Vehicle lighting equipment and control devices for vehicle lighting equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle lighting device and a control device for a vehicle lighting device that facilitate the emission of light in a predetermined light emission range wider than the first light emission range, while also making it easier to intensify the light emitted in the first light emission range. [Solution] The vehicle light fixture 100 comprises a first light source unit 10 and a second light source unit 20 provided on a substrate 1, and an inner lens 30 that reflects light from the first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20 along a first direction RR. The inner lens 30 has a first reflective surface 12 that reflects light from the first light source unit 10 so as to emit light in a first light emission range R1, and a second reflective surface 22 that reflects light from the second light source unit 20 so as to emit light in a second light emission range R2. The first light source unit 10 is located on the substrate 1 further outward in the first direction RR than the second light source unit 20. The first reflective surface 12 is located further outward in the first direction RR than the second reflective surface 22.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp and a control device for a vehicle lamp.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, regarding vehicle lamps, the technology described in Patent Document 1 is known. In the lamp module described in Patent Document 1, a first light source is provided behind the light guide portion so as to face the rear surface portion of the light guide portion, and a second light source is provided below the light guide portion so as to face the lower surface portion of the light guide portion, and it is configured to share one light emitting surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above prior art, while it is configured to share one light emitting surface, it is not configured to actively expand the light emitting range. When trying to expand the light emitting range, there is a possibility that the light is dispersed and the light intensity decreases, so there is room for improvement.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle light fixture installed in a vehicle that emits light in a predetermined light emission range along a second direction intersecting a predetermined first direction from the inside of the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle, comprising: a first light source unit and a second light source unit installed on a substrate arranged along the first direction and emitting light along the second direction; and a reflecting unit that reflects light from the first light source unit and the second light source unit, respectively, along the first direction, wherein the reflecting unit has a first reflecting surface that reflects light from the first light source unit so as to emit light in a first light emission range that is a predetermined range on the substrate side of the light emission range, and a second reflecting surface that reflects light from the second light source unit so as to emit light in a second light emission range that is further from the substrate than the first light emission range, wherein the first light source unit is located on the substrate further outward in the first direction than the second light source unit, and the first reflecting surface is located further outward in the first direction than the second reflecting surface.

[0006] In a vehicle lamp according to one aspect of the present invention, the first light source is positioned on the substrate on the outside of the vehicle in a first direction relative to the second light source, and the first reflective surface is positioned on the outside of the vehicle in a first direction relative to the second reflective surface. With this configuration, the optical path length of the light from the first light source reflected by the first reflective surface is shorter than the optical path length of the light from the second light source reflected by the second reflective surface. As a result, it becomes easier to strengthen the light emitted in the first emission range compared to the light emitted in the second emission range. Furthermore, the light from the second light source reflected by the second reflective surface is emitted in the second emission range, which is further from the substrate than the first emission range. As a result, light emission is achieved in a predetermined emission range that includes not only the first emission range but also the second emission range. Therefore, according to a vehicle lamp according to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to strengthen the light emitted in the first emission range while emitting light in a predetermined emission range that is wider than the first emission range.

[0007] In one embodiment, the inner end of the first reflective surface may be located on the inner side of the vehicle in a first direction relative to the optical axis of the first light source. In this case, the first reflective surface can effectively reflect light from the first light source, making it easier to further intensify the light emitted in the first emission range.

[0008] In one embodiment, the reflective portion may have a third reflective surface that branches a portion of the light from the second light source into branched light that does not go toward the second reflective surface, and reflects the branched light so that it emits light in the first emission range. In this case, the light emitted in the first emission range can be supplemented using a portion of the light from the second light source.

[0009] In one embodiment, the reflecting portion is a light guide that guides light from a first light source and a second light source, and the light guide has a first extending portion that extends along a first direction, the first extending portion including a first incident portion into which incident light from the first light source is incident and a second incident portion into which incident light from the second light source is incident, the first reflecting surface is a first inclined surface formed on the first extending portion to reflect light guided from the first incident portion, and the third reflecting surface may be a third inclined surface formed on the first extending portion to reflect branched light guided from the second incident portion. In this case, the light guided from the first incident portion is reflected by the first inclined surface and emitted in the first emission range. The branched light guided from the second incident portion is reflected by the third inclined surface and emitted in the first emission range. By using the light guide that guides light from the first light source and the second light source, it is possible to use a portion of the light from the second light source to enhance the light emitted in the first emission range.

[0010] In one embodiment, the light guide has a second extending portion that extends along a second direction away from the substrate, with the end of the first extending portion on the vehicle side in the first direction as its base end, and the second reflective surface may be formed on the vehicle side in the first direction of the second extending portion. In this case, in a light guide configured such that the first extending portion and the second extending portion form, for example, an L-shape, light from the second light source can be reflected by the second reflective surface and emitted in the second light emission range.

