Vehicle lighting

Abstract

The objective is to provide a vehicle lighting fixture that can emit light in two directions and is aesthetically pleasing. [Solution] This invention comprises a light source 5, a reflector 6, an additional reflector 7, and an optical control unit 8. The optical control unit 8 comprises an incident surface 80, a first optical surface 81, and a second optical surface 82. The first optical surface 81 emits the first emitted light L11 in a first direction D1. The second optical surface 82 emits the second emitted light L12 in a second direction D2. As a result, this invention can emit light L10, L11, and L12 in a main direction DM and in two directions D1 and D2 that are different from the main direction DM.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle lamp.

Background Art

[0002] As a vehicle lamp capable of securing a side visibility angle, for example, there is a vehicle lamp shown in Patent Document 1.

[0003] Hereinafter, the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 will be described. The vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 includes a light source and a light guide. The light guide includes an incident portion, a first light guide portion, and a second light guide portion. The second light guide portion is formed with an emission surface for emitting the reflected light from the second reflection surface of the first light guide portion forward, and a third reflection surface for internally reflecting the reflected light from the second reflection surface and emitting it laterally from the second light guide portion.

[0004] Thereby, the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 can obtain, as the emitted light from the light guide, not only the light emitted forward from the emission surface of the second light guide portion but also the side irradiation light emitted in a direction forming a large angle with respect to the front-rear direction of the lamp by the reflected light from the third reflection surface. As a result, the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 can secure a side visibility angle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1 emits lateral illumination light in a direction that forms a large angle with respect to the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, that is, in a single direction. As a result, if the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1 emits lateral illumination light in two directions relative to the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, it is necessary to arrange a separate reflective surface to emit lateral illumination light in the other direction, in addition to the third reflective surface that emits lateral illumination light in one direction. Therefore, the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1 has aesthetic problems due to the separately arranged third reflective surface and other reflective surfaces.

[0007] The problem this invention aims to solve is to provide a vehicle light fixture that can emit light in two directions and is aesthetically pleasing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A vehicle light fixture according to the first aspect of this invention solves the above-mentioned problems, A vehicle light fixture that emits light in a primary direction and in two directions different from the primary direction, Light source and Reflector, Additional reflectors, Optical control unit and Equipped with, The reflector reflects a portion of the light from the light source as first reflected light. The additional reflector reflects the remaining portion of the light from the light source as second reflected light. The optical control unit, The incident surface and, At least a first optical surface and a second optical surface, It has, The incident surface is, The device has the function of injecting the first reflected light as the first incident light and the second reflected light as the second incident light, respectively. The first optical surface is, A reflective surface function that reflects a portion of the first incident light as a third reflected light towards the second optical surface, An emission surface function that emits the second incident light as the first emitted light in a first direction different from the main direction, It has, The second optical surface has an emission surface function that causes the third reflected light to be emitted as a second emitted light in a second direction different from the main direction and the first direction. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The vehicle lighting fixture of this invention can emit light in two directions and does not present any aesthetic problems. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the vehicle lighting device according to this invention in a state of use, and is a front view when the light is not illuminated. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view showing the state when the lights are not illuminated, and is a view taken along arrow II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a front view showing the two light paths of the vehicle light fixture on the right. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the vehicle light fixture on the right, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the light path of the vehicle's lighting fixture on the right when it is illuminated. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the optical path in the optical control unit of the vehicle lighting fixture on the right, and is an enlarged cross-sectional view of section VI in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the optical control unit of the vehicle lighting fixture on the right, and is a partially enlarged transverse cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 6. Figure 7(A) is a partially enlarged transverse cross-sectional view showing the height of the third optical surface and the height of the top surface. Figure 7(B) is a partially enlarged transverse cross-sectional view showing the thickness of the lamp lens. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a partially enlarged front explanatory view showing the optical path in the optical control unit of the vehicle lighting fixture on the right. Figure 8(A) is a partially enlarged front explanatory view showing the optical path in an optical control unit with a block structure. Figure 8(B) is a partially enlarged front explanatory view showing the optical path in an optical control unit that does not have a block structure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the right vehicle lamp and the optical path during lighting, and is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 3. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged front view showing the optical control unit of the right vehicle lamp, and is an enlarged front view of part X in FIG. 1. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a planar explanatory view showing the optical paths in two directions of the right vehicle lamp.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment (example) of the vehicle lamp according to this invention will be described based on the drawings. In this specification, front, rear, upper, lower, left, and right refer to the front, rear, upper, lower, left, and right when the vehicle lamp according to this invention is installed on a vehicle.

