Vehicle signal lamp

Abstract

To provide a vehicular signal lighting fixture capable of allowing the same light emitting surface to emit light at the tail lamp lighting time and at the stop lamp lighting time, and capable of improving visibility of the stop lamp lighting time.SOLUTION: A vehicular signal lighting fixture 10 includes a first light source 21a, a second light source 21b, and a light guide member 30 for guiding first light emitted by the first light source and second light emitted by the second light source. The light guide member includes the same light emitting surface 33 where the first light and the second light guided by the light guide member emit. The first light source is a semiconductor light emitting element for emitting red light in which a dominant wavelength is a first wavelength, and the second light source is a semiconductor light emitting element for emitting red light in which a dominant wavelength is a second wavelength different from the first wavelength.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2B

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicular signal lamp, and more particularly to a vehicular signal lamp that can emit light from the same light-emitting surface when a tail lamp is turned on and when a stop lamp is turned on, and that can improve visibility when the stop lamp is turned on. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a vehicle signal lamp in which a tail lamp and a stop lamp are arranged adjacent to each other, and different light-emitting surfaces emit light when the tail lamp and the stop lamp are turned on (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, from the viewpoint of making it easy to distinguish between the two lamps, a light source (incandescent light bulb) with a peak wavelength of about 615 nm is used as the light source for the tail lamp, and an LED with a peak wavelength of about 615 nm is used as the light source for the stop lamp.

[0003] In response to this, the present inventors, from the viewpoint of reducing the number of parts, etc., have considered constructing a vehicle signal lamp that can emit light from the same light-emitting surface when the tail lamps and the stop lamps are turned on. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 5-31003 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, Patent Document 1 does not propose at all to make the same light-emitting surface emit light when the tail lamp and the stop lamp are turned on. In addition, Patent Document 1 does not propose at all to improve the visibility when the stop lamp is turned on.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and has an object to provide a vehicle signal lamp that can emit light from the same light-emitting surface when the tail lamp is on and when the stop lamp is on, and that can improve visibility when the stop lamp is on. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vehicle signal lamp of the present invention includes a first light source, a second light source, and a light-guiding member that guides a first light emitted by the first light source and a second light emitted by the second light source, wherein the light-guiding member includes a same light-emitting surface from which the first light and the second light guided by the light-guiding member exit, the first light source is a semiconductor light-emitting element that emits red light having a dominant wavelength of a first wavelength, and the second light source is a semiconductor light-emitting element that emits red light having a dominant wavelength of a second wavelength different from the first wavelength.

[0008] With this configuration, it is possible to make the same light emitting surface emit light when the first light source is turned on and when the second light source is turned on, and it is possible to improve the visibility when the second light source is turned on.

[0009] The reason that the same light-emitting surface can be illuminated when the first light source is turned on and when the second light source is turned on is that the light-guiding member that guides the first light emitted by the first light source and the second light emitted by the second light source includes the same light-emitting surface from which the first light and the second light guided by the light-guiding member exit.

[0010] Visibility can be improved when the second light source is turned on because the light-emitting surface emits red light (the dominant wavelength (second wavelength) of the second light source) which is close to the color (wavelength) that the human eye is most sensitive to when the second light source is turned on.

[0011] In the vehicle signal lamp, the first light source may be a tail lamp light source, and the second light source may be a stop lamp light source.

[0012] In the above vehicle signal lamp, the first wavelength may be longer than the second wavelength.

[0013] In the vehicle signal lamp, the first wavelength may be 635 nm±5 nm, and the second wavelength may be 615 nm±5 nm.

[0014] In addition, in the above-mentioned vehicle signal lamp, the light-guiding member is a light-guiding rod extending in a predetermined direction and guiding the first light and the second light entering from one end side toward the other end side, and the outer surface of the light-guiding rod includes the same light-emitting surface arranged on the front side and a reflective surface arranged on the opposite back side, and the reflective surface may include a plurality of optical elements that reflect the first light and the second light that are guided within the light-guiding rod and enter the reflective surface, and output the light from the same light-emitting surface. Effect of the Invention

[0015] The present invention makes it possible to provide a vehicle signal lamp that can emit light from the same light-emitting surface when the tail lamp is on and when the stop lamp is on, and that can improve visibility when the stop lamp is on. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle signal lamp 10 (with an outer lens 40 and a housing 50 omitted); [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a front view of the vehicle signal lamp 10. [Figure 2B] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle signal lamp 10. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the light source unit 20. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the light source unit 20. [Figure 5A] This is an example of the arrangement of the tail lamp light source 21a and the stop lamp light source 21b. [Figure 5B] 13 shows another example of the arrangement of the tail lamp light source 21a and the stop lamp light source 21b. [Figure 6A] 1 is a modified example of the vehicle signal lamp 10. [Figure 6B] 10 is another modified example of the vehicle signal lamp 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A vehicle signal lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, corresponding components are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle signal lamp 10 (with an outer lens 40 and a housing 50 omitted), Fig. 2A is a front view of the vehicle signal lamp 10, and Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view.