[0011] In one embodiment, the second extension portion has an exit surface facing the second reflective surface in a first direction, the second reflective surface being a second inclined surface that slopes outward as it moves away from the substrate, and the exit surface being a fourth inclined surface that slopes inward as it moves away from the substrate. In this case, the second extension portion tapers as it moves away from the substrate due to the second reflective surface and the exit surface, making it easy to demold the light guide when molding it.

[0012] In one embodiment, the substrate may be a planar substrate extending along a first direction and having a normal direction in the second direction. In this case, the substrate cost can be reduced by using a common planar substrate on which both the first and second light sources are arranged.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention is a control device for a vehicle light fixture comprising a controller for controlling a vehicle light fixture having the third reflective surface, wherein the controller controls the first light source and the second light source based on a brake operation signal of the vehicle, and when the brakes are not applied, the second light source is turned on and the first light source is turned off, and when the brakes are applied, both the first light source and the second light source are turned on. In this case, when the brakes are applied, the first light source is turned on to ensure sufficient light output as a brake light, while when the brakes are not applied, the first light source is turned off to reduce heat generation by the first light source. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to various aspects of the present invention, it is possible to enhance the light emitted in the first emission range while emitting light in a predetermined emission range that is wider than the first emission range. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lighting device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the illumination state of the taillights. [Figure 3]This is a diagram illustrating the illumination status of the stop lamps. [Figure 4] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modified vehicle light fixture. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lighting device according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle lighting device 100 according to this embodiment is a combination lamp provided, for example, at the rear corner of a vehicle 50. The combination lamp is a lamp unit that combines the functions of a stop lamp (brake light) and a tail lamp (rear side marker light).

[0018] The vehicle light fixture 100 emits light in a predetermined first direction RR from the inside of the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle, within a predetermined light emission range R0. The first direction RR corresponds to the rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 50. The predetermined light emission range R0 is defined as the range in which the vehicle light fixture 100 emits light, along a second direction UPR that intersects the first direction RR. The second direction UPR corresponds, for example, to the upward direction in the vertical direction of the vehicle 50, perpendicular to the first direction RR.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lamp 100 includes a substrate 1, a first light source unit 10, a second light source unit 20, an inner lens (reflective portion) 30, an inner lens 60, an outer lens 51, and an outer lens 53. In the vehicle lamp 100, each of these components is supported by a case (not shown) so as to have the positional relationship as shown in FIG. 1. The vehicle lamp 100 is fixed to the vehicle body of the vehicle 50. The outer lens 51 is a portion that blocks the light from the inside of the vehicle lamp 100 and hides the inside of the vehicle lamp 100. The outer lens 53 is a portion where the light reflected by the inner lens 30 is emitted to the outside of the vehicle. The outer lenses 51 and 53 are two-color molded products. For example, the outer lens 51 is a black resin having light-shielding properties, and the outer lens 53 is a transparent resin or a red resin having light-transmitting properties. The outer lenses 51 and 53 may be designed such that when the vehicle lamp 100 is fixed to the vehicle body of the vehicle 50, the vehicle body surface of the vehicle 50 and the outer surfaces of the outer lenses 51 and 53 are flush.

[0020] The substrate 1 is a member that supports the first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20 so that they can be lit. The substrate 1 extends along the first direction RR and is fixed such that the normal direction of the substrate 1 becomes the second direction UPR. The substrate 1 is, for example, a planar substrate on which the first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20 are installed on the same plane. As the substrate 1, a substrate of a known material can be used. In the substrate 1, for example, compared with a configuration in which the first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20 are arranged on different planes from each other, the substrate cost can be reduced. The substrate 1, the first light source unit 10, and the second light source unit 20 are hidden from the outside of the vehicle by the outer lens 51 located on the extension line of the substrate 1, and the light from the first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20 cannot be directly seen from the outside of the vehicle.

[0021] The first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20 are arranged side by side on the substrate 1 so as to emit light along the second direction UPR. The optical axis 10X of the first light source unit 10 extends, for example, along the normal direction of the light emitting surface at the center of the light emitting surface of the first light source unit 10. The optical axis 20X of the second light source unit 20 extends, for example, along the normal direction of the light emitting surface at the center of the light emitting surface of the second light source unit 20.

[0022] The first light source unit 10 is arranged on the substrate 1 outside the vehicle in the first direction RR with respect to the second light source unit 20. The outside of the vehicle means the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 50 inside the vehicle. The outside of the vehicle may also mean being close to the outer lens 53 inside the vehicle 50 in a state where the vehicle lamp 100 is attached to the vehicle body of the vehicle 50. The inside of the vehicle means the front side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 50 inside the vehicle. The inside of the vehicle may also mean being far from the outer lens 53 inside the vehicle 50 in a state where the vehicle lamp 100 is attached to the vehicle body of the vehicle 50.