[0012] In the drawings, reference sign "F" represents "front", "B" represents "rear", "U" represents upper, "D" represents "lower", "L" represents "left", and "R" represents "right". Also, in the drawings, reference sign "I" is the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and reference sign "O" is the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, in the drawings, since they are schematic views, main components are illustrated, illustration of components other than the main components is omitted, and a part of the hatching is omitted.

[0013] (Description of Vehicle VE) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle VE mounts the vehicle lamps 1L and 1R of this invention, other vehicle lamps 100L and 100R, and headlamps 104L and 104R on the front portion 101. The front portion 101 is disposed between the upper hood portion 102 and the lower bumper portion 103.

[0014] Furthermore, the plan view shape of the front portion 101 of the vehicle VE, when viewed from above to below, is slanted or curved from the inside I in the vehicle width direction to the outside O in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle lights 1L, 1R, other vehicle lights 100L, 100R, and headlamps 104L, 104R of this invention are attached to the curved portions on both the left and right sides of the front portion 101 at the front of the vehicle VE, respectively.

[0015] (Explanation of the configuration of vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle lights 1L and 1R in this embodiment are positioned below the other vehicle lights 100L and 100R, and together with the other vehicle lights 100L and 100R, they constitute a front combination lamp. In this example, the vehicle lights 1L and 1R are horizontally elongated turn signal lamps. In this example, the other vehicle lights 100L and 100R are clearance lamps, or lamps that serve as both clearance lamps and daytime running lamps. The front combination lamp is positioned below the headlamps 104L and 104R.

[0016] Vehicle luminaires 1L and 1R emit light in a main direction DM and in two directions D1 and D2 that are different from the main direction DM. That is, as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 11, vehicle luminaires 1L and 1R emit the main emitted light L10 in the main direction DM, forming the main light distribution of the turn signal lamp, although not shown. In addition, vehicle luminaires 1L and 1R emit the first emitted light L11 in a first direction D1 that is different from the main direction DM, ensuring visibility on the outside O in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, vehicle luminaires 1L and 1R emit the second emitted light L12 in a second direction D2 that is different from the main direction DM and the first direction D1, ensuring visibility on the inside I in the vehicle width direction.

[0017] The main direction DM is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle VE. The main light distribution of the turn signal lamp is the main light distribution of the turn signal lamp or the basic light distribution of the turn signal lamp. The first direction D1 is approximately 80° outward in the vehicle width direction O relative to the vehicle front direction CO. The second direction D2 is approximately 45° inward in the vehicle width direction I relative to the vehicle front direction CO. The vehicle front direction CO is the longitudinal direction of the vehicle VE, and is the direction parallel to the center line direction of the front of the vehicle VE.

[0018] The following describes the right-side vehicle light fixture 1R, which is mounted on the right side of vehicle VE. The left-side vehicle light fixture 1L, mounted on the left side of vehicle VE, has a configuration that is almost identical to the right-side vehicle light fixture 1R, but with the left and right sides reversed. Therefore, the description of the left-side vehicle light fixture 1L will be omitted. In addition, the terms "both left and right sides," "left side," and "right side" will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, in the right-side vehicle light fixture 1R, the inner side I in the vehicle width direction is the left side, and the outer side O in the vehicle width direction is the right side.

[0019] As shown in Figures 3 to 11, the vehicle lighting fixture 1R comprises an inner lens 2 and an outer lens 3 as lamp lenses, a lamp housing 4, a light source 5, a reflector 6, an additional reflector 7, and an optical control unit 8. The inner lens 2 may hereafter be referred to as lens 2, the outer lens 3 may hereafter be referred to as lens 3, the inner lens 2 and outer lens 3 may hereafter be referred to as lenses 2 and 3, and the lamp housing 4 may hereafter be referred to as housing 4.

[0020] Lenses 2 and 3 are made of a light-transmitting material, such as transparent resin. The housing 4 is made of a light-impermeable material, such as opaque resin. Although not shown in the figures, the mounting portions at the periphery of lenses 2 and 3 and the mounting portions at the periphery of housing 4 are attached to each other. As a result, the interior of the luminaire S is defined inside the lenses 2 and 3 and housing 4. The exterior is the outside of lenses 2 and 3 and housing 4, and is the outside relative to the interior of the luminaire S. The surfaces of lenses 2 and 3 facing the interior of the luminaire S are the incident surfaces 20 and 30, and the surfaces of lenses 2 and 3 opposite to the interior of the luminaire S are the exit surfaces 21 and 31.

[0021] As shown in Figure 7, the emission surface 21 of the inner lens 2 consists of a top surface 210, a first inclined surface 211, a bottom surface 213, and a second inclined surface 212, with each surface 210, 211, 213, and 212 arranged alternately. At least the top surface 210 of the emission surface 21 is subjected to a textured finish consisting of minute irregularities, so the light emitted from the top surface 210 becomes diffused light.

