Vehicle lighting

Abstract

The design is enhanced by improving visibility when light is not being emitted, while ensuring sufficient brightness of the light being projected outwards. [Solution] The device comprises a first light source that emits light, a second light source that emits light, a reflector that reflects light emitted from the first light source, an inner lens having an incident surface and an exit surface, with a plurality of focusing steps formed on the incident surface to control the light reflected by the reflector, and a plurality of light-transmitting portions and light-transmitting limiting portions with a lower light transmittance than the light-transmitting portions formed on the exit surface, and a light guide having an incoming surface and an outgoing surface, which is emitted from the second light source, guides the light incident from the incoming surface and emits it from the outgoing surface, and through which the light emitted from the inner lens is transmitted, so that light can be emitted from the first light source and the second light source simultaneously.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicle lamps in which light emitted from a light source is controlled by an inner lens and irradiated.

Background Art

[0002] Some vehicle lamps are configured such that a light source that emits light is disposed inside a lamp outer casing composed of a cover and a lamp housing, and the light emitted from the light source is reflected by a reflector and controlled by an inner lens and irradiated outward (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1, a covering portion is provided on the emission surface side of the inner lens, and the covering portion is composed of a plurality of transmission regions (light transmission portions) that transmit light and a shielding region (light shielding portion) that shields light. The transmission region is a region sufficiently smaller than the shielding region. When light is emitted from the light source, the light is transmitted through the transmission region and irradiated outward. When light is not emitted, when the vehicle lamp is visually recognized from the outside, the inside of the vehicle lamp cannot be visually recognized by the shielding region.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in the configuration having the above-described light transmission portion and light shielding portion, in order to enhance the non-visibility of the inside of the vehicle lamp when light is not emitted, the light transmission portion is a region sufficiently smaller than the light shielding portion. Therefore, the amount of light irradiated outward when light is emitted may be reduced, and sufficient brightness of the irradiated light may not be ensured.

[0006] Therefore, the vehicle lighting device of the present invention aims to improve the design by enhancing the non-visibility when light is not being emitted, while ensuring sufficient brightness of the light emitted outwards. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vehicle lighting device according to the present invention comprises a first light source that emits light, a second light source that emits light, a reflector that reflects light emitted from the first light source, an inner lens having an incident surface and an outgoing surface, with a plurality of focusing steps formed on the incident surface to control the light reflected by the reflector, and a plurality of light-transmitting portions and light-transmitting limiting portions having a lower light transmittance than the light-transmitting portions formed on the outgoing surface, and a light guide having an incoming surface and an outgoing surface, which guides light emitted from the second light source and incident on the incoming surface, and through which light emitted from the inner lens is transmitted, and light can be emitted from the first light source and the second light source simultaneously.

[0008] As a result, light is emitted simultaneously from the first and second light sources, causing the light emitted from the first light source to exit from the light-emitting surface of the light guide via multiple light-transmitting parts of the inner lens, while the light emitted from the second light source is guided by the light guide and exits from the light-emitting surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, when light is emitted simultaneously from a first light source and a second light source, the light emitted from the first light source is emitted from the light-emitting surface of the light guide via multiple light-transmitting parts of the inner lens, and the light emitted from the second light source is guided by the light guide and emitted from the light-emitting surface. This enhances the invisibility when light is not being emitted, improving the design, while ensuring sufficient brightness of the light irradiated outwards. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1]Figures 2 to 7 illustrate embodiments of the vehicle lighting device of the present invention, and this figure is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle lighting device. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the paths of light emitted from the first and second light sources in a vertical cross-section. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing a portion of the inner lens. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing a part of the light guide. [Figure 5] This is a front view showing the positional relationship between the light-transmitting portion formed in the inner lens and the light-collecting step formed in the light guide. [Figure 6] This is a rear view showing an example where the light guide's reflection step is formed in a hole shape, along with the light-transmitting portion of the inner lens. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing light-transmitting sections arranged in a striped pattern and cylindrical steps formed as light-collecting steps. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The embodiments for implementing the vehicle lighting device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0012] The following describes the directions of light emission from a vehicle's lighting fixture, with the direction of light emission being forward, and the directions of forward, backward, up, down, left, and right being described. However, the directions of forward, backward, up, down, left, and right shown below are for the convenience of explanation, and the invention is not limited to these directions.

[0013] The vehicle light fixture 1 is formed as a whole in a horizontally elongated shape, for example, extending to the left and right. However, the vehicle light fixture 1 may be formed in a curved shape in at least a part of it.

