Vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting fixture capable of making a rod-like light guide part extending in a three-dimensionally curved state on one side with respect to an incident part and an irregular shape reflector disposed on the other side with respect to the incident part emit light uniformly (or substantially uniformly).SOLUTION: A vehicular lighting fixture includes: a light source 20; a rod-like light guide body 30; and a reflector 40. The rod-like light guide body includes: an incident part 31; and a rod-like light guide part 32. The rod-like light guide part extends in a three-dimensionally curved state on one side with respect to the incident part. The reflector is arranged on the other side with respect to the incident part. The incident part includes: an incident surface; a first light emitting surface 31b; a first total reflection surface 31c; and a second total reflection surface 31. The incident surface is a condenser lens surface for condensing light from the light source. The first total reflection surface includes an optical element for diffusing and reflecting first light. The rod-like light guide part includes a second light emitting surface from which the first light emits which is diffused and reflected and light-guided in the rod-like light guide part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp, and more particularly to a vehicle lamp capable of uniformly (or approximately uniformly) emitting light from a rod-shaped light guiding section extending in a three-dimensionally curved state from a light entrance section on one side of the light entrance section, and an irregularly shaped reflector arranged on the other side of the light entrance section. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle lamp that includes a light source, a light entrance section where light from the light source enters, a rod-shaped light guiding section extending in a straight line from the light entrance section on one side of the light entrance section, and a reflector arranged on the other side of the light entrance section, and is configured to cause the rod-shaped light guiding section and reflector to emit light by light from the light source that is totally reflected by a pair of total reflection surfaces (a pair of total reflection surfaces arranged at a 45-degree incline) provided on the light entrance section (see FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1 in particular).

[0003] In response to this, the inventors considered making a rod-shaped light guiding section that extends from the light entrance section in a three-dimensionally curved state on one side of the light entrance section, and an irregularly shaped reflector that is arranged on the other side of the light entrance section, emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5677122 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the inventors' investigations revealed that when a pair of total reflection surfaces (a pair of total reflection surfaces arranged at a 45-degree inclination) are used at the light entrance, it is not possible to cause the rod-shaped light guiding section extending in a three-dimensionally curved state from the light entrance on one side of the light entrance, and the irregularly shaped reflector arranged on the other side of the light entrance, to emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly).

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and has an object to provide a vehicle lamp that can emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly) from a rod-shaped light-guiding section that extends from the light entrance section in a three-dimensionally curved state on one side of the light entrance section, and an irregularly shaped reflector that is arranged on the other side of the light entrance section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vehicle lamp according to the present invention includes a light source, a rod-shaped light guide, and a reflector, the rod-shaped light guide includes a light entrance portion and a rod-shaped light guide portion, the rod-shaped light guide portion extends from the light entrance portion in a three-dimensionally curved state on one side of the light entrance portion, the reflector is disposed on the other side of the light entrance portion, the light entrance portion includes a light entrance surface, a first light exit surface, a first total reflection surface, and a second total reflection surface, the light entrance surface is a focusing lens surface that focuses light from the light source that enters from the light entrance surface, and the first total reflection surface focuses a first light that is incident on the first total reflection surface out of the light from the light source that enters from the light entrance surface. the rod-shaped light guiding section includes at least one optical element that diffusely reflects light, the rod-shaped light guiding section includes a second light exit surface from which the first light that is diffusely reflected by the optical element and guided within the rod-shaped light guiding section to the tip of the rod-shaped light guiding section exits, the second total reflection surface is a concentrating total reflection surface that concentrating a second light that is incident on the second total reflection surface among the light from the light source that enters through the light entrance surface and that is incident on the second total reflection surface toward the first light exit surface, the first light exit surface is a light exit surface from which the second light that is totally reflected by the second total reflection surface exits, and the reflector includes a reflective surface onto which the second light exiting from the first light exit surface is incident and which reflects the incident second light.

[0008] With this configuration, the rod-shaped light guiding section extending from the light entrance section in a three-dimensionally curved state on one side of the light entrance section, and the irregularly shaped reflector arranged on the other side of the light entrance section, can emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly).