[0022] As shown in Figure 9, the interior S of the lamp fixture is divided vertically into the upper lamp fixture interior SU and the lower lamp fixture interior SD by a horizontal partition plate 660 described later. The light source 5, reflector 6, and additional reflector 7 of the vehicle lamp fixture 1R are located in the lower lamp fixture interior SD. The light source 500, substrate 550, and reflector 600 of another vehicle lamp fixture 100R are located in the upper lamp fixture interior SU.

[0023] The plan view shapes of lenses 2 and 3 are almost the same as the plan view shapes of the front part 101 of the vehicle VE, with a slanted or curved shape extending from the front to the rear of the vehicle VE from the inner side I in the vehicle width direction to the outer side O in the vehicle width direction. The plan view shape of housing 4 is not shown, but is constrained by the arrangement of other vehicle components around the vehicle lamp 1L, and is almost the same as the plan view shape of the front part 101 of the vehicle VE, with a slanted or curved shape extending from the front to the rear of the vehicle VE from the inner side I in the vehicle width direction to the outer side O in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the plan view shape of the inside S of the lamp is not shown, but is almost the same as the plan view shape of the front part 101 of the vehicle VE, with a slanted or curved shape extending from the front to the rear of the vehicle VE from the inner side I in the vehicle width direction to the outer side O in the vehicle width direction.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1, 3, and 10, the sides 2I, 3I, and 4I on the inner side I in the vehicle width direction of the front view shape of lenses 2, 3, and housing 4 when viewed from the front to the rear of the vehicle VE are linearly inclined from the outer side O in the vehicle width direction to the inner side I in the vehicle width direction, from the top to the bottom of the vehicle VE. Note that the sides 2I, 3I, and 4I on the inner side I in the vehicle width direction of the front view shape of lenses 2, 3, and housing 4 may hereafter be referred to as inner sides 2I, 3I, and 4I.

[0025] Therefore, although not shown in the illustration, the inner side I in the vehicle width direction of the front view shape of the interior S of the lamp fixture is linearly inclined from the outer side O in the vehicle width direction to the inner side I in the vehicle width direction, from the upper side to the lower side of the vehicle VE, similar to the inner sides 2I, 3I, and 4I. In this way, the interior S of the lamp fixture is constrained by the lenses 2, 3 and the housing 4.

[0026] (Description of light source 5 and substrate 50) As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 9, the light source 5 is mounted on the substrate 50. The light source 5 is positioned in a recessed location at the rear of the vehicle VE with respect to the first direction D1 of the first emitted light L11 from lenses 2 and 3 and the second direction D2 of the second emitted light L12. Therefore, the light source 5 is not visible when looking inside the lamp fixture S through lenses 2 and 3 from the line of sight in the first direction D1 and the line of sight in the second direction D2.

[0027] The substrate 50 is made of a flat plate and is fixed to the housing 4 or the reflector 6. In this example, the substrate 50 is black. As a result, even when looking inside the lower lamp body SD from the outside through the lenses 2 and 3, the black color of the substrate 50 is reflected in the reflector 6, the horizontal partition plate 660, and the additional reflector 7, making the presence of the vehicle lamps 1L and 1R disappear compared to the other vehicle lamps 100L and 100R.

[0028] (Explanation of Reflector 6) As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 9, the reflector 6 is integrally structured with the reflector 600 of the other vehicle light fixture 100L. The reflector 6 and the reflector 600 of the other vehicle light fixture 100L are positioned vertically, and a horizontal partition plate 660 is integrally provided between the reflector 6 and the reflector 600 of the other vehicle light fixture 100L.

[0029] The reflector 6, like the light source 5, is positioned at the rear of the vehicle VE with respect to the first direction D1 of the first emitted light L11 from lenses 2 and 3 and the second direction D2 of the second emitted light L12. Therefore, the reflector 6 is not visible when looking inside the lamp fixture S through lenses 2 and 3 from the line of sight in the first direction D1 and the line of sight in the second direction D2. The light source 5 is positioned in a recessed location behind the reflector 6.

[0030] The reflector 6 has a reflective surface 60. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the reflective surface 60 is located on the front of the reflector 6, that is, on the front side of the vehicle VE. The reflective surface 60 is a surface based on a parabola. As a result, as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 7, the reflective surface 60 reflects a portion of the light L1 from the light source 5 as first reflected light L21 in a predetermined direction, in this example, the front direction CO of the vehicle, toward the lenses 2 and 3. In this example, the first reflected light L21 is parallel light or nearly parallel light. The reflective surface 60 has a prism made up of multiple small squares divided vertically and horizontally.

