Vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

To provide a vehicle lighting appliance capable of ensuring attractive appearance during light emission by preventing dark parts from occurring during light emission.SOLUTION: A vehicle lighting appliance comprises light sources 2A and a light guide body 3A disposed in front of the light sources 2A. The light guide body 3A has: a first light guide part 8 located on the opposite side of the light sources 2A; a second light guide part 9 extending from the first light guide part 8 toward a direction that intersects light L emitted from the light sources 2A; and a third light guide part 10 disposed sandwiching an air layer K in front of the first light guide part 8. The first light guide part 8 includes: an incident part 11 located on the opposite side of the light source 2A, and making the light L emitted from the light sources 2A incident inward; and an inclined surface 12 located on the opposite side of the incident part 11, and inclined toward a direction in which the second light guide part 9 extends. The inclined surface 12 reflects a part of the light L incident from the incident part 11 toward the second light guide part 9, and transmits the part of the light L incident from the incident part 11 toward the third light guide part 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a combination of a light source such as a light-emitting diode (LED) and a light guide such as an inner lens has been known as a vehicle lamp to be mounted on a vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). As designs become more diverse, various forms of such vehicle lamps have been developed.

[0003] For example, the vehicle lamp described in the following Patent Document 1 has an entrance portion located at the center of the light guide and into which light emitted from a light source is incident. The entrance portion has a convex first light-collecting entrance surface located at the center of the portion facing the light source and into which a portion of the light emitted from the light source is incident, a substantially cylindrical second light-collecting entrance surface located on the inner periphery of a portion protruding from a position surrounding the periphery of the first light-collecting entrance surface toward the light source and into which a portion of the light emitted from the light source is incident, and a truncated cone-shaped light-collecting reflection surface located on the outer periphery of the protruding portion and which reflects the light incident from the second light-collecting entrance surface.

[0004] In the incident section, the light emitted from the light source and entering the inside of the light guide from the first light-collecting incident surface is collected toward the optical axis. Meanwhile, the light entering the inside of the light guide from the second light-collecting incident surface is reflected by the light-collecting reflecting surface to be collected toward the optical axis. As a result, in the incident section, the light emitted radially from the light source is collimated and enters the inside of the light guide.

