Vehicle lighting

Abstract

This invention provides a technology that allows for efficient use of space within the lamp chamber in a vehicle lamp equipped with a light guide. [Solution] The vehicle lamp comprises a light guide 20 that guides light from a light source 30, a holding member 22 that holds the light guide 20, an extension member 15 provided on the front side of the lamp of the light guide 20, and an elastically deformable buffer member 26 provided between the light guide and the extension member. The light guide 20 includes a light supply unit 42 having a light incident surface 42a and a light-emitting unit 40 integrally formed with the light supply unit 42. The extension member 15 presses the light supply unit 42 against the holding member 22 via the buffer member 26, and the light guide 20 abuts against the holding member 22, positioning the light incident surface 42a relative to the light source 30.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to vehicle lamps.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle lamp including a light source and a rod-shaped light guide arranged such that light from the light source is incident from one end surface, and the light guided inside the light guide is emitted from an emission surface along the longitudinal direction of the light guide toward the front of the lamp.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1, in order to position the light guide with respect to the light source, the light guide is fixed to the lamp housing with screws near the light incident portion of the light guide, so a space for fixing with screws is required near the light incident portion, and the space in the lamp chamber is not efficiently utilized.

[0005] This disclosure has been made in such a situation, and one of its exemplary purposes is to provide a technique that can efficiently utilize the space in the lamp chamber in a vehicle lamp including a light guide.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a vehicle lamp according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a light guide that guides light from a light source, a holding member that holds the light guide, an extension member provided on the front side of the lamp of the light guide, and an elastically deformable buffer member provided between the light guide and the extension member. The light guide includes a light supply section having a light incident surface and a light-emitting section integrally formed with the light supply section. The extension member presses the light supply section against the holding member via the buffer member, and the light guide abuts against the holding member so that the light incident surface is positioned relative to the light source. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, a technology is available that enables efficient use of space within the lamp chamber in a vehicle lamp equipped with a light guide. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic front view of a vehicle lighting device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic rear view of a vehicle lighting device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] This is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle lighting device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figures 5(a) and 5(b) are perspective views showing the light supply section of the light guide and its surrounding area. [Figure 6] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the cushioning member. [Figure 7] Figures 7(a) and 7(b) are perspective views showing the fixing mechanism using screws. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings, based on preferred embodiments. The embodiments are illustrative and not limiting, and not all features or combinations thereof described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the disclosure. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in each drawing will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted where appropriate.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a vehicle lighting device 1 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic rear view of the vehicle lighting device 1. The vehicle lighting device 1 comprises a lamp body 10, a transparent outer cover 12 that covers the front opening of the lamp body 10, and a first lighting unit 16, a second lighting unit 60, and a third lighting unit 62 arranged in a lighting chamber 14, which is the space between the lamp body 10 and the outer cover 12.

[0011] The vehicle lighting unit 1 is located at the rear of the vehicle. However, for example, the first lighting unit 16 is a taillight, the second lighting unit 60 is a stop lamp, and the third lighting unit 62 is a turn signal lamp.

[0012] The vehicle lighting unit 1 may be located at the front of the vehicle. In this case, for example, the first lighting unit 16 may be a DRL (Daytime Running Lamp), clearance lamp, or turn signal lamp, the second lighting unit 60 may be a low beam lamp, and the third lighting unit 62 may be a high beam lamp.

[0013] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle lighting unit 1. In Figure 3, the second lighting unit 60 and the third lighting unit 62 are omitted from the display.

[0014] The vehicle lamp 1 further includes an extension member 15. The extension member 15 is disposed in the lamp chamber 14. Specifically, the extension member 15 is disposed on the front side of the lamp units of the lamp units 16, 60, and 62. The extension member 15 is a member for masking the internal structure of the vehicle lamp 1 so that it cannot be seen from outside the lamp.

[0015] The first lamp unit 16 includes a light source unit 18, a light guide 20, a holding member 22, an inner lens 24, and a buffer member 26.

[0016] The light source unit 18 is, but not limited to, a socket-type light source unit, and includes a light source 30 and a socket 32 on which the light source 30 is mounted. The socket-type light source unit 18 is configured to be detachable from the lamp body 10.

[0017] The light source 30 is typically an LED (light emitting diode). The socket-type light source unit 18 in which the light source 30 is an LED is also referred to as an LED socket. The light source 30 may be an LD (laser diode), an organic EL (electroluminescence), an inorganic EL, or others.