[0031] A vertical wall 61 is integrally provided on the inner side I in the vehicle width direction of the reflective surface 60 of the reflector 6. A cylindrical diffuse prism is provided on the outer side O in the vehicle width direction of the vertical wall 61.

[0032] (Explanation of Additional Reflector 7) As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 9, multiple additional reflectors 7 are provided on the underside of the horizontal partition plate 660; in this example, four are integrated into one unit. The number of additional reflectors 7 is not particularly limited. In this example, the additional reflectors 7 are plate-shaped. A reflective surface 70 is provided on the surface of the additional reflector 7 facing the light source 5 and the lens 2. The reflective surface 70 reflects a portion of the light L1 from the light source 5 back towards the lens 2 as second reflected light L22.

[0033] (Explanation of Optical Control Unit 8) As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the optical control unit 8 is integrally mounted on the lens 2 and, in this example, has an incident surface 80, a first optical surface 81, a second optical surface 82, and a third optical surface 83. The incident surface 80 is identical to the incident surface 20 of the lens 2. The first optical surface 81, the second optical surface 82, and the third optical surface 83 are integrally mounted approximately in the middle of the bottom surface 213 of the exit surface 21 of the lens 2.

[0034] The incident surface 80 causes the first reflected light L21 from the reflective surface 60 of the reflector 6 to enter the lens 2 as the first incident light L31, and the second reflected light L22 from the reflective surface 70 of the additional reflector 7 to enter the lens 2 as the second incident light L32.

[0035] The first optical surface 81 is located on the outer side O in the vehicle width direction of the optical control unit 8. The first optical surface 81 has a reflective surface function that reflects a portion of the first incident light L31 as third reflected light L23 towards the second optical surface 82, and an emission surface function that emits the second incident light L32 as first emitted light L11 in the first direction D1. In this example, the first emitted light L11 emitted from the first optical surface 81 in the first direction D1 enters the incident surface 30 of the outer lens 3 and is emitted from the emission surface 31 of the outer lens 3 in the first direction D1.

[0036] The second optical surface 82 is located on the inner side I in the vehicle width direction of the optical control unit 8. The second optical surface 82 has an emission surface function that emits the third reflected light L23 as the second emitted light L12 in the second direction D2. In this example, the second emitted light L12 emitted from the second optical surface 82 in the second direction D2 enters the incident surface 30 of the outer lens 3 and is emitted from the emission surface 31 of the outer lens 3 in the second direction D2.

[0037] The third optical surface 83 is positioned between the first optical surface 81 and the second optical surface 82. Although not shown in the figure, the third optical surface 83 has the function of an output surface that causes the remaining portion of the first incident light L31 to be emitted in the main direction DM as the main output light L10. In this example, the main output light L10 emitted from the third optical surface 83 in the main direction DM enters the incident surface 30 of the outer lens 3 and is emitted from the output surface 31 of the outer lens 3 in the main direction DM.

[0038] As shown in Figure 7, the height H1 between the third optical surface 83 of the optical control unit 8 and the bottom surface 213 of the exit surface 21 of the lens 2, i.e., the height H1 of the third optical surface 83, is higher than the height H2 between the top surface 210 and the bottom surface 213 of the exit surface 21 of the lens 2, i.e., the height H2 of the top surface 210. In this example, the height H1 of the third optical surface 83 is approximately 1 mm, and the height H2 of the top surface 210 is approximately 0.5 mm.

[0039] Lens 2 is molded from resin. The flow of the resin during molding is as shown by the solid arrow in Figure 7. Here, the gradient of the first optical surface 81 on the upstream side of the resin flow relative to the bottom surface 213 is gentler than the gradient of the second optical surface 82 on the downstream side of the resin flow relative to the bottom surface 213. Also, the gradient of the first inclined surface 211 on the upstream side of the resin flow relative to the bottom surface 213 is gentler than the gradient of the second inclined surface 212 on the downstream side of the resin flow relative to the bottom surface 213. As a result, even if an optical control unit 8 with a height H1 greater than the height H2 of the top surface 210 is integrally provided on the bottom surface 213 of the emission surface 21 of lens 2, the resin is sufficiently filled into the optical control unit 8 with its higher height H1. This allows the optical control unit 8 to control light with high precision.

[0040] As shown in Figure 10, one first optical surface 81, one second optical surface 82, and one third optical surface 83 of the optical control unit 8 form one block 8B. Multiple blocks 8B form a block row 8C arranged in a direction intersecting the vehicle width direction, in this example parallel or nearly parallel to the direction of the inner edges 2I, 3I, and 4I. Multiple block rows 8C are arranged in the vehicle width direction, in this example six rows. By arranging multiple blocks 8B in this way, and making the direction of the block row 8C parallel or nearly parallel to the direction of the inner edges 2I, 3I, and 4I, a unified design can be obtained between the upper vehicle light fixture 100R and the lower vehicle light fixture 1R.