[0009] The rod-shaped light guiding portion can emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly) because the first light guided within the rod-shaped light guiding portion is diffusely reflected by the optical element provided on the first total reflection surface.

[0010] The irregularly shaped reflector can emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly) because the light entrance surface is a concentrating lens surface and the second total reflection surface is a concentrating total reflection surface, so that at each cross section, the second light emitted from the first light exit surface, which has a stronger relative intensity, enters the reflector (reflecting surface) farther from the optical axis of the light source, and the second light emitted from the first light exit surface, which has a weaker relative intensity, enters the reflector (reflecting surface) closer to the optical axis of the light source.

[0011] Moreover, in the above-described vehicle lamp, the light entrance surface may be a converging lens surface curved convexly toward the light source side, and the second total reflection surface may be a converging total reflection surface curved convexly toward the anti-light source side, and in each cross section, light having a stronger relative intensity among the second light emitted from the first light exit surface may be incident on the reflecting surface farther from the optical axis of the light source, and light having a weaker relative intensity among the second light emitted from the first light exit surface may be incident on the reflecting surface closer to the optical axis of the light source.

[0012] In the vehicle lamp, the reflector may be a irregular shaped reflector having cross sections each having a different length.

[0013] In the vehicle lamp, a width of the reflector may change with increasing distance from the optical axis of the light source.

[0014] In addition, in the above-mentioned vehicle lamp, at least one of the shapes of the second total reflection surface and the first light exit surface may be adjusted so that, in each cross section, a diffusion angle of the second light exiting from the first light exit surface corresponds to a length of the reflector.

[0015] In the vehicle lamp, the radius of curvature R of the second total reflection surface may be smaller in each cross section as the length of the reflector increases.

[0016] In the vehicle lamp, in each cross section, the shorter the length of the reflector, the smaller the inclination angle of the first light output surface with respect to the optical axis of the light source.

[0017] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned vehicle lamp, the reflective surface may be a parabolic reflective surface having a focal point set in the vicinity of the first light-emitting surface, and the second total reflection surface may have a surface shape designed such that the second light, which is totally reflected by the second total reflection surface and emitted from the first light-emitting surface, is concentrated at the focal point.

[0018] In the above vehicle lamp, the light source, the rod-shaped light guide, and the reflector may be disposed within a decorative opening that is long and has a variable width when viewed from the front. Effect of the Invention

[0019] The present invention makes it possible to provide a vehicle lamp that can emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly) from a rod-shaped light-guiding section that extends in a three-dimensionally curved state from a light entrance section on one side of the light entrance section, and an irregularly shaped reflector that is arranged on the other side of the light entrance section. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 2A is a front view of the vehicle lamp 10, and FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle lamp 10. [Diagram 3]1 is a perspective view of a vehicle lamp 10 in a state in which a rod-shaped light guide 30, a reflector 40, and a housing 50 are combined together. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of a light entrance portion 31 of a rod-shaped light guide 30 in FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 taken along line B-B. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a rod-shaped light guide 30. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a rod-shaped light guide 30A of a comparative example. [Figure 9] 8A is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 7, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 7 (modified example). [Figure 10] 1(a) is a DD cross-sectional view of FIG. 1(a), (b) is an EE cross-sectional view of FIG. 1(a), and (c) is an FF cross-sectional view of FIG. 1(a). [Figure 11] (a) An example of a decorative opening. (b) A modified example of a decorative opening. [Figure 12] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle lamp 10A of a comparative example, and FIG. [Figure 13] GG cross-sectional view in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, a vehicle lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will 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.

[0022] FIG. 1(a) is a front view of the vehicle lamp 10, and FIG. 1(b) is a side view of the vehicle lamp 10. As shown in FIG.

[0023] The vehicle lamp 10 of this embodiment is a vehicle signal lamp that functions as a rear combination lamp, and is mounted on both the left and right sides of the rear end of a vehicle such as an automobile (not shown). Since the vehicle lamps 10 mounted on both the left and right sides have a symmetrical configuration, the vehicle lamp 10 mounted on the right side of the rear end of the vehicle (the right side when facing the front of the vehicle) will be described below as a representative example.