[0005] The light guide also has a reflecting section located on the opposite side of the light guide from the incident section, which reflects the light incident from the incident section. The reflecting section has a pair of reflecting surfaces inclined at an angle of 45° in opposite directions to each other with respect to the optical axis of the light emitted from the light source. In the reflecting section, the light incident from the incident section into the light guide is (totally) reflected by the pair of reflecting surfaces. As a result, the light reflected by the reflecting section changes its traveling direction by 90°, and is guided in the left-right direction perpendicular to the central axis of the light guide. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-53988 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Incidentally, in the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1, in order to illuminate a long light-emitting surface, a light source is disposed near the middle of the light guide, and light that enters the light guide is guided from the center of the light guide toward both ends.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means. [1] A light source; a light guide disposed in front of the light source; the light guide body includes a first light guide portion located on a side facing the light source, a second light guide portion extending from the first light guide portion in a direction intersecting the direction of light emitted from the light source, and a third light guide portion disposed in front of the first light guide portion with an air layer therebetween; the first light guiding section includes an incident section located on a side facing the light source and through which light emitted from the light source is incident therein, and an inclined surface located on the opposite side to the incident section and inclined toward a direction in which the second light guiding section extends; The inclined surface reflects a portion of the light incident from the incident portion toward the second light guiding portion and transmits a portion of the light incident from the incident portion toward the third light guiding portion. death, the third light guiding section includes an incident surface located on a side opposite to the first light guiding section, through which the light transmitted through the inclined surface is incident to an interior thereof, a second exit surface located on the opposite side to the incident surface, through which the light incident from the incident surface is emitted to an exterior thereof, and a plurality of second light distribution cuts located on the second exit surface and controlling the distribution of light emitted from the second exit surface; The second light distribution cut is configured to refract the light emitted from the second light exit surface toward a central axis passing through the center of the light source. A vehicle lamp characterized by the above. [2] The light source includes a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged side by side around a central position of each other, The first light guiding portion has a front surface in a cross section including adjacent light emitting elements in one direction among the plurality of light emitting elements. In the notes The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of inclined surfaces inclined in opposite directions from each other on either side of the axis of the lamp in the one direction. [3] The first light guiding section is In the notes The vehicular lamp described in [1] above is characterized in that it includes a pair of inclined surfaces that incline in opposite directions from each other on either side of the axis, and a lens surface that is positioned between the pair of inclined surfaces and is concavely curved toward the incident portion. [4] The vehicle lamp according to any one of [1] to [3], characterized in that the second light guiding section includes a plurality of reflection cuts located on the rear side thereof that reflect light that is reflected by the inclined surface and that is incident on the rear side toward the front side, a first emission surface located on the front side thereof that emits the light reflected by the plurality of reflection cuts to the outside, and a plurality of first light distribution cuts located on the first emission surface that control the distribution of light emitted from the first emission surface. [5] The vehicular lamp according to [4], wherein the first light distribution cut is configured to refract the light emitted from the first emission surface toward the central axis. [6] The vehicle lamp according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the third light guiding section includes the second light distribution cutoff formed so that the height of the light distribution cutoff increases successively from the center side to the outside. [ 7 the light guide body has a structure in which the second light guide portion and the third light guide portion are integrated together, The air layer is provided inside the area surrounded by the second light guiding section and the third light guiding section. 6 ] The vehicular lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4. [ 8 The light guide body has a structure in which the second light guide section and the third light guide section are separately arranged. 6 ] The vehicular lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4. [ 9 a socket with a coupler in which the light source is disposed, The coupler-equipped socket is inserted into the inside of the light body through a mounting hole provided on the back side of the light body that houses the light guide inside, and is removably attached around the mounting hole. 8] The vehicular lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0009] For this reason, it is necessary to use a separate component to make the light-emitting surface of the light guide uniformly emitting light. For example, in the vehicle lamp described in the above Patent Document 1, a reflector is used, and the light is reflected by a reflective surface of the reflector located below the light guide, thereby making the light guide emit light more uniformly.

[0010] The present invention has been proposed in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp which improves the appearance when light is emitted by preventing the occurrence of dark areas when the light guide is illuminated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means. [1] A light source; a light guide disposed in front of the light source; the light guide body includes a first light guide portion located on a side facing the light source, a second light guide portion extending from the first light guide portion in a direction intersecting the direction of light emitted from the light source, and a third light guide portion disposed in front of the first light guide portion with an air layer therebetween; the first light guiding section includes an incident section located on a side facing the light source and through which light emitted from the light source is incident therein, and an inclined surface located on the opposite side to the incident section and inclined toward a direction in which the second light guiding section extends; The inclined surface reflects a portion of the light incident from the incident portion toward the second light guiding portion, and transmits a portion of the light incident from the incident portion toward the third light guiding portion. [2] The light source includes a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged side by side around a central position of each other, The vehicle lamp described in [1], characterized in that the first light-guiding section includes, in a cross section including adjacent light-emitting elements among the plurality of light-emitting elements in one direction, a pair of inclined surfaces that incline in opposite directions from both sides of the one direction across a central axis passing through the center. [3] The vehicular lamp according to [1], wherein the first light guiding portion includes a pair of inclined surfaces inclined in opposite directions from each other on either side of a central axis passing through the center of the light source, and a lens surface located between the pair of inclined surfaces and curved concavely toward the incident portion. [4] The vehicle lamp according to any one of [1] to [3], characterized in that the second light guiding section includes a plurality of reflection cuts located on the rear side thereof that reflect light that is reflected by the inclined surface and that is incident on the rear side toward the front side, a first emission surface located on the front side thereof that emits the light reflected by the plurality of reflection cuts to the outside, and a plurality of first light distribution cuts located on the first emission surface that control the distribution of light emitted from the first emission surface. [5] The vehicular lamp according to [4], wherein the first light distribution cut is configured to refract the light emitted from the first emission surface toward the central axis. [6] The vehicle lamp according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the third light guiding section includes an incident surface located on the side opposite to the first light guiding section, through which light transmitted through the inclined surface enters the interior, a second exit surface located on the opposite side to the incident surface, through which light incident from the incident surface exits to the outside, and a plurality of second light distribution cuts located on the second exit surface for controlling the distribution of light exiting from the second exit surface. [7] The vehicular lamp according to [6], wherein the second light distribution cut is configured to refract the light emitted from the second light exit surface toward the central axis. [8] The light guide body has a structure in which the second light guide section and the third light guide section are integrated together, The vehicular lamp according to any one of claims [1] to [7], wherein the air layer is provided inside an area surrounded by the second light guiding section and the third light guiding section. [9] The vehicular lamp according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the light guide has a structure in which the second light guide portion and the third light guide portion are arranged separately.