[0014] The vehicle lighting fixture 1 comprises a lamp housing 2 having an opening at its front end and a cover 3 that closes the opening of the lamp housing 2 (see Figure 1). The lamp housing 2 and the cover 3 constitute the outer casing 4 of the lighting fixture.

[0015] The lamp housing 2 has an arrangement recess 2a that is open to the front. In the lamp housing 2, the rear portion of the arrangement recess 2a is provided as a mounting portion 5. In the lamp housing 2, the left and right portions of the arrangement recess 2a are respectively provided as side wall portions 6, and the lower portion of the arrangement recess 2a is provided as a base portion 7.

[0016] A lamp unit 8 is arranged inside the lamp outer casing 4. The lamp unit 8 has a first substrate 9, a first light source 10, a reflector 11, an inner lens 12, a light guide 13, a second substrate 14, and a second light source 15.

[0017] The first substrate 9 is formed, for example, in a horizontally long rectangular shape and is attached to the heat sink 16. The heat sink 16 is formed, for example, in a horizontally long plate shape that faces the vertical direction, and the rear portion is attached to the upper surface of the mounting portion 5 in the lamp housing 2 by screwing or the like. When the heat sink 16 is attached to the mounting portion 5, a part of it is located in front of the mounting portion 5. The first substrate 9 is attached to the lower surface of the heat sink 16.

[0018] A plurality of first light sources 10 are provided and are mounted on the lower surface of the first substrate 9. As the first light source 10, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) is used.

[0019] The reflector 11 is configured by integrally forming a plurality of reflection portions 17 arranged side by side left and right. The reflection portion 17 is formed in a shape that is open to the front, and the inner surface is formed as a reflection surface 17a. The reflection surface 17a has a function of reflecting the incident light as parallel light.

[0020] As described above, by integrally forming a plurality of reflection portions 17 to form the reflector 11, it is possible to reduce the number of parts of the vehicle lamp 1, improve the positional accuracy of the reflection portion 17 with respect to the inner lens 12, and ensure high accuracy in the traveling direction of the light reflected by the reflection portion 17.

[0021] The reflector 11 is attached to the lamp housing 2 while being disposed in the placement recess 2a. In a state where the reflector 11 is attached to the lamp housing 2, the reflecting surfaces 17a are respectively positioned below the first light sources 10 mounted on the first substrate 9 (see FIG. 2). Therefore, the light emitted from the first light sources 10 is reflected by the reflecting surfaces 17a to be parallel light.

[0022] The inner lens 12 is formed in a plate shape facing the horizontal longitudinal direction, and for example, both left and right end portions are respectively attached to the front surfaces of the side wall portions 6 in the lamp housing 2. The rear surface of the inner lens 12 is formed as an incident surface 18 and the front surface is formed as an exit surface 19 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0023] A plurality of condensing steps 20 are formed on the incident surface 18. As the condensing steps 20, for example, fisheye steps are formed, and the condensing steps 20 are arranged in a lattice shape in a state where a large number are arranged vertically and horizontally. The light incident on the condensing steps 20 is controlled and condensed by the condensing steps 20 and heads toward the exit surface 19. The condensing steps 20 are formed in a shape protruding rearward.

[0024] A plurality of light transmission portions 21 and light transmission limiting portions 22 are formed on the exit surface 19 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). The light transmission portions 21 and the light transmission limiting portions 22 are formed by, for example, attaching a film having a large number of holes, or by printing. The light transmission limiting portions 22 have a lower light transmittance than the light transmission portions 21, and are, for example, in a dark color such as black. When a film is attached to form the light transmission portions 21 and the light transmission limiting portions 22, the hole portions of the film are the light transmission portions 21 and the portions other than the holes are the light transmission limiting portions 22. When the light transmission portions 21 and the light transmission limiting portions 22 are formed by printing, the portions where dark printing is applied are the light transmission limiting portions 22 and the portions other than the light transmission limiting portions 22 are the light transmission portions 21.

[0025] In this way, the light transmission limiting section 22 functions as a light-shielding section that blocks light when it is darkened, so the internal structure of the vehicle lamp 1 is shielded by the light transmission limiting section 22, making it difficult to see the internal structure of the vehicle lamp 1 when light is not being emitted (when the lamp is off), thereby improving the design of the vehicle lamp 1.

[0026] Furthermore, the light transmission limiting section 22 does not need to have a light-shielding rate of 100%, but it is sufficient that its light transmittance is lower than that of the light transmission section 21.

