incident portion 23 is at a predetermined angle or less with respect to the side surface of the first light guide path 11 (see FIG. 3). Thereby, the incident portion 23 can efficiently make the light that has propagated through the main body portion 22 enter the first light guide path 11. In other words, when causing the light that has propagated through the main body portion 22 to merge from the incident portion 23 into the first light guide path 11, by forming the incident portion 23 in the above-described shape and arrangement, it is possible to suppress a part of the light from leaking to the outside without merging from the incident portion 23 into the first light guide path 11. Further, the width of the incident portion 23 may be formed to gradually decrease toward the tip of the incident portion 23 (see FIG. 3).

[0019] In the vehicle front-rear direction, a partition wall 31 is disposed between the main body portion 22 of the first light guide path 11 and the second light guide path 21 (see FIG. 4). That is, the partition wall 31 is disposed in front of the first light guide path 11 and behind the second light guide path 21 in the vehicle front-rear direction. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the partition wall 31 is formed by standing upright from a reflector 3 disposed below the first light guide path 11 and the second light guide path 21. In a front view, at least a part of the first light guide path 11 and the partition wall 31 are disposed overlapping each other. In other words, the upper end of the partition wall 31 is disposed above the lower end of the first light guide path 11. Thereby, the partition wall 31 can return a part of the light that has leaked forward (to the main body portion 22 side) from the first light guide path 11 to the rear (to the first light guide path 11 side). More specifically, when the light is propagated to the other end portion in the longitudinal direction of the first light guide path 11, a part of the light leaks from the first light guide path 11 to the outside. The partition wall 31 can return a part of the light that has leaked forward among the light that has leaked to the outside, to the rear. Therefore, a part of the light that has leaked from the first light guide path 11 to the outside returns into the first light guide path 11 again. Thereby, it is possible to suppress attenuation of the light in the first light guide path 11 at the portion where the partition wall 31 stands upright. Note that FIG. 4 shows the structure of the A-A cross section in FIG. 3 and also illustrates the structures of the lens 4 and the housing 5 disposed outside thereof.

[0020] Also, in a front view, at least a part of the main body portion 22 and the partition wall 31 overlap each other. In other words, the upper end of the partition wall 31 is disposed above the lower end of the main body portion 22 (see FIG. 4). Thereby, the partition wall 31 can return a part of the light that has leaked from the main body portion 22 to the first light guide path 11 side in the rear to the front main body portion 22. More specifically, when light propagates from the main body portion 22 to the incident portion 23, a part of the light leaks from the main body portion 22 to the outside. The partition wall 31 can return a part of the light that has leaked to the rear among the light that has leaked to the outside to the front. Therefore, a part of the light that has leaked from the main body portion 22 returns to the main body portion 22 again. Thereby, in the portion where the partition wall 31 is erected, attenuation of light in the main body portion 22 can be suppressed.

[0021] The shape and arrangement of the partition wall 31 are not limited to the above. For example, the upper end of the partition wall 31 may be disposed above the upper end of the first light guide path 11 or the upper end of the main body portion 22. Further, in the embodiment, a resin material formed as the partition wall 31 is used, but a known material such as a metal material having a higher reflectance or a material subjected to surface treatment may be used. Further, in the embodiment, the partition wall 31 is continuously formed in the longitudinal direction, but may be intermittently formed in the longitudinal direction.

[0022] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the light guide 10 includes a connection light guide path 41 that connects the first light guide path 11 and the second light guide path 21 to guide light. The connection light guide path 41 is provided in the inner portion in the vehicle width direction of the light guide 10. The connection light guide path 41 extends from the first light guide path 11 in a first direction D1 orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the first light guide path 11 (see FIG. 5).

[0023] As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the light guide 10 includes a light-emitting plate portion 51 extending from the first light guide path 11 in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The light-emitting plate portion 51 is provided with an uneven structure 51A for emitting light from the light source unit 2 from its surface. The uneven structure 51A is provided, for example, on the front side in the thickness direction of the light-emitting plate portion 51. As a result, a portion of the light emitted from the light source unit 2 is emitted from the side of the light-emitting plate portion 51 toward the rear.

[0024] As illustrated in Figure 5, the angle A between the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 is set to 90 degrees or more. This allows light from the second light guide 21 to be efficiently propagated to the light-emitting plate section 51 via the connecting light guide 41 and the first light guide 11. In other words, not only light from the first light guide 11 but also light from the second light guide 21 can be efficiently propagated to the light-emitting plate section 51. Therefore, light of appropriate intensity can be propagated to the light-emitting plate section 51, and light of appropriate intensity can be emitted from the surface of the light-emitting plate section 51.

[0025] The uneven structure 51A is a prism in which recesses, protrusions, flats, etc., are arranged in predetermined dimensions and widths in the thickness direction and longitudinal direction of the light-emitting plate portion 51. A portion of the light propagated to the light-emitting plate portion 51 is reflected by a prism formed at a predetermined position on the light-emitting plate portion 51 (the lower part of the light-emitting plate portion 51 in this embodiment) and emitted in a predetermined direction (rearward in this embodiment). The uneven structure 51A may also be formed over the entire longitudinal area of ​​the first light guide path 11. In that case, the first light guide path 11 emits light over the entire longitudinal area of ​​the first light guide path 11 due to the uneven structure 51A. The dimensions of the unevenness and the arrangement pattern of the unevenness of the uneven structure 51A may change in a gradient or the like depending on the position of the first light guide path 11.