[10] A socket with a coupler in which the light source is disposed, The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims [1] to [9], characterized in that the coupler-equipped socket is inserted into the inside of the lamp body through an attachment hole provided on the rear side of the lamp body that houses the light guide inside, and is removably attached around the attachment hole. Effect of the Invention

[0012] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp that can improve the appearance when light is emitted by preventing the occurrence of dark areas when the light guide is illuminated.

[0013] Specifically, according to one embodiment of the present invention, by adjusting the arrangement of the light source, the angle of incidence of light with respect to the inclined surface can be adjusted, and it is possible to create both light ray components that are totally reflected by the inclined surface and light ray components that pass through the inclined surface.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, by devising the shape of the inclined surface, specifically by providing a concave lens between the inclined surfaces, the angle of incidence of light with respect to the inclined surface can be adjusted, and it is possible to create both light ray components that are totally reflected by the inclined surface and light ray components that pass through the inclined surface.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a light guide that can realize uniform illumination over a long light exit surface without using any additional components.

[0016] As described above, according to the present invention, the inclined surface functions as a total reflection surface that guides light to both ends of the light guide, while the light emitting surface in front of the inclined surface can be illuminated. In this way, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp that can improve the appearance when light is emitted by preventing the occurrence of dark areas. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a vehicle lamp according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are diagrams showing the configuration of a first inner lens provided in the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 1, in which FIG. 2A is a perspective view thereof, FIG. [Diagram 3] 4 is a rear view showing the arrangement of multiple light-emitting elements relative to the incident portion of the first inner lens. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicular lamp taken along line AA shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a boxed portion B shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram showing a light emitting surface and its luminous intensity distribution when the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 1 is turned on. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a vehicle lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the first inner lens. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings used in the following description, in order to make each component easier to see, the dimensions of the components may be shown at different scales, and the dimensional ratios of each component may not necessarily be the same as in reality.

[0019] In addition, in the drawings shown below, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is set up, with the X-axis direction representing the front-to-rear direction (length direction) of the vehicle lamp, the Y-axis direction representing the left-to-right direction (width direction) of the vehicle lamp, and the Z-axis direction representing the up-down direction (height direction) of the vehicle lamp.

[0020] (First embodiment) First, as a first embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle lamp 1A shown in, for example, Figs. 1 to 6 will be described.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the vehicle lamp 1A. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a first inner lens 3 provided in the vehicle lamp 1A, where (A) is a perspective view, (B) is a front view, (C) is a side view, and (D) is a rear view. FIG. 3 is a rear view showing the arrangement of multiple light-emitting elements relative to the incident portion of the first inner lens 3. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp 1A taken along line segment AA shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the enclosed portion B shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the light-emitting surface and its luminous intensity distribution when the vehicle lamp 1A is made to emit light.

[0022] The vehicle lamp 1A of this embodiment is an application of the present invention to direction indicators (turn lamps) mounted on both corners on the front end side of a vehicle (not shown), for example.

[0023] Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 to 5, this vehicle lamp 1A includes a light source 2A, a first inner lens 3A arranged in front of the light source 2A, and a second inner lens 4 arranged in front of the first inner lens 3A inside a lamp body (not shown).

[0024] The lamp body is composed of a housing with an opening at the front and a transparent lens cover (outer lens) that covers the opening of the housing. The shape of the lamp body can be changed as appropriate to suit the design of the vehicle.

[0025] The vehicle lamp 1A includes a coupler-equipped socket 5 in which a light source 2A is disposed. The coupler-equipped socket 5 is detachably attached around an attachment hole provided on the rear side of the lamp body (housing) in a state where it is inserted into the inside of the lamp body through an attachment hole.