[0024] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle lamp 10. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the vehicle lamp 10 in a state where the rod-shaped light guide 30, the reflector 40 and the housing 50 are combined. Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the light entrance portion 31 of the rod-shaped light guide 30 in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 4.

[0025] 3 to 6, the vehicle lamp 10 includes a light source 20, a rod-shaped light guide 30, a reflector 40 (main reflective surface 41), and a housing 50. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle lamp 10 includes an inner lens 60, an extension 70, and an outer lens 80.

[0026] The inner lens 60 is made of a transparent resin (e.g., milky white) such as acrylic or polycarbonate, and is configured into a shape corresponding to the rod-shaped light guide 30 and reflector 40 in the combined state as shown in Fig. 3. Although not shown, the inner lens 60 is disposed in front of the rod-shaped light guide 30 and reflector 40 in the combined state as shown in Fig. 3. The inner lens 60 covers the rod-shaped light guide 30 and reflector 40 in a front view.

[0027] The extension 70 is made of an opaque resin (e.g., black) such as acrylic or polycarbonate, and has a through hole 71 (see FIG. 2) formed in a shape corresponding to the rod-shaped light guide 30 and the reflector 40 in the combined state as shown in FIG. 3. The through hole 71 is a long through hole (design opening) whose width changes in front view. Although not shown, the extension 70 is disposed in front of the inner lens 60 with the inner lens 60 exposed from the through hole 71. The light source 20, the rod-shaped light guide 30, and the reflector 40 are disposed in the design opening (through hole 71) in front view. Note that the design opening is defined by the extension 70 (e.g., through hole 71) when the extension 70 is provided, but is defined by the outer lens 80 (e.g., transparent portion 81) when the extension 70 is omitted.

[0028] The outer lens 80 includes a transparent portion 81 and an opaque portion 82. The transparent portion 81 is made of a transparent resin (e.g., red) such as acrylic or polycarbonate, and is configured in a shape corresponding to the extension 70. On the other hand, the opaque portion 82 is made of an opaque resin (e.g., black) such as acrylic or polycarbonate, and is configured in a shape surrounding the transparent portion 81. Although not shown, the outer lens 80 is disposed in front of the extension 70. The transparent portion 81 covers the extension 70 in a front view.

[0029] 3 to 6, the inner lens 60, the extension 70, and the outer lens 80 are omitted. For convenience of explanation, XYZ axes are defined below as shown in FIG. 1 etc. The X axis extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The Y axis extends in the vehicle width direction. The Z axis extends in the vertical direction.

[0030] 6, the light source 20 is a socket-type light source, and includes, for example, a light emitting portion (for example, at least one semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED) that emits red light. The light source 20 has an optical axis AX 20 (See Fig. 5, Fig. 6, etc.) The relative intensity (luminosity) on the optical axis AX is the strongest. 20As the angle from the center increases, the relative intensity (luminous intensity) decreases (Lambertian light distribution). The light source 20 is attached to the housing 50 in a state where it is inserted into a through hole formed in the reflector 40.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the rod-shaped light guide 30. As shown in FIG.

[0032] The rod-shaped light guide 30 is made of a transparent resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate, and includes a light entrance portion 31 and a rod-shaped light guide portion 32 as shown in FIG.

[0033] 6, light entrance section 31 is a snail-shaped light entrance section including light entrance surface 31a, first light exit surface 31b, and second total reflection surface 31d. Also, as shown in FIG 5, light entrance section 31 includes first total reflection surface 31c.

[0034] The light entrance surface 31a is a condensing lens surface that condenses the light from the light source 20 that enters through the light entrance surface 31a. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, the light entrance surface 31a is a condensing lens surface that is curved convexly toward the light source 20 side. For example, the curved convexly toward the light source 20 side is aligned with the optical axis AX of the light source 20. 20 A rotationally symmetric focusing lens surface is formed by rotating the lens around the center.

[0035] 4 and 5, first total reflection surface 31c includes at least one optical element 31c1 that diffusely reflects a first light Ray1 incident on first total reflection surface 31c out of the light from light source 20 that enters through light entrance surface 31a. First total reflection surface 31c is provided in the vicinity of the base end of rod-shaped light guiding section 32, for example, in a range of θ1 (fan-shaped range) in FIG.