[0019] The vehicular signal lamp 10 of this embodiment is a vehicular signal lamp that functions as a tail lamp and a stop lamp, and is mounted on both the left and right sides of the rear end of a vehicle (not shown) such as an automobile. Since the vehicular signal lamps 10 mounted on both the left and right sides have a symmetrical configuration, the following will explain the vehicular signal lamp 10 mounted on the left side of the rear end of the vehicle (the left side when facing the front of the vehicle) as a representative example.

[0020] 1 and 2B, the vehicle signal lamp 10 includes a light source unit 20 and a light guiding rod 30 (an example of a light guiding member of the present invention) that guides the light emitted by the light source unit 20. The vehicle signal lamp 10 is disposed in a lamp chamber 60 that is formed by an outer lens 40 and a housing 50, and is attached to the housing 50 or the like.

[0021] The light guiding rod 30 is a long light guiding rod that guides light incident from one end surface 31a (see FIG. 2B) on one end 31 side toward the other end 32 side. One end surface 31a on one end 31 side (hereinafter referred to as light incident surface 31a) is, for example, a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (the direction in which the light guiding rod 30 extends). As shown in FIG. 2B, the light guiding rod 30 extends from the one end 31 side toward the rear of the vehicle, and further extends around the rear end of the vehicle via a curved portion C1 toward the rear and inside of the vehicle. Note that a light guiding rod having a ginkgo-shaped cross section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction may be used as the light guiding rod 30. A light guiding rod having a ginkgo-shaped cross section is described in, for example, JP 2017-41368 A.

[0022] The outer peripheral surface of the light guiding rod 30 includes a light emitting surface 33 (light exit surface) disposed on the front side (rear side of the vehicle) and a reflecting surface 34 disposed on the opposite rear side. The reflecting surface 34 includes a plurality of optical elements (not shown) that reflect (diffusely reflect) the light that is guided inside the light guiding rod 30 and enters the reflecting surface 34, causing it to exit from the light emitting surface 33. The optical elements are, for example, lens cuts (e.g., V-grooves) and are provided in the range indicated by the symbol L0 in FIG. 1. The angle of the V-groove is determined so that the light exiting from the light emitting surface 33 satisfies the regulations regarding tail lamps and stop lamps.

[0023] The light source unit 20 is a socket-type light source unit.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the light source unit 20. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the light source unit 20.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the light source unit 20 includes a substrate 23 having a light source 21 and a group of electronic components 22 mounted on a mounting surface thereof, a heat sink 24, a socket body 25, a terminal base 26 for holding a terminal 26a, a sealant 27, a thermally conductive adhesive 28, and an O-ring 29.

[0026] The light source 21 is mounted in the center of the mounting surface of a substrate 23 having a circular outer shape. The electronic component group 22 is mounted around the light source 21.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the light source 21 includes a tail lamp light source 21a (an example of a first light source of the present invention) and a stop lamp light source 21b (an example of a second light source of the present invention).

[0028] The tail lamp light source 21a is a semiconductor light emitting element (e.g., LED) that emits red light having a first dominant wavelength. The tail lamp light source 21a has a light emitting surface (e.g., a rectangular light emitting surface with a side length of 0.5 mm). The first wavelength is preferably, for example, about 635 nm±5 nm.

[0029] The stop lamp light source 21b is a semiconductor light emitting element (e.g., LED) that emits red light whose dominant wavelength is a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. The stop lamp light source 21b has a light emitting surface (e.g., a rectangular light emitting surface with a side length of 1 mm). The second wavelength is preferably, for example, about 615 nm±5 nm.

[0030] As described above, the dominant wavelength (first wavelength) of the tail lamp light source 21a is longer than the dominant wavelength (second wavelength) of the stop lamp light source 21b.

[0031] In other words, the dominant wavelength (second wavelength) of the stop lamp light source 21b is close to 555 nm, which is said to be the wavelength that the human eye is most sensitive to in bright places (and 507 nm, which is said to be the wavelength that the human eye is most sensitive to in dark places), while the dominant wavelength (first wavelength) of the tail lamp light source 21a is far from 555 nm (and 507 nm).