[0041] (Description of the operation and effects of the embodiment) Vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R have the configuration described above, and their operation and effects will be explained below.

[0042] When the light source 5 is turned on, light L1 is emitted from the light source 5. A portion of this light L1 is reflected as first reflected light L21 towards lenses 2 and 3 at the reflective surface 60 of the reflector 6. The first reflected light L21 enters the inner lens 2 from the incident surface 20 of the inner lens 2 as first incident light L31. A portion of the first incident light L31 is emitted as main emitted light L10 from the exit surface 21 of the inner lens 2, which consists of the top surface 210, the first inclined surface 211, the bottom surface 213, the second inclined surface 212, and the third optical surface 83 of the optical control unit 8. The main emitted light L10 passes through the outer lens 3 and is emitted in the main direction DM, forming the main light distribution of the turn signal lamp.

[0043] Furthermore, another portion of the light L1 from the light source 5 is reflected as second reflected light L22 towards lenses 2 and 3 at the reflective surface 70 of the additional reflector 7. The second reflected light L22 enters the inner lens 2 from the incident surface 20 of the inner lens 2 as second incident light L32. The second incident light L32 is emitted as first emitted light L11 from the first optical surface 81 of the optical control unit 8, which is the exit surface 21 of the inner lens 2. The first emitted light L11 passes through the outer lens 3 and is emitted in the first direction D1, that is, in a direction of approximately 80° outward in the vehicle width direction O with respect to the vehicle front direction CO, thereby ensuring visibility outward in the vehicle width direction O.

[0044] Furthermore, another portion of the first incident light L31 is reflected as third reflected light L23 on the second optical surface 82 of the optical control unit 8 at the first optical surface 81 of the optical control unit 8. The third reflected light L23 is emitted as second emitted light L12 from the second optical surface 82 of the optical control unit 8, which is the emission surface 21 of the inner lens 2. The second emitted light L12 passes through the outer lens 3 and is emitted in the second direction D2, that is, in the direction I in the vehicle width direction with respect to the vehicle front direction CO, at an angle of approximately 45°, thereby ensuring visibility in the direction I in the vehicle width direction.

[0045] In this way, the vehicle lights 1L and 1R can emit light in two directions, a first direction D1 and a second direction D2, as a first emitted light L11 and a second emitted light L12, via the optical control unit 8, thereby ensuring visibility on the outer side O in the vehicle width direction and visibility on the inner side I in the vehicle width direction.

[0046] Moreover, since the vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R only require the optical control unit 8 to be provided on the emission surface 21 of the lens 2, there are no aesthetic problems compared to the vehicle lighting fixture in Patent Document 1, which has a third reflective surface that emits lateral illumination light in one direction and a separate reflective surface that emits lateral illumination light in another direction.

[0047] When the light source 500 of other vehicle lights 100L and 100R is turned on, light L100 is emitted from the light source 500, and a portion of this light L100 is reflected as reflected light L200 towards lenses 2 and 3 on the reflective surface of the reflector 600. The reflected light L200 is emitted from lenses 2 and 3 as emitted light L300. The emitted light L300 forms the main light distribution of the clearance lamp, or the main light distribution shared by the clearance lamp and the daytime running lamp.

[0048] (Explanation of examples other than the embodiment) This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0049] In this embodiment, the vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R are described as examples of being used as turn signal lamps mounted on the front part 101 of the vehicle VE. However, in this invention, they may be used as something other than turn signal lamps, for example, as clearance lamps mounted on the front part 101 of the vehicle VE, or as lamps that serve as both clearance lamps and daytime running lamps. They may also be used as tail lamps, stop lamps, or turn signal lamps mounted on the rear part of the vehicle VE. Furthermore, they may be used as decorative lamps or accessory lamps mounted on the sides of the vehicle VE or at any other position.

[0050] In this embodiment, the vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R are described as being used as horizontally elongated turn signal lamps. However, in this invention, they may also be used as vertically elongated lamps or diagonally elongated lamps, in addition to horizontally elongated lamps.

[0051] In this embodiment, the vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R are described as having an inner lens 2 and an outer lens 3, with an optical control unit 8 provided on the inner lens 2. However, in this invention, the optical control unit 8 may be provided on the outer lens 3, or the fixture may have one lens or three or more lenses, with at least one of them having an optical control unit 8.

[0052] In this embodiment, the vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R describe an example in which a third optical surface 83 is provided between the first optical surface 81 and the second optical surface 82. However, in this invention, it is not necessary to provide a third optical surface 83 between the first optical surface 81 and the second optical surface 82.