[0026] The light source 2A has a plurality of light-emitting elements 6 (four in this embodiment) each of which is made up of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit orange light (hereinafter simply referred to as "light") L. The plurality of light-emitting elements 6 are mounted on the front side (+X-axis side) of the circuit board 7, and radially emit light L forward (+X-axis side). That is, the plurality of light-emitting elements 6 are provided on the same surface of the same circuit board 7, and radially emit light L in the same direction.

[0027] The coupler-equipped socket 5 has four light-emitting elements 6 arranged in a line on the circuit board 7, with their centers coinciding with the central axis AX of the first inner lens 3A. That is, these four light-emitting elements 6 include two light-emitting elements 6 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) of the vehicle lamp 1A and two light-emitting elements 6 adjacent to each other in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) of the vehicle lamp 1A, and are arranged in a line around the center positions of each other.

[0028] In this embodiment, the configuration includes a socket with a coupler 5 in which the above-mentioned multiple light-emitting elements 6 (light source 2A) are arranged, but the configuration is not necessarily limited to this, and the configuration may also be such that a circuit board 7 on which multiple light-emitting elements 6 (light source 2A) are arranged is arranged inside the light body.

[0029] Furthermore, the light source 2A is not necessarily limited to a configuration including the above-mentioned multiple light-emitting elements 6, and instead of the multiple light-emitting elements 6, a light source including, for example, a circular ring-shaped or square ring-shaped light-emitting region surrounding the central axis AX of the first inner lens 3A may be used, and light L emitted from these ring-shaped light-emitting regions may be emitted toward the first inner lens 3A.

[0030] The first inner lens 3A and the second inner lens 4 are each made of a light guide using a material having a higher refractive index than air, such as transparent resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic, or glass.

[0031] The first inner lens 3A has, in a cross section (hereinafter referred to as a "vertical cross section") including adjacent light-emitting elements 6 in one direction (in this embodiment, the up-down direction) among the multiple light-emitting elements 6, a first light-guiding section 8 located on its central axis AX, a pair of second light-guiding sections 9 extending from the first light-guiding section 8 to both sides in the one direction (the up-down direction), and a third light-guiding section 10 arranged in front of the first light-guiding section 8 with an air layer K sandwiched between them.

[0032] The first inner lens 3A has a structure in which a pair of second light-guiding sections 9 and third light-guiding sections 10 are integrally formed, and a hole section 3a that serves as an air layer K is provided inside the area surrounded by the pair of second light-guiding sections 9 and third light-guiding sections 10.

[0033] The first light-guiding section 8 is located on the side facing the light source 2A (socket 5 with coupler) (rear side) and has an incident section 11 through which light L emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements 6 enters the interior, and is located on the opposite side (front side) from the incident section 11 and has a pair of inclined surfaces 12 that are inclined in opposite directions from both sides of a direction (up and down) about the central axis AX.

[0034] Since the first inner lens 3A basically has the same configuration on both sides of the central axis AX in one direction (up and down), the configuration of one side (the upper side in this embodiment) of the central axis A will be explained as an example.

[0035] The incident portion 11 has a convex first light-collecting incident surface 11a located in a portion facing the light source 2A and on which a portion of the light L emitted from the light source 2A is incident, a substantially cylindrical second light-collecting incident surface 11b located on the inner side of a portion that protrudes from a position surrounding the periphery of the first light-collecting incident surface 11a toward the light source 2A and on which a portion of the light L emitted from the light source 2 is incident, and a substantially truncated cone-shaped light-collecting reflecting surface 11c located on the outer side of the protruding portion and reflecting the light L incident from the second light-collecting incident surface 11b.

[0036] In the incident portion 11, a part of the light L radially emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements 6 constituting the light source 2A is incident from the first light-collecting incident surface 11a into the inside of the first inner lens 3A. In addition, in the incident portion 11, a part of the light L radially emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements 6 constituting the light source 2A is incident from the second light-collecting incident surface 11b into the inside of the first inner lens 3A, and then reflected by the light-collecting reflecting surface 11c. As a result, the light L incident from the incident portion 11 into the inside of the first inner lens 3A is guided toward a pair of inclined surfaces 12 in front of the first inner lens 3A.