[0023] Note that the first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20 are in the same left - right position when viewed from the first direction RR in the left - right direction of the vehicle 50 orthogonal to the first direction RR and the second direction UPR in the example of FIG. 1, but they may be in different left - right positions shifted from each other when viewed from the first direction RR.

[0024] The first light source unit 10 is mainly a light source for a stop lamp, and for example, a red LED can be used. The second light source unit 20 is a light source for both a tail lamp and a stop lamp, and for example, a red LED can be used. The first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20 may be white LEDs when the inner lens 30 described later is a red light guide.

[0025] The inner lens 30 is installed inside the vehicle light fixture 100 and reflects light from the first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20 along the first direction RR. The inner lens 30 is a light guide that guides light from the first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20 by passing light through the material that constitutes the inner lens 30. The material of the inner lens 30 can be a known material for light guides used in vehicle light fixtures, and may be a material with high light transmittance and excellent durability, such as acrylic resin or polycarbonate.

[0026] The inner lens 30 controls the optical paths of the light emitted from the two light sources, the first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20, so that it can perform the functions of a tail lamp and a stop lamp in a single component. The inner lens 30 guides the light from the first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20 within itself and distributes it in two directions, the first direction RR and the second direction UPR, achieving a wide light emission range R0 along the second direction UPR.

[0027] The light emission range R0 is a predetermined design range from which light is emitted from the vehicle lamp 100, and is represented here as the range along the second direction UPR. The light emission range R0 of the vehicle lamp 100 is the range that combines the first light emission range R1 and the second light emission range R2 along the second direction UPR (see Figures 2 and 3). The first light emission range R1 is the region of the light emission range R0 that is close to the substrate 1. The second light emission range R2 is the region of the light emission range R0 that is farther from the substrate 1 and further from the substrate 1 than the first light emission range R1.

[0028] The inner lens 30 has a roughly L-shape in the cross-sectional view shown in Figure 1 and has a first extended portion 31 that extends along the first direction RR. The first extended portion 31 corresponds to the lower edge of the "L" in the cross-sectional view shown in Figure 1. The first extended portion 31 has, for example, a rectangular or square cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the first direction RR, and is partially inclined or bent to guide light along the first direction RR, resulting in the contour shown in the cross-sectional view shown in Figure 1.

[0029] The first extension 31 includes a first incident section 11 into which incident light from the first light source section 10 is incident, and a second incident section 21 into which incident light from the second light source section 20 is incident.

[0030] The first incident portion 11 is provided in the first extension portion 31 at a position facing the first light source portion 10. The first incident portion 11 is the part of the first extension portion 31 that protrudes toward the first light source portion 10 on the vehicle side. In the cross-sectional view in Figure 1, the first incident portion 11 protrudes in a tapering manner, for example, and has a truncated square pyramidal shape with a trapezoidal cross-section. The first incident portion 11 may also have a cylindrical or prismatic shape with a cross-section that is not tapered.

[0031] In the first extended portion 31, a first reflective surface 12 is provided in the portion facing the first incident portion 11. The first reflective surface 12 is a first inclined surface formed on the first extended portion 31. The first inclined surface extends from the inner end 12a of the first reflective surface 12 toward the second direction UPR and toward the outer side of the vehicle, and is inclined to reflect the light from the first light source 10 guided from the first incident portion 11 toward the first emission surface 15. Therefore, the first reflective surface 12 reflects the light from the first light source 10 so that the light is emitted from the first emission surface 15.

[0032] The first emission surface 15 is the outer end surface of the first extension portion 31, and is, for example, a surface perpendicular to the first direction RR. Most of the light emitted from the first emission surface 15 is emitted in the first emission range R1, which is a predetermined range on the substrate 1 side of the emission range R0. The first emission surface 15 may be a surface inclined with respect to a virtual surface perpendicular to the first direction RR.

[0033] The inner end 12a of the first reflecting surface 12 is located in the range where the first incident portion 11 exists, as a position in the first direction RR. The end 12a may be located in the inner direction RR of the first light source unit 10 relative to the optical axis 10X of the first light source unit 10. By having the end 12a located in the inner direction RR of the first light source unit 10 relative to the optical axis 10X of the first light source unit 10, the light from the first light source unit 10 can be reflected by the first reflecting surface 12 so that most of the light from the first light source unit 10 is emitted from the first emission surface 15 (see Figure 3).

[0034] The second incident portion 21 is provided in the first extension portion 31 at a position facing the second light source portion 20. The second incident portion 21 is a portion that protrudes toward the second light source portion 20 on the vehicle side of the first extension portion 31. In the cross-sectional view in Figure 1, the second incident portion 21 protrudes in a tapering manner, for example, and has a truncated square pyramidal shape with a trapezoidal cross-section. The second incident portion 21 may also be cylindrical or prismatic in shape with a cross-section that does not tapere.