[0032] This improves the visibility of the stop lamp (when the stop lamp light source 21b is turned on) compared to a case in which the dominant wavelength (second wavelength) of the stop lamp light source 21b is far from 555 nm (and 507 nm) and the dominant wavelength (first wavelength) of the tail lamp light source 21a is close to 555 nm (and 507 nm).

[0033] In addition, the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) has stipulated that the wavelength at which the human eye is most sensitive in bright places is 555 nm (and the wavelength at which the human eye is most sensitive in dark places is 507 nm) (standard luminous efficiency for photopic vision, standard luminous efficiency for scotopic vision).

[0034] An example of the arrangement of the tail lamp light source 21a and the stop lamp light source 21b will be described.

[0035] FIG. 5A shows an example of the arrangement of the tail lamp light source 21a and the stop lamp light source 21b.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5A, the stop lamp light sources 21b are disposed at the four corners of a rectangle B1.

[0037] The tail lamp light sources 21a are arranged in a row at equal intervals between the stop lamp light sources 21b.

[0038] The interval L1 between the respective stop lamp light sources 21b is, for example, 1 mm, and the interval L2 between the tail lamp light source 21a and the stop lamp light source 21b is, for example, 0.25 mm.

[0039] FIG. 5B shows another example of the arrangement of the tail lamp light source 21a and the stop lamp light source 21b.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 5B, the stop lamp light sources 21b may be disposed at the four corners of a rectangle B2, and four tail lamp light sources 21a may be disposed between the stop lamp light sources 21b. In Fig. 5B, the interval L3 between the stop lamp light sources 21b is, for example, 1.4 mm. The interval L4 between the tail lamp light sources 21a is, for example, 1.4 mm, and the interval L5 is, for example, 0.95 mm.

[0041] In addition, as long as the luminous intensity required by regulations (regulations regarding tail lamps and stop lamps) can be satisfied, the number and arrangement of the tail lamp light sources 21a and the number and arrangement of the stop lamp light sources 21b are not limited to the numbers and arrangements shown in Figures 5A and 5B above.

[0042] In the case of stop lamps, European standards require the central luminous intensity (central luminous intensity of the stop lamp light distribution pattern) to be 60 to 260 cd, while North American standards require the central luminous intensity (central luminous intensity of the stop lamp light distribution pattern (single lamp)) to be 80 cd to 300 cd. In contrast, for tail lamps, the European standard requires the central luminous intensity (central luminous intensity of the tail lamp light distribution pattern) to be 4 to 17 cd, while the North American standard requires the central luminous intensity (central luminous intensity of the tail lamp light distribution pattern (single lamp)) to be 2 to 25 cd. In other words, both the European and North American standards require the stop lamp to be lit with a luminous intensity 5 to 15 times that of the tail lamp.

[0043] The socket-type light source unit 20 configured as described above is inserted into a through hole H1 (see FIG. 2) formed in the housing 50, and is attached to the housing 50 with its light sources 21 (tail lamp light source 21a, stop lamp light source 21b) facing one end 31 side (light incident surface 31a) of the light guiding rod 30. At this time, the optical axis of the light source unit 20 (light source 21) and the optical axis of the light guiding rod 30 coincide (substantially coincide).

[0044] In the vehicle signal lamp 10 having the above-mentioned configuration, a tail lamp can be realized by turning on the tail lamp light source 21a and turning off the stop lamp light source 21b.

[0045] When the tail lamp light source 21a is turned on, the first light emitted by the tail lamp light source 21a enters the light guiding rod 30 from one end 31 side (light-entering surface 31a) of the light guiding rod 30, and is guided through the light guiding rod 30 toward the other end 32 side while repeatedly undergoing internal reflection (total reflection) within the light guiding rod 30. The first light guided through the light guiding rod 30 is internally reflected (diffusely reflected) by a reflecting surface 34 (optical element) and exits from a light emitting surface 33 of the light guiding rod 30. The first light exiting from the light emitting surface 33 realizes a tail lamp. At this time, the light emitting surface 33 emits red light (uniformly or approximately uniformly) due to the first light exiting from the light emitting surface 33. At this time, since the wavelength of the first light, i.e., the dominant wavelength (first wavelength) of the tail lamp light source 21a is longer than the dominant wavelength (second wavelength) of the stop lamp light source 21b, the light emitting surface 33 emits light in a deeper red color than when the stop lamp light source 21b is turned on. This makes it possible to realize a high-quality light emission appearance when the tail lamp light source 21a is turned on. This improves the merchantability. Also, the lighting feeling is improved.