[0018] The light guide 20 is a resin member having translucency, and is formed of, for example, an acrylic resin or a polycarbonate resin. The light guide 20 includes a light emitting portion 40 and a light supply portion 42. Light from the light source 30 is incident on the light supply portion 42. The light supply portion 42 is connected to the light emitting portion 40 and supplies the light from the light source 30 to the light emitting portion 40. The light supply portion 42 is preferably connected to the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the light emitting portion 40. The light emitting portion 40 and the light supply portion 42 are integrally formed, for example, by injection molding.

[0019] The light emitting portion 40 has a rod-like shape. The light emitting portion 40 has a first end face 40a, a second end face 40b, and a circumferential face 40c. The circumferential face 40c corresponds to the side face of the light emitting portion 40 that connects the two end faces 40a and 40b of the light emitting portion 40.

[0020] The light emitting part 40 may have a C-shaped form as viewed in the front-rear direction of the lamp, a linear (I-shaped) form, or other forms.

[0021] On the rear part of the lamp of the peripheral surface 40c of the light emitting part 40, a plurality of steps (not shown) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the light emitting part 40 are formed. The plurality of steps are uneven shapes or appropriate reflecting elements formed so as to totally reflect the light guiding inside the light emitting part 40 and emit it from the peripheral surface 40c toward the front of the lamp. A known configuration can be adopted for the plurality of steps.

[0022] The light supplied from the light supply part 42 to the light emitting part 40 is reflected by the steps while guiding inside the light emitting part 40, and is emitted from the front part of the peripheral surface 40c of the lamp.

[0023] '' The holding member 22 supports the light guide 20. Although not limited thereto, the holding member 22 has a function of reflecting light. Specifically, the holding member 22 has a reflecting surface 22a facing the front side of the lamp. The reflecting surface 22a extends along the light emitting part 40 and faces the peripheral surface 40c of the light emitting part 40 on the rear side of the light emitting part 40. The reflecting surface 22a is formed by, for example, vapor deposition treatment. The holding member 22 reflects the light leaking from the light emitting part 40 to the rear side of the lamp to the front side of the lamp by the reflecting surface 22a. The holding member 22 can also be regarded as a reflector having a function of supporting the light guide 20. In any case, since the holding member 22 has the reflecting surface 22a, the utilization efficiency of the light from the light source 30 is increased.

[0024] The inner lens 24 is disposed on the front side of the lamp of the light guide 20 so as to at least conceal the light emitting part 40. The inner lens 24 has translucency and transmits the light emitted from the light guide 20. That is, the light from the light source 30 is emitted to the outside of the vehicle lamp 1 through the light guide 20 and the inner lens 24. The inner lens 24 may be colorless or may have an appropriate color according to the use of the vehicle lamp 1.

[0025] The inner lens 24 is configured to diffuse light, although this is not always the case. For example, a diffusing agent may be incorporated into the inner lens 24, or the surface of the inner lens 24 may be given a textured finish to diffuse light. In any case, the inner lens 24 emits light from the light-emitting part 40 of the light guide 20 that is emitted in front of the lamp. The figure labeled 16 in Figure 1 can also be interpreted as showing the light emission of the inner lens 24.

[0026] The buffer member 26 is provided between the extension member 15 and the light supply section 42 of the light guide 20. As will be described in more detail later, the extension member 15 presses the light guide 20 against the rear side of the lamp, specifically against the holding member 22, via the buffer member 26, thereby positioning the light guide 20 relative to the holding member 22 and, consequently, the light source 30.

[0027] In the first luminaire unit 16, light from the light source 30 enters the light supply unit 42 from the light incident surface 42a. At least a portion of the light that enters the light supply unit 42 enters the light-emitting unit 40 from the light supply unit 42. A portion of the light that enters the light-emitting unit 40 is guided through the interior of the light-emitting unit 40 toward the first end surface 40a, and in the process is reflected by the step and emitted from the front side of the circumferential surface 40c. At least another portion of the light that enters the light-emitting unit 40 is guided through the interior of the light-emitting unit 40 toward the second end surface 40b, and in the process is reflected by the step and emitted from the front side of the circumferential surface 40c. The light emitted from the circumferential surface 40c of the light-emitting unit 40 toward the front side of the luminaire passes through the inner lens 24 and the outer cover 12 and is emitted outside the luminaire.