[0027] The light-transmitting portion 21 is formed, for example, in a rectangular or circular shape. However, the shape of the light-transmitting portion 21 may be other shapes besides rectangular or circular. Multiple light-transmitting portions 21 are arranged, for example, in a grid pattern in the vertical and horizontal directions, and the same number of portions as the number of light-gathering steps 20 are formed in front of the light-gathering step 20.

[0028] The light guide 13 is shaped like a horizontally elongated plate facing in the front-to-back direction and is positioned on the opposite side of the reflector 11, with the inner lens 12 in between. The rear surface of the light guide 13 is formed as a light-receiving surface 23 and the front surface is formed as a light-emitting surface 24 (see Figures 1, 2, and 4). One end surface of the light guide 13 in the left-to-right direction is formed as a light-incoming surface 25. However, both end surfaces of the light guide 13 in the left-to-right direction may each be formed as light-incoming surfaces 25.

[0029] Multiple reflection steps 26 are formed on the light-receiving surface 23 (see Figure 4). The reflection steps 26 have the function of totally reflecting (internal reflection) the light incident from the light-receiving surface 25 toward the light-emitting surface 24. The reflection steps 26 are formed, for example, in a V-groove shape and consist of multiple first parts 26a that extend vertically and multiple second parts 26b that are spaced apart vertically. The reflection steps 26 are arranged in a manner where, for example, two first parts 26a and one second part 26b are repeatedly arranged in the left-right direction. Therefore, light is emitted from the front part of the portion of the light-emitting surface 24 of the light guide 13 where the reflection steps 26 are formed. The number and arrangement of the first parts 26a and second parts 26b are arbitrary; for example, one first part 26a and one second part 26b may be repeatedly arranged in a manner.

[0030] The light guide 13 is positioned opposite the inner lens 12, and the reflection step 26 has a first portion 26a and a second portion 26b formed at a position opposite, for example, the light transmission limiting portion 22 of the inner lens 12 (see Figure 5). For example, two first portions 26a are positioned opposite the portion between adjacent light transmission portions 21 on the left and right, and one second portion 26b is positioned opposite the portion between adjacent light transmission portions 21 on the top and bottom.

[0031] The above example shows the reflection step 26 formed in a V-groove shape, but the reflection step 26 may also be formed in the shape of a predetermined hole (see Figure 6). Examples of hole shapes for the reflection step 26 include conical, pyramidal, and hemispherical shapes.

[0032] Furthermore, in the light guide 13, the reflection step 26 may be formed over substantially the entire surface of the light receiving surface 23, and light may be emitted from the entire surface of the light emitting surface 24. Alternatively, in the light guide 13, the reflection step 26 may be composed only of a plurality of first parts 26a.

[0033] The second substrate 14 is formed, for example, in a vertically elongated rectangular shape and is arranged facing left to right.

[0034] At least one second light source 15 is provided and mounted on one side of the second substrate 14 in the thickness direction. The second light source 15 is positioned facing the light-receiving surface 25 of the light guide 13. If multiple second light sources 15 are provided, they are mounted on the second substrate 14 spaced apart vertically. Similar to the first light source 10, for example, light-emitting diodes are used as the second light source 15.

[0035] Furthermore, if both end faces of the light guide 13 in the left-right direction are formed as light-receiving surfaces 25, two second substrates 14 are arranged, and the second light sources 15 are positioned so that they face the left and right light-receiving surfaces 25. By forming both end faces of the light guide 13 in the left-right direction as light-receiving surfaces 25 and positioning the second light sources 15 so that they face the respective light-receiving surfaces 25, the brightness of the light emitted from the light guide 13 is improved.

[0036] Inside the outer casing of the lamp 4, a frame-shaped extension 27 is positioned between the light guide 13 and the cover 3 (see Figure 1). The extension 27 has the function of shielding a part of the internal structure of the vehicle lamp 1. Specifically, the outer periphery of the light-emitting surface 24 of the light guide 13 is covered from the front by the extension 27.

[0037] In the vehicle lighting device 1 configured as described above, light P and light Q are emitted simultaneously from the first light source 10 and the second light source 15, respectively (see Figure 2).

[0038] Light P emitted from the first light source 10 is reflected by the reflective surface 17a of the reflecting section 17 and incident as parallel light on the focusing step 20 of the inner lens 12 (see Figure 2). The light P incident on the focusing step 20 is focused by the focusing step 20, and for example, the focusing point T coincides with the central point M of the light transmitting section 21 formed on the emission surface 19 (see Figure 3).