[0037] The pair of inclined surfaces 12 are inclined at an angle of 45° in opposite directions with respect to the central axis AX in the vertical cross section of the first inner lens 3A. On the other hand, two light-emitting elements 6 adjacent to each other in one direction (up-down direction) of the light source 2A are disposed on both sides of the central axis AX of the first inner lens 3A.

[0038] As a result, the pair of inclined surfaces 12 reflect a portion of the light L incident from the incident portion 11 toward the second light-guiding portion 9, while transmitting a portion of the light L incident from the incident portion 11 toward the third light-guiding portion 10.

[0039] That is, two adjacent light-emitting elements 6 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) of the vehicle lamp 1A are located away from the central axis AX of the first inner lens 3B. In this case, a part of the light L from the two adjacent light-emitting elements 6 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) of the vehicle lamp 1A is incident on the inclined surface 12 at an incident angle equal to or greater than the critical angle, and is (totally) reflected by the inclined surface 12. On the other hand, a part of the light L from the two adjacent light-emitting elements 6 in the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) of the vehicle lamp 1A is incident on the inclined surface 12 at an incident angle equal to or less than the critical angle, and is transmitted through the inclined surface 12 and emitted to the air layer K.

[0040] The second light-guiding section 9 has a plurality of reflection cuts 13 located on its rear side that reflect light L reflected by the inclined surface 12 and incident on the rear side toward the front side, a first exit surface 14 located on the front side that emits the light L reflected by the plurality of reflection cuts 13 to the outside (forward), and a plurality of first light distribution cuts 15 located on the surface of the first exit surface 14 that control the distribution of light emitted from this first exit surface 14.

[0041] The second light guiding section 9 has a shape in which its rear surface is inclined toward the front surface, and its front surface is perpendicular to the central axis AX.

[0042] The multiple reflection cuts 13 are not particularly limited in shape, size, number, etc., as long as they reflect the light L incident on the back side of the second light guiding section 9 at an angle at which the light L is emitted (transmitted) from the front side of the second light guiding section 9 to the outside. In this embodiment, for example, the reflection cuts 13 having a substantially triangular cross section formed by cutting out the back side of the second light guiding section 9 in the left-right direction are arranged side by side in the extension direction of the second light guiding section 9.

[0043] In this embodiment, the intervals between adjacent ones of the reflection cuts 13 are equal. On the other hand, the intervals between adjacent ones of the reflection cuts 13 may be gradually narrower from the base end side to the tip end side of the second light guiding section 9 in order to make the light emitting surface (first emission surface 14) of the turn lamp emit light more uniformly.

[0044] The vehicle lamp 1A may be configured to have a reflector facing the back surface of the second light guiding section 9. This allows the light L emitted from the back surface side of the second light guiding section 9 to be reflected by the reflector and then incident again from the back surface side of the second light guiding section 9 into the inside, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the light L.

[0045] The plurality of first light distribution cuts 15 may refract the light L emitted from the first emission surface 14 toward the central axis AX, and there are no particular limitations on the shape, size, number, and the like. In this embodiment, a plurality of first light distribution cuts 15 having a substantially triangular cross section obtained by cutting out the first emission surface of the second light guiding section 9 in the left-right direction are arranged side by side in the extension direction of the second light guiding section 9. By providing such a plurality of first light distribution cuts 15 on the front side of the first emission surface 14, it is possible to control the light L emitted from the first emission surface 14 as parallel light.

[0046] In this embodiment, the intervals between adjacent first light distribution cuts 15 are equal. On the other hand, the intervals between adjacent first light distribution cuts 15 may be gradually narrower from the base end side toward the tip end side of the second light guiding section 9 in order to make the light emitting surface (first emission surface 14) of the turn lamp emit light more uniformly.

[0047] The third light-guiding section 10 has an incident surface 16 located on the side opposite to the first light-guiding section 8 (rear side) and through which light L transmitted through the inclined surface 12 is incident to the inside, a second exit surface 17 located on the opposite side to the incident surface 16 (front side) and through which light L incident from the incident surface 16 is emitted to the outside (forward), and a plurality of second light distribution cuts 18 located on the surface of the second exit surface 17 and which control the distribution of light L emitted from this second exit surface 17.