[0035] The inner lens 30 has a third reflective surface 23. The third reflective surface 23 branches a portion of the light from the second light source 20 into branched light that does not go toward the second reflective surface 22, and reflects the branched light so that it is emitted in the first light emission range R1. The third reflective surface 23 is a third inclined surface formed on the first extending portion 31 so as to reflect the branched light guided from the second incident portion 21. The third inclined surface extends from the inner end 23a of the third reflective surface 23 toward the second direction UPR and toward the outer side of the vehicle, and is inclined so as to reflect a portion of the light from the second light source 20 guided from the second incident portion 21 toward the first emission surface 15.

[0036] The third reflective surface 23 is provided on the outside of the vehicle in the portion of the first extending portion 31 that faces the second incident portion 21 along the second direction UPR. The inside end 23a of the third reflective surface 23 is located in the range where the second incident portion 21 exists, as a position in the first direction RR. The end 23a is located in the range where the second light source 20 exists, as a position in the first direction RR. The end 23a may be located on the inside of the first direction RR in the first direction RR than the optical axis 20X of the second light source 20. When the light from the second light source 20 is dispersed to an equal extent on both the outside and inside of the vehicle, the third reflective surface 23 reflects more than half of the light from the second light source 20, thereby further strengthening the light emitted from the first emission surface 15 (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0037] The third reflective surface 23 and the first reflective surface 12 are connected by a connecting surface 13. The connecting surface 13 is a surface that extends along the first direction RR on the side of the first extending portion 31 that is farther from the substrate 1. The connecting surface 13 may be inclined with respect to the first direction RR to the extent that it does not obstruct the light from the second light source 20 reflected by the third reflective surface 23.

[0038] The second incident portion 21 and the first incident portion 11 are connected by a connecting surface 14. The connecting surface 14 is a surface that extends along the first direction RR on the side of the first extension portion 31 closer to the substrate 1. The connecting surface 14 may, for example, extend substantially parallel to the first direction RR.

[0039] Light from the second light source 20, reflected by the third reflective surface 23, is guided toward the first emission surface 15 through the portion of the first extension 31 sandwiched between the connecting surfaces 13 and 14. Thus, the third reflective surface 23 reflects light from the second light source 20 so that it emits light from the first emission surface 15.

[0040] The inner lens 30 has a second extending portion 32 that extends along the second direction UPR away from the substrate 1, with the in-vehicle side end 31a of the first extending portion 31 in the first direction RR as its base end. The second extending portion 32 corresponds to the left side of "L" in the cross-sectional view of Figure 1. The second reflective surface 22 is formed on the in-vehicle side of the first direction RR in the second extending portion 32. In other words, in the first extending portion 31, the first reflective surface 12 is located on the outward side of the first direction RR than the second reflective surface 22. The second extending portion 32 has, for example, a rectangular or square cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the second direction UPR, and is partially inclined or bent to guide light along the second direction UPR, resulting in the contour shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 1.

[0041] In the first extension portion 31, a pair of guide surfaces 24.25 are provided on the vehicle-side portion of the part facing the second incident portion 21. The portion of the inner lens 30 sandwiched between the pair of guide surfaces 24.25 is the connection portion between the first extension portion 31 and the second extension portion 32, which guides light from the vehicle-side end 31a of the first extension portion 31 to the second reflective surface 22. The vehicle-side end 24a of the guide surface 24 coincides with, for example, end 23a. The end 24a may be located on the vehicle-side in the first direction RR than the optical axis 20X of the second light source portion 20 in the first direction RR. When the light from the second light source portion 20 is such that it is dispersed to both the vehicle-side and vehicle-side to an equal extent, the third reflective surface 23 guides the remainder of the light from the second light source portion 20, excluding a portion of the light reflected by the third reflective surface 23, to the second reflective surface 22.

[0042] The second reflective surface 22 is formed on the second extending portion 32 so as to reflect light guided from the second incident portion 21. The second reflective surface 22 extends from the end portion 25b of the guide surface 25 along the second direction UPR, and is slightly inclined outward relative to the second direction UPR. In other words, the second reflective surface 22 is a second inclined surface that inclins outward as it moves away from the substrate 1. The second reflective surface 22 extends as a generally flat surface, but more microscopically, fine cuts may be made on the second reflective surface 22 so that light guided from the second incident portion 21 is directed toward the first direction RR.

[0043] The second extending portion 32 has a second ejection surface 26 (ejection surface) that faces the second reflecting surface 22 in the first direction RR. The second ejection surface 26 extends from the end 24b of the guide surface 24 along the second direction UPR, and is slightly inclined inward relative to the second direction UPR. In other words, the second ejection surface 26 is a fourth inclined surface that inclins inward as it moves away from the substrate 1. The absolute value of the angle of inclination with respect to the second direction UPR may be smaller for the second ejection surface 26 than for the second reflecting surface 22.