[0039] Because the focusing point T of the light controlled by the focusing step 20 coincides with the central point M of the light transmitting section 21, the light controlled by the focusing step 20 is focused at the central point M of the light transmitting section 21. Therefore, regardless of the positional accuracy of the reflecting section 17 and the inner lens 12, or the size of the light transmitting section 21, there is no loss of light transmitted through the light transmitting section 21, and a sufficient amount of light can be directed outwards.

[0040] The light P focused by the focusing step 20 enters the light guide 13 from the light receiving surface 23, is emitted from the light emitting surface 24 of the light guide 13, passes through the cover 3, and is irradiated outwards. At this time, most of the light P is emitted from the portion located in front of the light transmitting portion 21 on the light emitting surface 24.

[0041] The light P emitted from the light-transmitting section 21 is diffused and irradiated in the vertical and horizontal directions. Therefore, a wide area is irradiated with light P.

[0042] Furthermore, the focusing point T does not necessarily have to coincide with the central point M of the light-transmitting section 21; it may coincide with any position on the light-transmitting section 21.

[0043] In the vehicle lighting device 1, multiple light-transmitting sections 21 are formed in the same number as the number of light-concentrating steps 20, for example, in a grid pattern arranged vertically and horizontally, in front of the light-concentrating step 20. Therefore, light P, which is concentrated and controlled by each light-concentrating step 20, is emitted from each light-transmitting section 21.

[0044] In this way, the light P controlled by the focusing step 20 is focused and emitted from the light transmitting section 21, and is irradiated outwards from the light transmitting section 21 without reaching the light transmission limiting section 22, thus improving the emission efficiency.

[0045] Furthermore, the light transmission limiting section 22 shields the structure located behind the inner lens 12, making it difficult to see the structure located behind the inner lens 12 from the light transmission section 21. This improves the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle lamp 1 when it is not emitting light (when it is turned off) and is visible from the outside. As a result, the vehicle lamp 1 can achieve high light emission efficiency while improving its aesthetic appearance when it is not emitting light.

[0046] Meanwhile, the light Q emitted from the second light source 15 enters the light guide 13 from the light receiving surface 25, is guided in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction), is totally reflected by the reflection step 26, and is emitted from the light emitting surface 24. The light Q emitted from the light emitting surface 24 is transmitted through the cover 3 and irradiated outwards.

[0047] When light Q is emitted from the light-emitting surface 24, the light Q is diffused in the vertical and horizontal directions. At this time, since the reflection step 26 is formed at a position facing the light transmission limiting portion 22 of the inner lens 12, most of the light Q is emitted from the portion of the light-emitting surface 24 located in front of the light transmission limiting portion 22. Therefore, light P, which is mostly emitted from the portion of the light-emitting surface 24 located in front of the light transmission portion 21, and light Q, which is mostly emitted from the portion of the light-emitting surface 24 located in front of the light transmission limiting portion 22, are more likely to be emitted from different regions of the light-emitting surface 24. As a result, the intensity of the light emitted from the light guide 13 does not change easily depending on the light emission position, and uniform light is emitted from the light-emitting surface 24 overall, making it possible to achieve uniformity in the brightness of the light irradiated from the vehicle lamp 1.

[0048] As described above, the vehicle light fixture 1 includes an inner lens 12 having a plurality of light-transmitting sections 21 and light-transmitting limiting sections 22 with a lower light transmittance than the light-transmitting sections 21, and a light guide 13 that emits light emitted from the second light source 15 and through which light emitted from the inner lens 12 is transmitted, so that light can be emitted simultaneously from the first light source 10 and the second light source 15.

[0049] Therefore, when light is emitted simultaneously from the first light source 10 and the second light source 15, the light emitted from the first light source 10 is emitted from the light-emitting surface 24 of the light guide 13 via the multiple light-transmitting parts 21 of the inner lens 12, and the light emitted from the second light source 15 is guided by the light guide 13 and emitted from the light-emitting surface 24. This enhances the invisibility when light is not being emitted, thereby improving the design, while ensuring sufficient brightness of the light irradiated outwards.

[0050] Furthermore, a fisheye step is formed as a light-gathering step 20, and multiple light-transmitting sections 21 are arranged in a grid pattern, so that light controlled by one light-gathering step 20 is transmitted through one light-transmitting section 21.

[0051] Therefore, since each light source controlled and focused by the fisheye step is transmitted through the light transmission section 21, it is easy to control the focusing of the light and direct the desired light outwards.

[0052] The above describes an example in which light is emitted simultaneously from the first light source 10 and the second light source 15. However, in the case of a vehicle lighting device 1, in the case of a combination lamp that functions as two types of lamps, it is possible to configure the device to have a first mode in which light is emitted simultaneously from the first light source 10 and the second light source 15, and a second mode in which light is emitted from the second light source 15 when light is not emitted from the first light source 10.