[0048] The entrance surface 16 is formed of a plane perpendicular to the central axis AX. The second light distribution cuts 18 may be any that refract the light L emitted from the second exit surface 17 toward the central axis AX, and are not particularly limited in shape, size, number, and the like. In this embodiment, the second light distribution cuts 18, each having a substantially triangular cross section formed by cutting the front surface of the third light guiding section 10 in the left-right direction, are arranged in a row in one direction (up-down direction) of the third light guiding section 10.

[0049] In this embodiment, in order to make the light-emitting surface (second exit surface 17) of the turn lamp emit light more uniformly, the plurality of second light distribution cuts 18 are formed so as to become successively larger (specifically, higher) from the center side toward the outside of the third light guiding section 10. By providing such a plurality of second light distribution cuts 18 on the front side of the second exit surface 17, it is possible to control the light L emitted from the second exit surface 17 as parallel light.

[0050] The second inner lens 4 is located on the side facing the first inner lens 3A (rear side) and has an incident surface 19 through which light L emitted from the first exit surface 14 and the second exit surface 17 enters the interior, and an exit surface 20 is located on the opposite side to the incident surface 19 (front side) and emits the light L incident from the incident surface 19 to the outside.

[0051] At least one of the entrance surface 19 and the exit surface 20 (exit surface 20 in this embodiment) is provided with a light diffusion section 21 that diffuses the light L emitted from the exit surface 20. The light diffusion section 21 may have a configuration in which a plurality of diffusion cuts are provided to diffuse the light L emitted from the exit surface 20 to the outside.

[0052] Examples of the diffusion cut include a lens cut called a flute cut or a fisheye cut, and an uneven structure formed by applying a knurling process or a graining process. By adjusting the shape of the diffusion cut, it is possible to control the degree of diffusion of the light L emitted from the exit surface 20. In this embodiment, the diffusion cut is a fisheye cut that diffuses the light L emitted from the exit surface 20 in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0053] In this embodiment, when molding the first inner lens 3A using a mold, the third light-guiding section 10 is inclined at a slight angle (for example, about 5°) with respect to the direction of penetrating the hole section 3a, thereby creating a step 3b between the first exit surface 14 and the second exit surface 17.

[0054] In this embodiment, in order to make the step 3b less noticeable, the width of the step 3b is made smaller than the distance between the first and second light distribution cuts 15, 18. In addition, the light diffusion portion 21 of the second inner lens can make the step 3b less noticeable.

[0055] In the vehicle lamp 1A of this embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to make the front side of the second inner lens 4, which serves as the light emitting surface of the turn lamp, emit orange light more uniformly.

[0056] Specifically, the light emitting surface and its luminous intensity distribution when this vehicle lamp 1A is turned on are shown in Fig. 6. In Fig. 6, the horizontal axis indicates the distance from the center point of the light emitting surface, and the vertical axis indicates the luminance at each position.

[0057] As shown in Figure 6, no dark areas were observed within the range of ±10 mm from the center point. In addition, the average luminance value of the light-emitting surface was approximately 60,000 cd / m2 over the entire range. 2 whereas the maximum and minimum luminance values ​​are ±20,000cd / m 2 It can be seen that it is within the range.

[0058] As described above, in the vehicle lamp 1A of this embodiment, the light-emitting surface of the turn signal lamp can emit light more evenly, and by preventing the occurrence of dark areas (uneven light emission) when the lamp is illuminated, it is possible to improve the appearance when the lamp is illuminated while allowing the light-emitting surface to emit light evenly.

[0059] In particular, in the vehicle lamp 1A of this embodiment, when the optical axis of the light L emitted from each light-emitting element 6 does not coincide with the central axis AX of the first inner lens 3A, such as in the case of multiple light-emitting elements 6 arranged in the coupler-equipped socket 5 described above, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of dark areas (uneven light emission) in the portion where the pair of inclined surfaces 12 are provided, while making the light-emitting surface of the vehicle lamp 1A emit light more uniformly.