[0044] The second reflective surface 22 and the second emitting surface 26 extend along the second direction UPR to a greater distance from the substrate 1 than the first reflective surface 12. The second reflective surface 22 and the second emitting surface 26 extend along the second direction UPR to a length corresponding to the second light emission range R2. Therefore, the second reflective surface 22 reflects light from the second light source unit 20 so that light is emitted from the second emitting surface 26, in the second light emission range R2, which is further from the substrate 1 than the first light emission range R1 within the light emission range R0. Note that the second reflective surface 22 and the second emitting surface 26 may extend along the second direction UPR to a range narrower than the second light emission range R2, taking into account the diffusion of light emitted from the second emitting surface 26.

[0045] The vehicle lighting fixture 100 is controlled in its illuminated state by the vehicle lighting fixture control device 70. The vehicle lighting fixture control device 70 includes a controller 71 that controls the vehicle lighting fixture 100. The controller 71 is an electronic control unit having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), CAN (Controller Area Network) communication circuit, etc. The controller 71 realizes various functions, for example, by loading a program stored in ROM into RAM and executing the program loaded into RAM with the CPU. The controller 71 controls the first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20 based on the brake operation signal of the vehicle 50.

[0046] The inner lens 60 is a light-transmitting component positioned between the inner lens 30 and the outer lens 53. The inner lens 60 prevents the inner lens 30 from being directly visible from the outside of the vehicle and contributes to the exterior design. The inner lens 60 transmits or guides the light emitted from the inner lens 30 and emits it towards the outer lens 53.

[0047] The controller 71, when the brakes are not applied to the vehicle 50, for example, illuminates the second light source 20 and turns off the first light source 10. The controller 71 may also illuminate the second light source 20 in a dimmed state when the brakes are not applied to the vehicle 50. This controls the vehicle lighting device 100 to illuminate the taillights. If the vehicle 50 does not have a daytime running light function, the controller 71 may illuminate the second light source 20 and turn off the first light source 10 when the side marker lights are illuminated when the brakes are not applied to the vehicle 50.

[0048] The controller 71 illuminates both the first light source 10 and the second light source 20, for example, when the brakes are applied to the vehicle 50. The controller 71 may also illuminate both the first light source 10 and the second light source 20 at their maximum brightness without dimming when the brakes are applied to the vehicle 50. This controls the vehicle lighting fixture 100 to illuminate as a stop lamp. At this time, the controller 71 may also increase the light intensity (luminous flux) of the second light source 20.

[0049] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the illumination state of the taillight. In Figure 2, an example of the light path is shown when the second light source unit 20 is illuminated in a dimmed state and the first light source unit 10 is turned off, representing the illumination state of the taillight. Light emitted from the second light source unit 20 passes through the second incident unit 21 and is incident on the first extending unit 31, and is guided to the guide surfaces 24, 25 and the third reflecting surface 23. A portion of the light from the second light source unit 20 is reflected by the third reflecting surface 23 and emitted as light in the first light emission range R1 via the first emission surface 15. The remaining light from the second light source unit 20 is guided by the pair of guide surfaces 24, 25 to the second reflecting surface 22, reflected by the second reflecting surface 22, and emitted as light in the second light emission range R2 via the second emission surface 26. As a result, the vehicle lamp 100 illuminates the entire light emission range R0.

[0050] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the illumination state of the stop lamp. In Figure 3, an example of the optical path is shown when both the first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20 are illuminated at their maximum brightness without dimming, representing the illumination state of the stop lamp. The light emitted from the second light source unit 20 is reflected along the optical path in Figure 2 with an increased luminous flux. A portion of the light emitted from the first light source unit 10 is incident on the first extension unit 31 through the first incident unit 11 and guided to the first reflective surface 12. A portion of the light from the first light source unit 10 is reflected by the first reflective surface 12 and emitted as light in the first emission range R1 via the first emission surface 15. The remaining portion of the light emitted from the first light source unit 10 is emitted directly toward the first emission surface 15 and emitted as light in the first emission range R1 via the first emission surface 15. As a result, the vehicle light fixture 100 illuminates brighter than the taillights when illuminated across the entire light-emitting range R0, and the light in the first light-emitting range R1 illuminates even brighter.

[0051] Thus, when the stop lamp is illuminated, light is emitted from the inner lens 30 at a high luminous flux, causing the design surface of the inner lens 60 to emit strong light, thus clearly distinguishing the function of the tail lamp and the stop lamp. Furthermore, when the stop lamp is illuminated, by increasing the light intensity (luminous flux) of the second light source unit 20, it is possible to achieve the required luminous intensity for a stop lamp while suppressing the increase in the number of light sources, compared to increasing the total light intensity by increasing the number of light sources without increasing the light intensity of a single light source.