[0036] The optical element 31c1 is an optical element that diffuses the first light Ray1 incident on the first total reflection surface 31c (optical element 31c1). For example, the optical element 31c1 is a radial diffusion cut that radially diffuses the first light Ray1 incident on the first total reflection surface 31c (optical element 31c1) toward the rod-shaped light guiding section 32 (base end) (for example, radially diffuses in the width direction (see FIG. 9(a)) of the rod-shaped light guiding section 32). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of radially extending knurls (for example, cylindrical surfaces or cylindrical surfaces) can be used as the optical element 31c1.

[0037] The technical significance of providing optical element 31c1 on first total reflection surface 31c will be described in comparison with rod-shaped light guide 30A of a comparative example.

[0038] 8 is a perspective view of a rod-shaped light guide 30A of a comparative example. The rod-shaped light guide 30A of the comparative example is similar to the rod-shaped light guide 30 of this embodiment, except that the optical element 31c1 is not provided on the first total reflection surface 31c.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 8, in the rod-shaped light guide 30A of the comparative example, the first total reflection surface 31c does not have an optical element 31c1 provided thereon, so that the first light Ray1 totally reflected by the first total reflection surface 31c is guided in the rod-shaped light guide 32 with regularity. The light guided in a regularity is distributed along the curved portion of the rod-shaped light guide 32, or is emitted from the curved portion of the rod-shaped light guide 32 to the outside. For example, the light incident at an acute angle to the curved portion of the rod-shaped light guide 32, or the light along the rod-shaped light guide 32, is reflected (diffuse reflected) by the optical element LC (see FIG. 9(a) for example) in front and is emitted to the outside. Therefore, the first light Ray1 totally reflected by the first total reflection surface 31c cannot be guided to the tip of the rod-shaped light guide 32, which extends in a three-dimensionally curved state. Therefore, there is a problem that the entire rod-shaped light guide 32 cannot be uniformly (or approximately uniformly) illuminated.

[0040] In contrast, in the rod-shaped light guide 30 of this embodiment, the optical element 31c1 is provided on the first total reflection surface 31c (see FIG. 4), and the first light Ray1 diffusely reflected by the optical element 31c1 is internally reflected by the flat surface of the second light output surface 32a, the curved surface of the second light output surface 32b, and the flat surface 32c1 between the lens cuts LC and LC of the reflection surface 32c in the rod-shaped light guide 32, and guided in multiple directions, as shown in FIG. 5. In addition, in the rod-shaped light guide 30 of this embodiment, the optical element 31c1 is provided on the first total reflection surface 31c (see FIG. 4), and therefore the first light Ray1 diffusely reflected by the optical element 31c1 and incident at an obtuse angle on a pair of opposing side walls 32d and 32e (see FIG. 9(a)) of the rod-shaped light guide 32 is particularly increased. Therefore, the first light Ray1 diffusely reflected by the optical element 31c1 can be guided to the tip of the rod-shaped light guiding portion 32 extending in a three-dimensionally curved state. This allows the entire rod-shaped light guiding portion 32 to emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly).

[0041] As shown in Fig. 3, rod-shaped light guiding section 32 extends from light entrance section 31 on one side (upper side in Fig. 3) toward the tip of rod-shaped light guiding section 32 in a three-dimensionally curved state. Specifically, it extends in the direction of arrow AR1 in Fig. 1(a) when viewed from the front, and extends in a direction inclined at angle θ2 with respect to the Z axis in Fig. 1(b) when viewed from the side (see arrow AR2 in Fig. 1(b)). The angle θ2 is, for example, 40 degrees.

[0042] Fig. 9(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 7. Fig. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 7 (a modified example).