[0060] In the above-mentioned vehicle lamp 1A, the light source 2A is configured such that a number of light-emitting elements 6 are arranged around a central position, but it is also possible to arrange an additional light-emitting element 6 at the center.

[0061] Moreover, in the vehicle lamp 1A, the second inner lens 4 may be omitted.

[0062] Second embodiment Next, as a second embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle lamp 1B shown in FIG. 7 will be described. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vehicular lamp 1B. In the following description, the same parts as those in the vehicular lamp 1A will not be described and will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle lamp 1B of this embodiment has multiple (three in this embodiment) light-emitting units 50 inside the lamp body (not shown), each of which includes a light source 2B, a first inner lens 3B arranged in front of the light source 2B, and a second inner lens 4 arranged in front of the first inner lens 3B.

[0064] The light emitting units 50 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) of the vehicle lamp 1B, and are integrated with each other. Specifically, the light source 2B constituting each light emitting unit 50 is composed of one light emitting element 6 and is provided on the same surface of the same circuit board 7. The first inner lenses 3B constituting each light emitting unit 50 are connected between adjacent ones. Meanwhile, the second inner lens 4 is provided extending in the vertical direction so as to be located in front of the first inner lens 3B constituting each light emitting unit 50.

[0065] The light-emitting element 6 constituting each light source 2B is disposed on the central axis AX of each first inner lens 3B. That is, the optical axis of the light L emitted from the light-emitting element 6 coincides with the central axis AX of the first inner lens 3B.

[0066] Each first inner lens 3B has basically the same configuration as the first inner lens 3A, except that it is located between a pair of inclined surfaces 12 and has a lens surface 22 that is concavely curved toward the incident portion 11.

[0067] The lens surface 22 is a surface that emits light L toward the air layer K, and the specific configuration of this lens surface 22, such as its curvature and shape, can be appropriately adjusted according to the size of the air layer K partitioned by the pair of inclined surfaces 12.

[0068] In this configuration, a portion of the light L incident from the incident portion 11 is reflected by the pair of inclined surfaces 12 toward the second light-guiding portion 9, while a portion of the light L incident from the incident portion 11 is diffused by the lens surface 22 and transmitted toward the third light-guiding portion 10.

[0069] In the vehicle lamp 1B of this embodiment, by disposing a lens surface 22 between the pair of inclined surfaces 12 described above, light L incident from the incident portion 11 can be incident on the inclined surface 12 at an angle equal to or less than the critical angle, and light L can be emitted from this lens surface 22 into the air layer K.

[0070] Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 1B of this embodiment, even if the optical axis of the light L emitted from the light-emitting element 6 coincides with the central axis AX of the first inner lens 3B, it is possible, as in the above-mentioned vehicle lamp 1A, to reflect a portion of the light L incident from the incident portion 11 toward the second light-guiding portion 9, while transmitting a portion of the light L incident from the incident portion 11 toward the third light-guiding portion 10.

[0071] As a result, in the vehicle lamp 1B of this embodiment, similarly to the vehicle lamp 1A, it is possible to make the front side of the second inner lens 4 emit orange light more uniformly as the light emitting surface of the turn lamp.

[0072] In particular, in the vehicle lamp 1B of this embodiment, when the optical axis of the light L emitted from the above-mentioned light-emitting element 6 coincides with the central axis AX of the first inner lens 3A, it is possible to make the light-emitting surface of the vehicle lamp 1B emit light more uniformly while preventing the occurrence of dark areas (uneven light emission) in the portion where the pair of inclined surfaces 12 are provided.

[0073] The present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the vehicle lamp 1A can be configured, like the vehicle lamp 1B, with multiple light-emitting units including a light source 2A, a first inner lens 3A arranged in front of the light source 2A, and a second inner lens 4 arranged in front of the first inner lens 3A.

[0074] The first inner lenses 3A and 3B may be configured as shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing another configuration example of the first inner lens 3A. The configuration shown in Fig. 8 is also applicable to the first inner lens 3B.

[0075] 8 has a configuration in which the above-mentioned third light guiding section 10 is disposed separately from the first light guiding section 8 and the pair of second light guiding sections 9. In this configuration, the third light guiding section 10 can be disposed in contact with the pair of second light guiding sections 9, in addition to being disposed apart from the pair of second light guiding sections 9.