[0046] In the vehicle signal lamp 10 having the above-described configuration, a stop lamp can be realized by turning off the tail lamp light source 21a and turning on the stop lamp light source 21b.

[0047] When the stop lamp light source 21b is turned on, the second light emitted by the stop lamp light source 21b enters the light guiding rod 30 from one end 31 side (light entrance surface 31a) of the light guiding rod 30, and is guided inside the light guiding rod 30 toward the other end 32 side while repeatedly undergoing internal reflection (total reflection) within the light guiding rod 30. The second light guided inside the light guiding rod 30 is internally reflected (diffusely reflected) by a reflecting surface 34 (optical element) and exits from the light emitting surface 33 of the light guiding rod 30. The second light exiting from the light emitting surface 33 realizes a stop lamp. At that time, the light emitting surface 33 emits red light (uniformly or approximately uniformly) due to the second light exiting from the light emitting surface 33. At this time, the wavelength of the second light, i.e., the dominant wavelength (second wavelength) of the stop lamp light source 21b is close to 555 nm (and 507 nm), which is considered to be the color that the human eye can sense most strongly in a bright place, and the dominant wavelength (first wavelength) of the tail lamp light source 21a is far from 555 nm (and 507 nm). In other words, when the stop lamp is turned on, the light emitting surface 33 emits red light (the dominant wavelength (second wavelength) of the stop lamp light source 21b) that is close to the color (wavelength) that the human eye senses most strongly. This can improve the visibility when the stop lamp light source 21b is turned on (for example, at dusk, in thick fog, or in rainy weather). This improves safety.

[0048] As described above, according to this embodiment, the same light-emitting surface 33 can be made to emit light when the tail lamp (tail lamp light source 21a) is turned on and when the stop lamp (stop lamp light source 21b) is turned on, and visibility can be improved when the stop lamp (stop lamp light source 21b) is turned on.

[0049] The reason why the same light-emitting surface 33 can emit light when the tail lamp (tail lamp light source 21a) is turned on and when the stop lamp (stop lamp light source 21b) is turned on is because the light-guiding rod 30, which guides the first light emitted by the tail lamp light source 21a and the second light emitted by the stop lamp light source 21b, includes the same light-emitting surface 33 from which the first light and the second light guided by the light-guiding rod 30 exit.

[0050] The visibility can be improved when the stop lamp (light source 21b for the stop lamp) is turned on because the light-emitting surface 33 emits red light (the dominant wavelength (second wavelength) of the light source 21b for the stop lamp) which is close to the color (wavelength) that the human eye is most sensitive to when the stop lamp is turned on.

[0051] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the tail lamp light source 21a and the stop lamp light source 21b having different dominant wavelengths are used, so that the same light-emitting surface 33 can be made to emit light (uniformly or approximately uniformly) in different shades of red when the tail lamp (tail lamp light source 21a) is turned on and when the stop lamp (stop lamp light source 21b) is turned on.

[0052] Next, a modified example will be described.

[0053] FIG. 6A shows a modified example of the vehicle signal lamp 10. In FIG.

[0054] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the tail lamp light source 21a and the stop lamp light source 21b are arranged facing one end 31 side (light entrance surface 31a) of the light guiding rod 30, and the first light emitted by the tail lamp light source 21a and the second light emitted by the stop lamp light source 21b enter from one end 31 side (light entrance surface 31a) of the light guiding rod 30, but this is not limited to this.

[0055] For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the tail lamp light source 21a may be arranged facing one end 31 side (light entrance surface 31a) of the light guiding rod 30, and the stop lamp light source 21b may be arranged facing the other end 32 side (light entrance surface 32a) of the light guiding rod 30, so that a first light emitted by the tail lamp light source 21a enters from the one end 31 side (light entrance surface 31a) of the light guiding rod 30, and a second light emitted by the stop lamp light source 21b enters from the other end 32 side (light entrance surface 32a) of the light guiding rod 30.

[0056] This modification also provides the same effects as the above embodiment.

[0057] FIG. 6B shows another modified example of the vehicle signal lamp 10. In FIG.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the light guiding rod 30 is used as the light guiding member, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0059] For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, a light guide plate 30A may be used as the light guide member.