[0043] As shown in FIG. 9(a), the outer peripheral surface of the rod-shaped light guide 32 includes second light output surfaces 32a, 32b arranged on the front side (rear side of the vehicle), a reflecting surface 32c arranged on the opposite rear side, and a pair of vertical side walls 32d, 32e (side surfaces) facing each other. That is, the rod-shaped light guide 32 is an elongated rod-shaped light guide in the form of a light guide plate that extends in a three-dimensionally curved state from the light input portion 31 to the tip of the rod-shaped light guide 32 on one side (upper side in FIG. 3) of the light input portion 31. The rod-shaped light guide 32 may be a general light guide rod (for example, with a circular or ginkgo-shaped cross section). The reflecting surface 32c includes a plurality of optical elements LC and a flat surface 32c1 that reflect (diffusely reflect) the light that is guided through the rod-shaped light guide 32 and enters the reflecting surface 32c, and causes the light to exit from the second light output surfaces 32a, 32b. As shown in FIG. 5, the optical elements LC and the flat surfaces 32c1 are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped light guiding section 32. The optical elements LC are, for example, lens cuts (for example, reflection cuts such as V grooves). Hereinafter, they will also be referred to as lens cuts LC. The second light output surface 32b is inclined so as not to interfere with the inner lens 60 arranged in front of the rod-shaped light guide 30 (second light output surfaces 32a, 32b). If a sufficient distance can be secured between the second light output surface 32b and the inner lens 60, the second light output surface 32b may be omitted as shown in FIG. 9(b).

[0044] 6, second total reflection surface 31d is a light collecting total reflection surface that collects a second light Ray2 incident on second total reflection surface 31d among the light from light source 20 that has entered through light entrance surface 31a and totally reflects the second light Ray2 toward first light exit surface 31b. For example, second total reflection surface 31d has a curved convex curved toward the side opposite light source 20, the curved convex curved toward the optical axis AX of light source 20. 20 It is a rotationally symmetric concentrating total reflection surface formed by rotating the second total reflection surface 31d around the center (by rotating within the range of angle θ3 in FIG. 4). The second light Ray2 that is totally reflected by the second total reflection surface 31d and emitted from the first light output surface 31b, for example, the light Ray2a having a strong relative intensity among the second light Ray2 and the light Ray2b having a weak relative intensity among the second light Ray2, intersect near the first light output surface 31b (for example, see design point F in FIG. 6 and FIG. 10(a) to FIG. 10(c)). Note that the design point F can also be called a focal point.

[0045] The first light exit surface 31b is a light exit surface from which the second light Ray2 totally reflected by the second total reflection surface 31d exits. The first light exit surface 31b is provided on the peripheral side surface of the light entrance portion 31 within a range of an angle θ3 in FIG.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 3, the reflector 40 includes a main reflecting surface 41 disposed on the other side (lower side in Fig. 3) of the light entrance portion 31, and an extended reflecting surface 42 extending along the rod-shaped light guiding portion 32 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the light entrance portion 31. The reflector 40 is an irregular reflector having different lengths of cross sections (see symbols L1 to L3 in Figs. 10(a) to 10(c)). The width W (see Fig. 3) of the reflector 40 (main reflecting surface 41) is 1 / 2 the optical axis AX of the light source 20. 20 In addition, the length L (see FIG. 3) of the main reflecting surface 41 is longer than the maximum width of the main reflecting surface 41.

[0047] The primary reflecting surface 41 receives the second light Ray2 emitted from the first light emitting surface 31b and reflects the incident second light Ray2 (see FIG. 10).

[0048] The primary reflecting surface 41 is a parabolic reflecting surface. The primary reflecting surface 41 includes a plurality of individual reflecting surfaces 41a (also called cut surfaces).

[0049] Fig. 10(a) is a DD cross-sectional view of Fig. 1(a), Fig. 10(b) is an EE cross-sectional view of Fig. 1(a), and Fig. 10(c) is an FF cross-sectional view of Fig. 1(a). L1 to L3 in Fig. 10(a) to Fig. 10(c) represent areas of the main reflecting surface 41 onto which the second light Ray2 emitted from the first light-emitting surface 31b is incident. The relationship between L1, L2, and L3 is L1>L2>L3.