[0028] The above describes the basic configuration of the vehicle lighting device 1. Next, the positioning of the light guide 20 relative to the light source 30 will be explained in detail.

[0029] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a cross-section of the light guide 20 passing through the light supply section 42 and the buffer member 26. Figures 5(a) and (b) are perspective views showing the light supply section 42 and its surroundings in the light guide 20. Figure 5(a) shows the state with the buffer member 26 attached, and Figure 5(b) shows the state with the buffer member 26 removed. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the buffer member 26. Figures 7(a) and (b) are perspective views showing how it is fixed with screws. The cross-section in Figure 7(a) corresponds to the cross-section along line BB in Figure 2. The cross-section in Figure 7(b) corresponds to the cross-section along line CC in Figure 2.

[0030] As will be described later, the light guide 20 has a light supply unit 42 pressed against the rear side of the lamp (upper side in Figure 4) by a buffer member 26, so that the flange 42b of the light supply unit 42 abuts against the positioning projection 22b of the holding member 22. This determines the position of the light guide 20 in the front-rear direction of the lamp relative to the holding member 22.

[0031] The retaining member 22 protrudes from the rear of the luminaire, or in other words, towards the light source 30, beyond the light incident surface 42a of the light supply section 42 of the light guide 20, and abuts against the lamp body 10 (see Figure 4). The retaining member 22 may not directly abut the lamp body 10, but rather abut against other members abutting the lamp body 10, or in other words, abut against the lamp body 10 via other members abutting the lamp body 10. That is, the retaining member 22 may abut the lamp body 10 indirectly. In any case, the position of the retaining member 22 in the front-to-back direction of the luminaire (up-down direction in Figure 4) relative to the lamp body 10 is determined by whether the retaining member 22 directly or indirectly abuts the lamp body 10.

[0032] Therefore, the position of the light guide 20 in the front-to-back direction of the luminaire relative to the holding member 22 and thus the lamp body 10 is determined by the light supply unit 42 being pressed against the rear side of the luminaire by the buffer member 26, and furthermore, the position of the luminaire in the front-to-back direction relative to the light source 30 fixed to the lamp body 10 is also determined. In other words, the light guide 20 is positioned so that the light incident surface 42a faces the light source 30 at a desired distance. To put it another way, the light incident surface 42a is positioned relative to the light source 30.

[0033] The retaining member 22 is fixed to the lamp body 10 by screws 70 at two locations in Figure 2, the upper right and lower right (see Figures 2 and 7(a)). The extension member 15 is fixed to the lamp body 10 by screws 72 at two locations in Figure 2, the upper left and lower left (see Figures 2 and 7(b)). The retaining member 22 and the extension member 15 are lance-engaged with each other, although this is not shown in the illustration.

[0034] The buffer member 26 also functions as a light-shielding member that blocks light leaking from the light supply unit 42 from being emitted outside the luminaire. Therefore, the buffer member 26 has a shape that covers the front side of the light supply unit 42.

[0035] The buffer member 26 engages with the retaining member 22 in a lance-like manner, thereby restricting the movement (detachment) of the buffer member 26 toward the front of the light fixture.

[0036] The buffer member 26 has a projection 26a that protrudes to the rear of the lamp. When the buffer member 26 is pressed to the rear of the lamp by the extension member 15, the projection 26a presses the light supply section 42 of the light guide 20 to the rear of the lamp, i.e., to the holding member 22.

[0037] The cushioning member 26 is configured to be elastically deformable at least the portion on the front side of the lamp, i.e., the extension member 15 side, of the projection 26a (hereinafter referred to as the tip portion 26b). In particular, the cushioning member 26 is configured to be elastically deformable more easily than the extension member 15, at least at the tip portion 26b. When assembled to the vehicle lamp 1, the cushioning member 26 is pressed against the rear side of the lamp by the extension member 15 and elastically deforms.

[0038] Here, "elastically deformable" means having flexibility that allows it to be deformed in a way that allows it to be restored. Specifically, for example, it means having the flexibility to deform when pressed against the rear side of the vehicle light fixture 1 by the extension member 15 during assembly, and having the ability to return to its original shape when the pressing force is removed. Note that the original shape here is not limited to being exactly the same as the shape before deformation, but also includes being approximately the same as the shape before deformation.