[0060] FIG. 6B shows an example in which tail lamp light sources 21a (plurality) are arranged on a pair of opposing sides (end faces) of the light guide plate 30A, stop lamp light sources 21b (plurality) are arranged on the other pair of opposing sides (end faces), and one of a pair of opposing main surfaces is an emitting surface (light exiting surface) and the other main surface is a reflective surface (a plurality of optical elements (e.g., lens cuts such as V-grooves; not shown) that reflect (diffuse reflect) light that is guided inside the light guide plate 30A and enters the reflective surface and emits it from the emitting surface).

[0061] This modification also provides the same effects as the above embodiment.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the vehicle signal lamp of the present invention is applied to a vehicle signal lamp that functions as a tail lamp and a stop lamp, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the vehicle signal lamp of the present invention may be applied to a rear combination lamp for a vehicle (four-wheel or two-wheel).

[0063] The numerical values ​​shown in the above embodiments are all examples, and it goes without saying that suitable numerical values ​​different from these can be used.

[0064] The above-described embodiments are merely examples in all respects. The present invention should not be construed as being limited by the description of the above-described embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main characteristics thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10...vehicle signal lamp, 20...light source unit, 21...light source, 21a...tail lamp light source, 21b...stop lamp light source, 22...electronic component group, 23...substrate, 24...heat sink, 25...socket body, 26...terminal base, 26a...terminal, 27...sealant, 28...thermally conductive adhesive, 29...O-ring, 30...light guide rod, 30A...light guide plate, 31...one end, 31a...one end face (light entrance face), 32...other end, 32a...light entrance face, 33...light emitting face, 34...reflective face, 40...outer lens, 50...housing, 60...lamp chamber, B1, B2...rectangle, C1...curved portion, H1...through hole

Claims

1. A signal lamp for a vehicle including a first light source, a second light source, and a light guiding member that guides a first light emitted by the first light source and a second light emitted by the second light source, the light guiding member includes a same light emitting surface from which the first light and the second light guided by the light guiding member exit, the first light source is a tail lamp light source and is a semiconductor light emitting element that emits red light having a first dominant wavelength; the second light source is a stop lamp light source and is a semiconductor light emitting element that emits red light having a dominant wavelength of a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, The second wavelength is closer to 555 nm, which is said to be the wavelength at which the human eye is most sensitive in bright places, and closer to 507 nm, which is said to be the wavelength at which the human eye is most sensitive in dark places, than the first wavelength.

2. The light guiding member is a light guiding rod that extends in a predetermined direction and guides the first light and the second light incident from one end side toward the other end side, The outer peripheral surface of the light guide rod includes the same light emitting surface arranged on the front side and a reflective surface arranged on the opposite rear side, 2. The vehicle signal lamp according to claim 1, wherein the reflective surface includes a plurality of optical elements that reflect the first light and the second light that are guided through the light guide rod and enter the reflective surface, and output the first light and the second light from the same light emitting surface.

3. A vehicle signal lamp comprising: a light source unit having a plurality of first light sources and a plurality of second light sources; and a light guiding member that guides first light emitted by the plurality of first light sources and second light emitted by the plurality of second light sources, The light guiding member is a light guiding rod that extends in a predetermined direction and guides the first light and the second light incident from one end side toward the other end side, the light guiding member includes a light incident surface located on the one end side through which the first light and the second light enter, and a light emitting surface through which the first light and the second light guided by the light guiding member exit, The light source unit includes a substrate on which the plurality of first light sources and the plurality of second light sources are mounted on a front side, and is disposed opposite the light entrance surface such that an optical axis of the light source unit and an optical axis of the light guide rod coincide with each other; the plurality of first light sources are tail lamp light sources and are semiconductor light emitting elements that emit red light having a first dominant wavelength; the plurality of second light sources are stop lamp light sources and are semiconductor light emitting elements that emit red light having a dominant wavelength of a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, Each of the second light sources has a light emitting surface larger than that of the first light sources, The first light source is disposed between the second light sources, The first wavelength is longer than the second wavelength.

4. A vehicle signal lamp as described in claim 3, wherein the spacing between each of the second light sources is arranged to be greater than the spacing between each of the first light sources and the second light sources adjacent to each first light source.

5. A vehicle signal lamp as described in claim 3 or 4, wherein the light source unit is a socket-type light source unit having a heat sink provided on the rear side of the substrate and a socket body.

6. The first wavelength is 635 nm ± 5 nm; 6. The vehicular signal lamp according to claim 1, wherein the second wavelength is 615 nm±5 nm.

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