[0050] As described above, since light entrance surface 31a is a condensing lens surface and second total reflection surface 31d is a condensing total reflection surface, the optical axis AX 20In each cross section including the first light emitting surface 31b (see, for example, FIGS. 10(a) to 10(c)), the light Ray2a having a higher relative intensity among the second light Ray2 emitted from the first light emitting surface 31b is aligned along the optical axis AX of the light source 20 of the reflector 40 (main reflecting surface 41). 20 The second light Ray2, which is incident far from the reflector 40 and is emitted from the first light output surface 31b, has a weaker relative intensity. The second light Ray2b is incident on the reflector 40 (main reflecting surface 41) far from the optical axis AX of the light source 20. 20 It enters from nearby.

[0051] The shape (e.g., R) of the second total reflection surface 31d and the shape (e.g., optical axis AX) of the first light output surface 31b are determined so that the diffusion width (diffusion angle between light Ray 2a and light Ray 2b) of the second light Ray 2 output from the first light output surface 31b in each cross section (e.g., see Figs. 10(a) to 10(c)) corresponds to the length of the reflector 40 (main reflection surface 41) (e.g., see symbols L1 to L3 in Figs. 10(a) to 10(c)). 20 At least one of the above two parameters, that is, the inclination of the first light-emitting surface 31b with respect to the surface 31a, is adjusted.

[0052] For example, as shown in FIG. 10(a), in the cross section DD, the shape (e.g., R) of second total reflection surface 31d and the shape (e.g., optical axis AX) of first light-emitting surface 31b are different from each other as shown in the following (1) to (3). 20 At least one of the above two parameters, that is, the inclination of the first light-emitting surface 31b with respect to the surface 31a, is adjusted.

[0053] (1) The optical axis AX having the strongest relative intensity among the light incident from the light incident surface 31a 20 Nearby light Ray2a _D However, the second total reflection surface 31d is located on the optical axis AX 20 Nearby position p 1_D The light is totally reflected by the first light output surface 31b and exits from the first light output surface 31b at the farthest position p 2_D is incident on

[0054] (2) The optical axis AX, which has a weak relative intensity among the light incident from the light incident surface 31a 20 Far-away Light Ray2b _D However, the second total reflection surface 31d is located on the optical axis AX 20Position far from p 3_D The light is totally reflected by the first light output surface 31b and exits from the first light output surface 31b at the nearest position p 4_D is incident on

[0055] (3) The optical axis AX having a relatively strong intensity among the light incident from the light incident surface 31a 20 Nearby light Ray2a _D and the relatively weak optical axis AX 20 Distant Light from Ray2b _D The light between the position p 1_D and position p 3_D The light is totally reflected in the region between the first light output surface 31b and the position p 2_D and position p 4_D The radiation enters the region between

[0056] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 10(b), in the E-E cross section, the shape (e.g., R) of second total reflection surface 31d and the shape (e.g., optical axis AX) of first light-emitting surface 31b are different from each other as shown in the following (4) to (6). 20 At least one of the above two parameters, that is, the inclination of the first light-emitting surface 31b with respect to the surface 31a, is adjusted.

[0057] (1) The optical axis AX having the strongest relative intensity among the light incident from the light incident surface 31a 20 Nearby light Ray2a _E However, the second total reflection surface 31d is located on the optical axis AX 20 Nearby position p 1_E The light is totally reflected by the first light output surface 31b and exits from the first light output surface 31b at the farthest position p 2_E is incident on

[0058] (2) The optical axis AX, which has a weak relative intensity among the light incident from the light incident surface 31a 20 Far-away Light Ray2b _E However, the second total reflection surface 31d is located on the optical axis AX 20 Position far from p 3_E The light is totally reflected by the first light output surface 31b and exits from the first light output surface 31b at the nearest position p 4_E is incident on

[0059] (3) The optical axis AX having a relatively strong intensity among the light incident from the light incident surface 31a 20 Nearby light Ray2a _E and the relatively weak optical axis AX 20 Distant Light from Ray2b _E The light between the position p 1_E and position p 3_E The light is totally reflected in the region between the first light output surface 31b and the position p 2_E and position p 4_E The radiation enters the region between

[0060] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 10(c), in the FF cross section, the shape (e.g., R) of second total reflection surface 31d and the shape (e.g., optical axis AX) of first light-emitting surface 31b are different from each other as shown in the following (7) to (9). 20 At least one of the above two parameters, that is, the inclination of the first light-emitting surface 31b with respect to the surface 31a, is adjusted.