[0053] [Note] The contents described in the above-mentioned embodiments can be understood, for example, as follows. For convenience, the vehicle lighting devices of this invention are denoted by reference numerals 1L and 1R.

[0054] (1) Features of vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R (Figures 5 and 6) The vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R mentioned above are, Vehicle lighting fixtures 1L, 1R that emit light L10, L11, L12 in a main direction DM and in two directions D1, D2 different from the main direction DM, Light source 5, Reflector 6 and Additional reflector 7 and Optical control unit 8, Equipped with, The reflector 6 reflects a portion of the light L1 from the light source 5 as first reflected light L21. The additional reflector 7 reflects the remaining portion of the light L1 from the light source 5 as second reflected light L22. The optical control unit 8 is The incident surface 80 and, At least a first optical surface 81 and a second optical surface 82, It has, The incident surface 80 is The device has the function of injecting the first reflected light L21 as the first incident light L31 and the second reflected light L22 as the second incident light L32. The first optical surface 81 is A reflective surface function that reflects a portion of the first incident light L31 as third reflected light L23 towards the second optical surface 82, The second incident light L32 is emitted as the first emitted light L11 in a first direction D1 that is different from the main direction DM, and the emission surface function is provided. It has, The second optical surface 82 has an emission surface function that causes the third reflected light L23 to be emitted as a second emitted light L12 in a second direction D2 which is different from the main direction DM and the first direction D1. It is characterized by the following:

[0055] In this way, the vehicle lights 1L and 1R can emit light in two directions, a first direction D1 and a second direction D2, as a first emitted light L11 and a second emitted light L12, via the optical control unit 8, thereby ensuring visibility on the outer side O in the vehicle width direction and visibility on the inner side I in the vehicle width direction.

[0056] Moreover, since the vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R only require the optical control unit 8 to be provided on the emission surface 21 of the lens 2, there are no aesthetic problems compared to the vehicle lighting fixture in Patent Document 1, which has a third reflective surface that emits lateral illumination light in one direction and a separate reflective surface that emits lateral illumination light in another direction.

[0057] (2) Features of the optical control unit 8 (Figures 5 and 6) The vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R mentioned above are, It includes a lamp lens 2 that forms the inside S of the luminaire, The light source 5, the reflector 6, and the additional reflector 7 are arranged inside the lamp fixture S. The incident surface 80 is provided on the inner surface 20 of the lamp lens 2 on the inner side S of the lamp fixture, The first optical surface 81 and the second optical surface 82 are provided on the outer surface 21 of the lamp lens 2 opposite to the interior S of the luminaire. It is characterized by the following:

[0058] Thus, since the vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R of this invention are equipped with an optical control unit 8 on the lamp lens 2, the effects of (1) described above can be achieved.

[0059] (3) Features of vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R (Figures 5 and 11) The vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R mentioned above are, The lamp fixture includes lamp lenses 2 and 3 that form the interior S of the luminaire, The light source 5, the reflector 6, and the additional reflector 7 are arranged inside the lamp fixture S. The light source 5 and the reflector 6 are positioned opposite to the lamp lenses 2 and 3 from the line of sight VO in the first direction D1 and the line of sight VI in the second direction D2. It is characterized by the following:

[0060] Thus, in the vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R of this invention, the light source 5 and reflector 6 are positioned on the opposite side from the lamp lenses 2 and 3 from the line of sight VO in the first direction D1 and the line of sight VI in the second direction D2, as shown in Figures 5 and 11. As a result, the light source 5 and reflector 6 are not visible from the line of sight VO in the first direction D1 and the line of sight VI in the second direction D2, and the presence of the light source 5 and reflector 6 can be eliminated, thus eliminating the presence of the vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R.

[0061] (4) Features of the optical control unit 8 (Figures 5, 6, 7, and 11) The vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R mentioned above are, The lamp fixture includes lamp lenses 2 and 3 that form the interior S of the luminaire, The light source 5, the reflector 6, and the additional reflector 7 are arranged inside the lamp fixture S. The plan view shape of the lamp lenses 2 and 3 is inclined from the inner side I in the vehicle width direction to the outer side O in the vehicle width direction, from the front to the rear of the vehicle VE, or from the rear to the front of the vehicle VE. The first optical surface 81 is located on the outer side O in the vehicle width direction of the lamp lenses 2 and 3. The second optical surface 82 is located on the inner side I in the vehicle width direction of the lamp lenses 2 and 3. It is characterized by the following:

[0062] Thus, in the vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R of this invention, the first optical surface 81 is positioned on the outer side O in the vehicle width direction of the lamp lenses 2 and 3, and the second optical surface 82 is positioned on the inner side I in the vehicle width direction of the lamp lenses 2 and 3. For this reason, as shown in Figure 11, the plan view shape of the lamp lenses 2 and 3 of the vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R of this invention is inclined from the inner side I in the vehicle width direction to the outer side O in the vehicle width direction, from the front side VE to the rear side, or from the rear side VE to the front side. Even if the area E in which the lamp lenses 2 and 3 are visible from the line of sight VI in the second direction D2, i.e., the visible area E, is narrow and limited, the second emitted light L12 can be emitted in the second direction D2 with sufficient light intensity, and visibility on the inner side I in the vehicle width direction can be ensured.