[0052] As explained above, in the vehicle lighting device 100, the first light source unit 10 is positioned on the substrate 1 further outward in the first direction RR than the second light source unit 20, and the first reflective surface 12 is positioned further outward in the first direction RR than the second reflective surface 22. With this configuration, the optical path length of the light from the first light source unit 10 reflected by the first reflective surface 12 is shorter than the optical path length of the light from the second light source unit 20 reflected by the second reflective surface 22. As a result, it becomes easier to intensify the light emitted in the first light emission range R1 compared to the light emitted in the second light emission range R2. In addition, the light from the second light source unit 20 reflected by the second reflective surface 22 is emitted in the second light emission range R2, which is further from the substrate 1 than the first light emission range R1 within the light emission range R0. As a result, overall, light emission is achieved in a predetermined light emission range R0 that includes not only the first light emission range R1 but also the second light emission range R2. Therefore, with the vehicle light fixture 100, it is possible to emit light in a predetermined light emission range R0 that is wider than the first light emission range R1, while also making it easier to intensify the light emitted in the first light emission range R1.

[0053] In the vehicle lighting device 100, the inner end 12a of the first reflective surface 12 is located on the inner side of the vehicle in the first direction RR relative to the optical axis 10X of the first light source unit 10. This allows the first reflective surface 12 to effectively reflect light from the first light source unit 10, making it easier to further intensify the light emitted in the first light emission range R1.

[0054] In the vehicle lighting device 100, the inner lens 30 has a third reflective surface 23 that branches a portion of the light from the second light source 20 into branched light that does not go toward the second reflective surface 22, and reflects the branched light so that it is emitted in the first light emission range R1. As a result, the light emitted in the first light emission range R1 can be supplemented using a portion of the light from the second light source 20.

[0055] In the vehicle light fixture 100, the inner lens 30 is a light guide that guides light from the first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20. The inner lens 30 has a first extension 31 that extends along a first direction RR. The first extension 31 includes a first incident part 11 into which incident light from the first light source unit 10 is incident, and a second incident part 21 into which incident light from the second light source unit 20 is incident. The first reflective surface 12 is a first inclined surface formed on the first extension 31 to reflect the light guided from the first incident part 11, and the third reflective surface 23 is a third inclined surface formed on the first extension 31 to reflect branched light guided from the second incident part 21. As a result, the light guided from the first incident part 11 is reflected by the first reflective surface 12 and emitted in the first light emission range R1. The branched light guided from the second incident section 21 is reflected by the third reflective surface 23 and emitted in the first emission range R1. By using a light guide that guides the light from the first light source section 10 and the second light source section 20, the light emitted in the first emission range R1 can be strengthened using a portion of the light from the second light source section 20.

[0056] In the vehicle lighting device 100, the inner lens 30, which is a light guide, has a second extending portion 32 that extends along the second direction UPR away from the substrate 1, with the end 31a on the vehicle side in the first direction RR of the first extending portion 31 as the base end, and the second reflective surface 22 is formed on the vehicle side in the first direction RR of the second extending portion 32. As a result, in a light guide configured such that the first extending portion 31 and the second extending portion 32 form, for example, an L shape, light from the second light source 20 can be reflected by the second reflective surface 22 and emitted in the second light emission range R2.

[0057] In the vehicle lighting device 100, the second extension portion 32 has a second reflective surface 22 and a second emitting surface 26 facing each other in the first direction RR. The second reflective surface 22 is a second inclined surface that slopes outward as it moves away from the substrate 1, and the second emitting surface 26 is a fourth inclined surface that slopes inward as it moves away from the substrate 1. As a result, the second extension portion 32 tapers towards the substrate 1 due to the second reflective surface 22 and the second emitting surface 26, making it easy to demold the light guide when it is being molded.

[0058] In the vehicle lighting device 100, the substrate 1 is a planar substrate that extends along the first direction RR and whose normal direction is the second direction. This makes it possible to reduce the cost of the substrate 1 by using a common planar substrate 1 on which both the first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20 are arranged.

[0059] The vehicle lighting control device 70 includes a controller 71 that controls the vehicle lighting device 100 having the third reflective surface 23. The controller 71 controls the first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20 based on the brake operation signal of the vehicle 50. When the brakes are not applied, the controller 71 lights up the second light source unit 20 and turns off the first light source unit 10. When the brakes are applied, the controller 71 lights up both the first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20. This ensures sufficient light output as a brake light by lighting up the first light source unit 10 when the brakes are applied, while preventing heat generation by the first light source unit 10 when the brakes are not applied.