[0026] (1) The vehicle lighting device 1 according to this embodiment includes a light source unit 2 which is a light source, and a first light guide path 11 and a second light guide path 21 which emit light from the light source unit 2. The second light guide path 21 is arranged along the first light guide path 11 and consists of a main body portion 22 into which light from the light source unit 2 is incident from one end, and an incident portion 23 which causes the light that has propagated through the main body portion 22 to be incident into the first light guide path 11. A partition wall 31 is arranged between the first light guide path 11 and the main body portion 22 to return light that has leaked out of the first light guide path 11 back to the first light guide path 11.

[0027] With the above configuration, light leaking from the first light guide 11 is returned to the first light guide 11 by the partition wall 31. Therefore, the attenuation of light in the first light guide 11 can be suppressed and the propagation efficiency can be improved. As a result, for example, at the point where light from the incident section 23 merges with the first light guide 11, the light in the first light guide 11 can be made stronger than when the partition wall 31 is not provided. As a result, light of appropriate intensity can be propagated to the end of the first light guide 11 in the longitudinal direction and emitted.

[0028] (2) In this embodiment, the partition wall 31 returns the light that has leaked out of the main body 22 back to the main body 22. With this configuration, the light that has leaked out of the main body 22 is returned to the main body 22 by the partition wall 31. Therefore, the attenuation of light in the second light guide path 21 is suppressed and the propagation efficiency is improved. As a result, the light in the incident section 23 can be made stronger than when the partition wall 31 is not provided. Consequently, at the point where the light from the incident section 23 merges with the first light guide path 11, the light in the second light guide path 21 can be made stronger than when the partition wall 31 is not provided.

[0029] (3) Furthermore, in this embodiment, the device includes a connecting light guide path 41 that extends in a first direction D1 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first light guide path 11 and connects the first light guide path 11 and the second light guide path 21 to guide light, and a light-emitting plate portion 51 that extends from the first light guide path 11 in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The light-emitting plate portion 51 has an uneven structure 51A for emitting light from the light source unit 2 from its surface. The angle A between the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 is set to 90 degrees or more. With this configuration, light from the second light guide path 21 can be efficiently propagated to the light-emitting plate portion 51 via the connecting light guide path 41 and the first light guide path 11. As a result, light of appropriate intensity can be propagated to the light-emitting plate portion 51, and light of appropriate intensity can be emitted from the surface of the light-emitting plate portion 51.

[0030] (4) In this embodiment, the incident portion 23 is positioned closer to the light source unit 2 than the intermediate portion 11A in the longitudinal direction of the first light guide path 11. That is, in this embodiment, the attenuation of propagating light is relatively large in the portion from the incident portion 23 until it merges with the first light guide path 11, and the attenuation of propagating light is relatively small in the portion from the incident portion 23 until it merges with the first light guide path 11. Therefore, with this configuration, light of appropriate intensity can be propagated to the end of the first light guide path 11 in the longitudinal direction to emit light, and the entire longitudinal direction of the first light guide path 11 can be made to emit light uniformly.

[0031] As described above, embodiments of the present invention have been presented, but the statements and drawings that constitute part of this disclosure should not be understood as limiting the invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operational techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0032] In the above embodiment, a structure in which the second light guide path 21 is positioned in front of the first light guide path 11 was described as an example. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied when the second light guide path 21 is positioned behind, above, below, or diagonally to the first light guide path 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 1. Vehicle lighting fixtures 2. Light source unit (light source) 11 1st light guide path 11A Middle part 21 Second light guide path 22 Main body 23 Incidence part 31 Partition wall 41 Connecting light guide 51 Light-emitting plate section 51A Uneven structure A eggplant corner D1 First direction D2 Second direction

Claims

1. It comprises a light source, and a first and second light guide paths that emit light from the light source, The second light guide path is, A main body portion is arranged along the first light guide path, and light from the light source is incident on it from one end, An inlet section that causes the light propagated through the main body to enter the first light guide path, Composed of, A vehicle light fixture comprising a partition wall positioned between the first light guide and the main body, for returning light leaking from the first light guide back to the first light guide.

2. The partition wall returns light leaking from the main body back to the main body, as described in claim 1 for a vehicle lighting device.

3. A connecting light guide path extends in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first light guide path and connects the first light guide path and the second light guide path to guide light, The device comprises a light-emitting plate portion extending from the first light guide path in a second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, The light-emitting plate portion has an uneven structure that causes light from the light source to be emitted from its surface. The vehicle light fixture according to claim 1, wherein the angle between the first direction and the second direction is 90 degrees or more.

4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the incident portion is positioned closer to the light source than the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the first light guide path.

Images