[0063] (5) Characteristics of block 8B and block row 8C of the optical control unit 8 (Figures 4, 5, 8, and 10) The vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R mentioned above are, The lamp fixture includes lamp lenses 2 and 3 that form the interior S of the luminaire, The light source 5, the reflector 6, and the additional reflector 7 are arranged inside the lamp fixture S. The first optical surface 81 and the second optical surface 82 are provided on the lamp lenses 2 and 3, The first optical surface 81 and the second optical surface 82 form a single block 8B. Multiple blocks 8B form a block row 8C arranged in a direction intersecting the vehicle width direction. The aforementioned block row 8C is arranged in multiple locations in the vehicle width direction. It is characterized by the following:

[0064] Thus, in the vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R of this invention, the first optical surface 81 and the second optical surface 82 are formed as a single block 8B. Therefore, even if multiple blocks 8B are formed as a block row 8C arranged in a direction intersecting the vehicle width direction, the first optical surface 81 and the second optical surface 82 forming a single block 8B can be made parallel or nearly parallel to the vertical direction. For this reason, as shown in Figure 8(A), the vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R of this invention can emit the third reflected light L23 reflected by the first optical surface 81 as the second emitted light L12 from the second optical surface 82 in the second direction D2 with high precision.

[0065] In contrast, as shown in Figure 8(B), an optical control unit 800 is described in which the first optical surface 810, the second optical surface 820, and the third optical surface 830 are not formed in a block but are arranged in a direction intersecting the vehicle width direction. In the case of this optical control unit 800, the third reflected light L23U reflected by the first optical surface 810 is directed diagonally upward, and the second emitted light L12U emitted from the second optical surface 820 is also directed diagonally upward, making it impossible to emit the second emitted light L12U in the second direction D2 with high precision.

[0066] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamps 1L and 1R of this invention, the first optical surface 81 and the second optical surface 82 are formed as a single block 8B. Therefore, multiple blocks 8B can be formed as a block row 8C arranged in a direction intersecting the vehicle width direction without affecting the degree of emission of the second emitted light L12 in the second direction D2. As a result, in the vehicle lamps 1L and 1R of this invention, the block row 8C can be made parallel or nearly parallel to the inner sides 2I, 3I, and 4I of the vehicle lamps 1L and 1R and the other vehicle lamps 100L and 100R, thereby unifying the design of the lower vehicle lamps 1L and 1R and the other vehicle lamps 100L and 100R above.

[0067] (6) Examples of features of vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R (Figure 11) The vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R mentioned above are, The first direction D1 is 80° outward in the vehicle width direction O with respect to the vehicle front direction CO. The second direction D2 is at a 45° angle to the inward direction I in the vehicle width direction with respect to the vehicle front direction CO. It is characterized by the following:

[0068] Thus, the vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R of this invention can provide light distribution for turn signal lamps, clearance lamps, etc., that satisfies regulations.

[0069] (7) Characteristics of the third optical surface 83 of the optical control unit 8 (Figures 5, 6, and 7) The vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R mentioned above are, The optical control unit 8 has a third optical surface 83 provided between the first optical surface 81 and the second optical surface 82. The third optical surface 83 has an emission surface function that causes the remaining portion of the first incident light L31 to be emitted in the main direction DM as the main emitted light L10. It is characterized by the following:

[0070] Thus, the vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R of this invention can effectively utilize light because the third optical surface 83 allows another portion of the first incident light L31 to be emitted in the main direction DM as the main emitted light L10.