[0060] [Differentiation] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0061] In the above embodiment, an example was shown where the second direction UPR is upward of the vehicle. However, as shown in Figure 4, the vehicle light fixture 100A may also be such that the second direction is outward (OUT) in the width direction of the vehicle. In the vehicle light fixture 100A, the only difference is the second direction, and the configuration is the same as that of the vehicle light fixture 100.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the third reflective surface 23 was used to supplement the light emission in the first light emission range R1 with a portion of the light from the second light source unit 20, but this configuration is not essential.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the inner lens 30 had an L-shape in the cross-sectional view shown in Figure 1, but it is not limited to this shape. Within the range in which the first reflective surface 12 and the second reflective surface 22 do not swap places in the first direction RR, the second reflective surface 22 may be located further outward from the vehicle, or the first reflective surface 12 may be located further inward from the vehicle.

[0064] In the above embodiment, an inner lens 30 was described as an example of a reflective part, but the invention is not limited to this, and a reflective part may be constructed by combining multiple mirrors to function as a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface without using a light guide.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the in-vehicle end 12a of the first reflective surface 12 was located inward in the first direction RR relative to the optical axis 10X of the first light source unit 10, but the embodiment is not limited to this example. The end 12a may be located on the optical axis 10X of the first light source unit 10, or outward in the first direction RR relative to the optical axis 10X of the first light source unit 10.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the second reflective surface 22 was a second inclined surface that sloped outward as it moved away from the substrate 1, but the invention is not limited to this example. The second emission surface 26 was a fourth inclined surface that sloped inward as it moved away from the substrate 1, but the invention is not limited to this example. At least one of the second reflective surface 22 and the second emission surface 26 may extend parallel to the normal direction of the substrate 1 (e.g., the second direction UPR).

[0067] In the above embodiment, the vehicle lights 100 and 100A were combination lamps installed at the rear corners of the vehicle 50, but the invention is not limited to this example. For example, the vehicle light may be a lamp unit that combines the functions of a stop lamp (brake light) and a turn signal lamp (a red direction indicator light used in North America). The vehicle light may also be a lamp unit that combines the functions of a stop lamp, a tail lamp, and a turn signal lamp by using both a stop lamp and a turn signal lamp (a red direction indicator light used in North America).

[0068] In the above embodiment, the controller 71 illuminates the second light source unit 20 in a dimmed state and turns off the first light source unit 10 when the brakes are not applied to the vehicle 50, and illuminates both the first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20 at maximum brightness without dimming when the brakes are applied to the vehicle 50, but the embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, the controller 71 may illuminate both the first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20 in a dimmed state when the brakes are not applied to the vehicle 50, and illuminate both the first light source unit 10 and the second light source unit 20 at maximum brightness without dimming when the brakes are applied to the vehicle 50. The controller 71 may illuminate the second light source unit 20 in a dimmed state and turn off the first light source unit 10 when the brakes are not applied to the vehicle 50, and illuminate the first light source unit 10 at maximum brightness without dimming and illuminate the second light source unit 20 in a dimmed state when the brakes are applied to the vehicle 50.

[0069] The controller 71 may, when the brakes are not applied to the vehicle 50, illuminate the second light source 20 at its maximum brightness without dimming and turn off the first light source 10, and when the brakes are applied to the vehicle 50, illuminate both the first light source 10 and the second light source 20 at their maximum brightness without dimming. In this case, since it is essentially an ON or OFF control without illuminating in a dimmed state, the controller 71 may be omitted and the circuit may be configured using a relay or the like with an electrical signal from the vehicle 50.