[0076] The light guide to which the present invention is applied is not necessarily limited to a shape extending in the vertical direction such as the first inner lenses 3A, 3B described above, but may also be a shape extending in the horizontal direction or a shape spreading out in a plane around the central axis AX.

[0077] The vehicular lighting fixtures to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-mentioned turn signal (turn lamp), but the present invention can be widely applied to vehicular lighting fixtures having a light-emitting surface, such as width lamps (position lamps), daytime running lamps (DRLs), tail lamps, brake lamps (stop lamps), and back lamps.

[0078] As for the light source, other than the above-mentioned LED, for example, a light emitting element such as a laser diode (LD) can be used. Furthermore, the color of the light L emitted by the light source is not limited to the above-mentioned orange light, but can be changed appropriately depending on the application of the vehicle lamp, such as red light or white light. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A, 1B...vehicle lamp 2A, 2B...light source 3A, 3B...first inner lens (light guide) 4...second inner lens 5...socket with coupler 6...light emitting element 7...circuit board 8...first light guide section 9...second light guide section 10...third light guide section 11...entrance section 12...inclined surface 13...reflection cut 14...first exit surface 15...first light distribution cut 16...entrance surface 17...second exit surface 18...second light distribution cut 19...entrance surface 20...exit surface 21...light diffusion section 22...lens surface 50...light emitting unit AX...central axis L...light K...air layer

Claims

1. A light source; a light guide disposed in front of the light source; the light guide body includes a first light guide portion located on a side facing the light source, a second light guide portion extending from the first light guide portion in a direction intersecting the direction of light emitted from the light source, and a third light guide portion disposed in front of the first light guide portion with an air layer therebetween; the first light guiding section includes an incident section located on a side facing the light source and through which light emitted from the light source is incident therein, and an inclined surface located on the opposite side to the incident section and inclined toward a direction in which the second light guiding section extends, the inclined surface reflects a portion of the light incident from the incident portion toward the second light guiding portion and transmits a portion of the light incident from the incident portion toward the third light guiding portion, the third light guiding section includes an incident surface located on a side opposite to the first light guiding section, through which the light transmitted through the inclined surface is incident to an interior of the third light guiding section, a second exit surface located on the opposite side to the incident surface, through which the light incident from the incident surface is emitted to an exterior of the third light guiding section, and a plurality of second light distribution cuts located on the second exit surface and controlling the distribution of light emitted from the second exit surface; The second light distribution cut is configured to refract the light emitted from the second emission surface toward a central axis passing through a center of the light source.

2. The light source includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged side by side around a central position of each other, 2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the first light-guiding portion includes, in a cross section including adjacent light-emitting elements in one direction among the plurality of light-emitting elements, a pair of inclined surfaces inclined in opposite directions from each other on either side of the central axis in the one direction.

3. 2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the first light guiding portion includes a pair of inclined surfaces inclined in opposite directions from each other on either side of the central axis, and a lens surface located between the pair of inclined surfaces and curved concavely toward the incident portion.

4. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second light guiding section includes: a plurality of reflection cuts located on a rear side thereof that reflect light that is reflected by the inclined surface and that is incident on the rear side toward a front side; a first exit surface located on the front side thereof that emits the light reflected by the plurality of reflection cuts to the outside; and a plurality of first light distribution cuts located on the first exit surface that control the distribution of light emitted from the first exit surface.

5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 4 , wherein the first light distribution cut is configured to refract the light emitted from the first emission surface toward the central axis.

6. A vehicle lighting fixture as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the third light-guiding portion includes the second light distribution cut formed so that the height of the light distribution cut gradually increases from the center side to the outside.

7. the light guide body has a structure in which the second light guide portion and the third light guide portion are integrated together, 7. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the air layer is provided inside a region surrounded by the second light guiding portion and the third light guiding portion.

8. 7. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light guide body has a structure in which the second light guide portion and the third light guide portion are arranged separately.

9. a socket with a coupler in which the light source is disposed, The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the coupler-equipped socket is inserted into the inside of the lamp body through an attachment hole provided on the rear side of the lamp body that houses the light guide inside, and is removably attached around the attachment hole.

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