[0071] Furthermore, in the vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R of this invention, by providing a third optical surface 83 between the first optical surface 81 and the second optical surface 82, the thickness T1 of the lamp lens 2, that is, the thickness T1 between the incident surface 20 of the lamp lens 2 and the third optical surface 83, can be made thinner than the thickness T2 of the optical control unit 801 when the third optical surface 83 is not provided between the first optical surface 81 and the second optical surface 82, as shown in Figure 7(B). As a result, the vehicle lighting fixtures 1L and 1R of this invention can prevent shrinkage from occurring in the lamp lens 2 during molding. Note that in Figure 7(B), the optical control unit 801 when the third optical surface 83 is not provided between the first optical surface 81 and the second optical surface 82 is shown by a dashed line. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 1L Left side vehicle light, vehicle light 1R Right-side vehicle light, vehicle light 100L, 100R and other vehicle lighting fixtures 101 Front part 102 Food section 103 Bumper section 104L, 104R headlights 2. Lamp lens. Inner lens. Lens 20 Entrance plane 21 Ejection surface 210 Top surface 211 1st slope 212 2nd slope 213 Bottom 2I Inner side 3. Lamp lens. Outer lens. Lens 30 Entrance plane 31 Ejection surface 3I Inner side 4. Lamp housing. Housing 4I Inner side 5 light source 50 circuit boards 500 light sources 550 circuit boards 6 reflectors 60 reflective surface 61 Vertical wall 600 reflector 660 Horizontal partition plate 7 Additional reflectors 70 Reflective surface 8 Optical Control Unit 80 Entrance plane 81 1st optical surface 82 Second optical surface 83 Third optical surface Block 8B Column 8C 800 Optical Control Unit 810 1st optical surface 820 Second optical surface 830 Third optical surface After B CO Vehicle Front Direction D bottom DM main direction D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction E Visible Area Before F H1 Height H2 Height I. Inward in the vehicle width direction L left L1 light L10 Main output light L11 First emitted light L12 2nd output light L21 First Reflected Light L22 2nd reflected light L23 3rd reflected light L31 1st incident light L32 2nd incident light O Outer side in the vehicle width direction R right S Inside of the light fixture SD Lower light fixture inside Inside the SU upper light fixture T1 Thick T2 Thick U Up VE Vehicle VI. Direction of View VO viewing direction

Claims

1. A vehicle light fixture that emits light in a primary direction and in two directions different from the primary direction, Light source and Reflector, Additional reflectors, Optical control unit and Equipped with, The reflector reflects a portion of the light from the light source as first reflected light. The additional reflector reflects the remaining portion of the light from the light source as a second reflected light. The optical control unit, The incident surface and, At least a first optical surface and a second optical surface, It has, The incident surface is, The first reflected light is used as the first incident light, and the second reflected light is used as the second incident light, and these functions are provided for the first reflected light to be incident, The first optical surface is, A reflective surface function that reflects a portion of the first incident light as a third reflected light towards the second optical surface, An emission surface function that emits the second incident light as the first emitted light in a first direction different from the main direction, It has, The second optical surface has an emission surface function that causes the third reflected light to be emitted as a second emitted light in a second direction different from the main direction and the first direction. A vehicle lighting device characterized by the following features.

2. It is equipped with a lamp lens that forms the inside of the light fixture, The light source, the reflector, and the additional reflector are arranged inside the lamp fixture. The incident surface is provided on the inner surface of the lamp lens on the inner side of the lamp fixture, The first optical surface and the second optical surface are provided on the outer surface of the lamp lens opposite to the interior of the luminaire. The vehicle lighting device according to feature 1.

3. It is equipped with a lamp lens that forms the inside of the light fixture, The light source, the reflector, and the additional reflector are arranged inside the lamp fixture. The light source and the reflector are positioned opposite to the lamp lens from the line of sight in the first direction and the line of sight in the second direction. The vehicle lighting device according to feature 1.

4. It is equipped with a lamp lens that forms the inside of the light fixture, The light source, the reflector, and the additional reflector are arranged inside the lamp fixture. The plan view shape of the lamp lens is inclined from the inside in the vehicle width direction to the outside in the vehicle width direction, from the front to the rear of the vehicle, or from the rear to the front of the vehicle. The first optical surface is located on the outer side of the lamp lens in the vehicle width direction, The second optical surface is located on the inside of the lamp lens in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle lighting device according to feature 1.

5. It is equipped with a lamp lens that forms the inside of the light fixture, The light source, the reflector, and the additional reflector are arranged inside the lamp fixture. The first optical surface and the second optical surface are provided on the lamp lens, The first optical surface and the second optical surface form a single block. Multiple of the aforementioned blocks form rows of blocks arranged in a direction intersecting the vehicle width direction. The aforementioned block rows are arranged in multiples in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle lighting device according to feature 1.

6. The first direction is 80° outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the vehicle front direction. The second direction is at a 45° angle inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the vehicle front direction. The vehicle lighting device according to feature 1.

7. The optical control unit has a third optical surface provided between the first optical surface and the second optical surface, The third optical surface has an emission surface function that causes the remaining portion of the first incident light to be emitted in the main direction as the main emitted light. A vehicle light fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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