[0039] To achieve this, the cushioning member 26 may be constructed with a thinner wall at least at its tip portion 26b than the extension member 15. In the illustrated example, the cushioning member 26 is constructed with a thinner wall overall than the extension member 15. For example, the thickness of the extension member 15 may be 2.5 mm, while the thickness of the cushioning member 26 may be 1.5 mm.

[0040] Furthermore, the tip portion 26b of the cushioning member 26 may have a curved or bent shape, as shown in the figure. More specifically, the cushioning member 26 has a first extension portion 26c and a second extension portion 26d. The first extension portion 26c extends from the projection portion 26a generally toward the front of the lamp. The second extension portion 26d extends from the first extension portion 26c generally in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction in Figure 4). In other words, the second extension portion 26d extends along the extension member 15. The extension member 15 presses the tip side of the second extension portion 26d (opposite to the first extension portion 26c) in a direction intersecting the plane direction of the second extension portion 26d, that is, generally toward the rear of the lamp. As a result, the cushioning member 26 is pressed by the extension member 15 and undergoes bending deformation rather than compression deformation, and thus deforms relatively easily.

[0041] Because the cushioning member 26 is elastically deformable, the extension member 15 can press the light guide 20 against the holding member 22 via the cushioning member 26, and manufacturing and assembly errors of the extension member 15, the light guide 20, and other components are absorbed, thus enabling the assembly of the vehicle lighting fixture 1.

[0042] Next, an example of how to assemble the vehicle lighting fixture 1 will be described. First, the light guide 20 is fitted into the holding member 22. Next, the buffer member 26 is attached to the holding member 22 by lance engagement. Next, the extension member 15 is lance-engaged to the holding member 22. As a result, the buffer member 26 is pressed against the light guide 20, and the light guide 20 is pressed against the holding member 22. At this time, the buffer member 26 undergoes elastic deformation. Finally, the assembly including the light guide 20, holding member 22, buffer member 26, and extension member 15 is fixed to the lamp body 10 with screws.

[0043] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be explained. According to this embodiment, the extension member presses the light guide 20 against the rear side of the lamp, i.e., the holding member 22, via the buffer member 26, thereby positioning the light guide 20 relative to the holding member 22 and, consequently, the light source 30. Therefore, since it is not necessary to fix the light guide 20 to the lamp body 10 with screws near the light incident surface 42a of the light guide 20, space for fixing with screws near the light incident surface 42a is unnecessary, and thus the space inside the lamp chamber 14 can be used more efficiently compared to the case where the light guide 20 is fixed with screws near the light incident surface 42a.

[0044] The present disclosure has been described above based on embodiments. These embodiments are illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in combinations of their components and processing processes, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0045] Any combination of the embodiments and modifications described above is also useful as an embodiment of this disclosure. The new embodiments resulting from these combinations will possess the effects of the combined embodiments and modifications. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the functions to be performed by each component described in the claims can be achieved by each component shown in the embodiments and modifications individually or in combination thereof. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 1 Vehicle light fixture, 15 Extension member, 20 Light guide, 22 Holding member, 26 Cushioning member.

Claims

1. A light guide that directs light from a light source, A holding member for holding the light guide, An extension member provided on the front side of the light guide, An elastically deformable buffer member is provided between the light guide and the extension member, Equipped with, The light guide includes a light supply section having a light incident surface and a light-emitting section integrally formed with the light supply section. The extension member presses the light supply unit against the holding member via the buffer member, and the light guide body abuts against the holding member so that the light incident surface is positioned relative to the light source. Vehicle lighting fixtures.

2. The cushioning member is formed to be at least partially thinner than the extension member. A vehicle light fixture according to claim 1.

3. The buffer member has a first extending portion that extends in the front-rear direction of the lamp, and a second extending portion that extends from the first extending portion along the extension member and is pressed against the rear side of the lamp by the extension member. A vehicle light fixture according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned buffer member is a light-shielding member that blocks light. A vehicle light fixture according to claim 1.

5. The retaining member abuts directly or indirectly against the lamp body of the vehicle light fixture, The light source is fixed to the lamp body. A vehicle light fixture according to claim 1.

6. The holding member has a function of reflecting light. A vehicle light fixture according to claim 1.

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