[0070] The constituent elements of various embodiments of the present invention are described below. [1] A vehicle light fixture installed in a vehicle, which emits light in a predetermined range along a second direction intersecting a predetermined first direction, from the inside of the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle, A first light source unit and a second light source unit are provided on a substrate arranged along the first direction and emit light along the second direction, The device comprises a reflecting unit that reflects light from the first light source unit and the second light source unit along the first direction, The aforementioned reflective portion is A first reflective surface that reflects light from the first light source so as to emit light in a first light emission range within a predetermined range on the substrate side of the aforementioned light emission range, The light-emitting area includes a second reflective surface that reflects light from the second light source so as to emit light in a second light-emitting area that is further from the substrate than the first light-emitting area, The first light source is positioned on the substrate on the outside of the vehicle in the first direction compared to the second light source, A vehicle light fixture wherein the first reflective surface is located on the outside of the vehicle in the first direction compared to the second reflective surface. [2] The vehicle lamp according to [1], wherein the inner end of the first reflective surface is located on the inner side of the vehicle in the first direction relative to the optical axis of the first light source. [3] The vehicle lamp according to [1] or [2], wherein the reflecting portion has a third reflecting surface that branches a portion of the light from the second light source into branched light that does not go toward the second reflecting surface, and reflects the branched light so as to emit light within the first light emission range. [4] The reflective portion is a light guide that guides light from the first light source and the second light source, The light guide has a first extending portion that extends along the first direction, The first extension includes a first incident portion into which incident light from the first light source is incident, and a second incident portion into which incident light from the second light source is incident. The first reflective surface is a first inclined surface formed on the first extension so as to reflect light guided from the first incident portion, The vehicle light fixture according to [3], wherein the third reflective surface is a third inclined surface formed on the first extension so as to reflect the branched light guided from the second incident portion. [5] The light guide has a second extending portion that extends along the second direction away from the substrate, with the end of the first extending portion on the vehicle side in the first direction as its base end. The vehicle light fixture according to [4], wherein the second reflective surface is formed on the vehicle side in the first direction of the second extending portion. [6] The second extension has an exit surface that faces the second reflective surface in the first direction, The second reflective surface is a second inclined surface that slopes outward from the vehicle as it moves away from the substrate. The vehicle light fixture according to [5], wherein the emission surface is a fourth inclined surface that slopes inward toward the vehicle as it moves away from the substrate. [7] The vehicle light fixture according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the substrate is a planar substrate extending along the first direction and having a normal direction in the second direction. [8] A control device for a vehicle lighting device, comprising a controller for controlling a vehicle lighting device as described in any one of [3] to [6], The aforementioned controller, The first light source unit and the second light source unit are controlled based on the brake operation signal of the vehicle. If the brakes are not applied, the second light source is illuminated and the first light source is turned off. A control device for a vehicle lighting device that illuminates both the first light source and the second light source when the brakes are applied. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0071] 1...Substrate, 10...First light source, 10X...Optical axis, 11...First incident part, 12...First reflective surface, 12a...End, 20...Second light source, 21...Second incident part, 22...Second reflective surface, 23...Third reflective surface, 26...Second emission surface (emission surface), 30...Inner lens (reflective part), 31...First extension part, 31a...End, 32...Second extension part, 50...Vehicle, 70...Control device, 71...Controller, 100,100A...Vehicle lighting fixture, R0...Emitting range, R1...First emission range, R2...Second emission range, RR...First direction, UPR,OUT...Second direction.

Claims

1. A vehicle light fixture installed in a vehicle, which emits light in a predetermined range along a second direction intersecting a predetermined first direction, from the inside of the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle, A first light source unit and a second light source unit are provided on a substrate arranged along the first direction and emit light along the second direction, The device comprises a reflecting unit that reflects light from the first light source unit and the second light source unit along the first direction, The aforementioned reflective portion is A first reflective surface that reflects light from the first light source so as to emit light in a first light emission range within a predetermined range on the substrate side of the aforementioned light emission range, The light-emitting area includes a second reflective surface that reflects light from the second light source so as to emit light in a second light-emitting area that is further from the substrate than the first light-emitting area, The first light source is positioned on the substrate on the outside of the vehicle in the first direction compared to the second light source, A vehicle light fixture wherein the first reflective surface is located on the outside of the vehicle in the first direction compared to the second reflective surface.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the inner end of the first reflective surface is located on the inner side of the vehicle in the first direction relative to the optical axis of the first light source.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reflective portion has a third reflective surface that branches a portion of the light from the second light source into branched light that does not go toward the second reflective surface, and reflects the branched light so as to emit light within the first light emission range.

4. The reflective portion is a light guide that guides light from the first light source and the second light source, The light guide has a first extending portion that extends along the first direction, The first extension includes a first incident portion into which incident light from the first light source is incident, and a second incident portion into which incident light from the second light source is incident. The first reflective surface is a first inclined surface formed on the first extension so as to reflect light guided from the first incident portion, The vehicle lamp according to claim 3, wherein the third reflective surface is a third inclined surface formed on the first extending portion so as to reflect the branched light guided from the second incident portion.

5. The light guide has a second extending portion that extends along the second direction away from the substrate, with the end of the first extending portion on the vehicle side in the first direction as its base end. The vehicle light fixture according to claim 4, wherein the second reflective surface is formed on the vehicle side in the first direction of the second extending portion.

6. The second extension has an exit surface that faces the second reflective surface in the first direction, The second reflective surface is a second inclined surface that slopes outward from the vehicle as it moves away from the substrate. The vehicle light fixture according to claim 5, wherein the emission surface is a fourth inclined surface that slopes inward toward the vehicle as it moves away from the substrate.

7. The vehicle light fixture according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the substrate is a planar substrate that extends along the first direction and whose normal direction is the second direction.

8. A control device for a vehicle lighting device, comprising a controller for controlling the vehicle lighting device described in claim 3, The aforementioned controller, The first light source unit and the second light source unit are controlled based on the brake operation signal of the vehicle. If the brakes are not applied, the second light source is illuminated and the first light source is turned off. A control device for a vehicle lighting device that illuminates both the first light source and the second light source when the brakes are applied.

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