[0053] For example, this can be applied to vehicle lighting fixtures 1 that function as a combination lamp with daytime running lamp and clearance lamp functions, or as a combination lamp with stop lamp and taillight functions.

[0054] Specifically, when functioning as a high-brightness lamp such as a daytime running lamp or stop lamp, the system is set to a first mode in which light is emitted simultaneously from the first light source 10 and the second light source 15. When functioning as a low-brightness clearance lamp or taillight, light is not emitted from the first light source 10, and light is emitted only from the second light source 15. With this configuration, when functioning as a daytime running lamp or stop lamp, the light emitted from the first light source 10 and the second light source 15 is directed outwards in a high-brightness state, and when functioning as a clearance lamp or taillight, only the light emitted from the second light source 15 is directed outwards in a low-brightness state.

[0055] Therefore, it is possible to reduce power consumption and improve the functionality of the vehicle lighting fixture 1 while ensuring sufficient brightness for each type (function) of lamp. In addition, since the illumination state related to the brightness of the light changes according to the type of lamp, the impression of the vehicle lighting fixture 1 when viewed from the outside will differ, thereby improving visibility and design.

[0056] In addition, although the above example shows that light controlled by one focusing step 20 in the inner lens 12 is transmitted through one light-transmitting section 21, the vehicle lamp 1 may be configured so that light controlled by multiple focusing steps 20 is transmitted through one light-transmitting section 21. In this case, it becomes possible to reduce the number of light-transmitting sections 21 and reduce the total area of ​​the light-transmitting sections 21, making the internal structure of the vehicle lamp 1 even less visible when light is not being emitted, and further improving the design.

[0057] Furthermore, although examples of light-transmitting portions 21 formed in rectangular or circular shapes have been shown above, the light-transmitting portions 21 may also be arranged in a stripe pattern aligned in a predetermined direction, for example. When light-transmitting portions 21 of such shapes are formed, it is desirable to form cylindrical steps, for example, as light-collecting steps 20, which are located behind the light-transmitting portions 21.

[0058] By forming a cylindrical step as the focusing step 20, reflected light incident on the focusing step 20 is focused by the focusing step 20, passed through the light-transmitting section 21, and irradiated outwards.

[0059] In this way, a cylindrical step is formed as the focusing step 20, and multiple light-transmitting sections 21 are arranged in a stripe pattern. Since light controlled by one focusing step 20 is transmitted through one light-transmitting section 21, and the light focused and controlled by the cylindrical step is transmitted through each light-transmitting section 21, the focusing control of the light is easy, and the desired light can be directed outwards. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1. Vehicle lighting fixtures 10 First light source 11 Reflector 12 Inner Lenses 13 Light guide 15. Second light source 18 Entrance plane 19. Ejection surface 20 Focusing Steps 21 Light transmission part 22 Light transmission limiting section 23 Photosensitive surface 24 Idemitsu surface 25 Light entrance surface 26 Reflection Step

Claims

1. A first light source that emits light, A second light source that emits light, A reflector that reflects light emitted from the first light source, An inner lens having an incident surface and an outgoing surface, wherein the incident surface has a plurality of light-gathering steps for controlling the light reflected by the reflector, and the outgoing surface has a plurality of light-transmitting portions and light-transmitting limiting portions with a light transmittance lower than that of the light-transmitting portions, The device comprises a light guide having a light-receiving surface and a light-emitting surface, which is emitted from the second light source, guides the light incident on the light-receiving surface, emits the light from the light-emitting surface, and transmits the light emitted from the inner lens, Light can be emitted simultaneously from the first light source and the second light source. Vehicle lighting fixtures.

2. The surface of the light guide opposite to the light-emitting surface is formed as a light-receiving surface to which light emitted from the inner lens is incident. The light-emitting surface and the light-receiving surface are positioned facing each other. The light-receiving surface is formed with a reflection step that totally reflects the light incident from the light-receiving surface toward the light-emitting surface. The reflection step is formed at a position opposite the light transmission limiting portion. A vehicle light fixture according to claim 1.

3. When light is not emitted from the first light source, light is made available from the second light source. A vehicle light fixture according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. A fisheye step is formed as the light-gathering step. Multiple of the aforementioned light-transmitting parts are arranged in a grid pattern, Light controlled by one of the light focusing steps is transmitted through one of the light transmitting sections. A vehicle light fixture according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. The light transmission limiting portion is formed as a light-shielding portion that blocks light. A vehicle light fixture according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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