[0061] (7) The optical axis AX having the strongest relative intensity among the light incident from the light incident surface 31a 20 Nearby light Ray2a _F However, the second total reflection surface 31d is located on the optical axis AX 20 Nearby position p 1_F The light is totally reflected by the first light output surface 31b and exits from the first light output surface 31b at the farthest position p 2_F is incident on

[0062] (8) The optical axis AX, which is relatively weak among the light incident from the light incident surface 31a 20 Far-away Light Ray2b _F However, the second total reflection surface 31d is located on the optical axis AX 20 Position far from p 3_F The light is totally reflected by the first light output surface 31b and exits from the first light output surface 31b at the nearest position p 4_F is incident on

[0063] (9) Among the light incident from the light incident surface 31a, the light axis AX has a relatively strong intensity. 20 Nearby light Ray2a _Fand the relatively weak optical axis AX 20 Distant Light from Ray2b _F The light between the position p 1_F and position p 3_F The light is totally reflected in the region between the first light output surface 31b and the position p 2_F and position p 4_F The radiation enters the region between

[0064] As described above, in each cross section (see, for example, FIGS. 10(a) to 10(c)), the shape (for example, R) of second total reflection surface 31d and the shape (for example, optical axis AX 20 By adjusting at least one of the angles (angle of incidence of first light emitting surface 31b relative to the incident light) it is possible to adjust the diffusion width (the diffusion angle formed by light Ray2a and light Ray2b) of the second light Ray2 emitted from first light emitting surface 31b.

[0065] For example, it can be adjusted to an angle corresponding to the length (for example, see symbols L1 to L3 in Figs. 10(a) to 10(c)) of the reflector 40 (main reflective surface 41). This enables optical control according to the length (for example, see L1 to L3) of the reflector 40 (main reflective surface 41).

[0066] As a result of the above adjustment, the longer the length of reflector 40 (main reflective surface 41) is, the smaller the R of second total reflection surface 31d is. Also, the shorter the length of reflector 40 (main reflective surface 41) is, the smaller the R of second total reflection surface 31d is. 20 The inclination angle of the first light-emitting surface 31b with respect to the surface 31a becomes smaller.

[0067] As described above, in each cross section, the light having a high relative intensity among the second light Ray2 emitted from the first light emitting surface 31b is reflected by the optical axis AX of the light source 20 of the reflector 40 (main reflecting surface 41). 20 The second light Ray2 that is incident far from the reflector 40 and exits from the first light exit surface 31b is reflected by the reflector 40 (main reflecting surface 41) along the optical axis AX of the light source 20. 20This allows the reflector 40 (main reflective surface 41) to emit light uniformly (approximately uniformly) without unevenness.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 4, light entering portion 31 may include a third total reflection surface 31f and a third light exiting surface 31g from which reflected light from third total reflection surface 31f exits, in order to emit light in a direction 45° outward in the vehicle width direction (lateral irradiation).

[0069] In the vehicle lamp 10 having the above-described configuration, when the light source 20 is turned on, the light emitted by the light source 20 follows the following optical path.

[0070] 5, the first light Ray1 incident on first total reflection surface 31c of the light from light source 20 entering through light entrance surface 31a is totally reflected (diffusely reflected) by first total reflection surface 31c (optical element 31c1) and guided through rod-shaped light guiding section 32. Then, the first light Ray1 guided through rod-shaped light guiding section 32 is internally reflected (diffusely reflected) by reflection surface 32c (optical element LC) arranged on the back side of rod-shaped light guiding section 32, and exits from second light exit surface 32a and second light exit surface 32b of rod-shaped light guiding section 32.

[0071] At this time, since the optical element 31c1 is provided on the first total reflection surface 31c (see FIG. 4), as shown in FIG. 5, the first light Ray1 diffusely reflected by the optical element 31c1 is internally reflected by the flat surface of the second light output surface 32a, the curved surface of the second light output surface 32b, and the flat surface 32c1 between the lens cuts LC and LC of the reflecting surface 32c in the rod-shaped light guiding section 32, and is guided in multiple directions. In addition, since the optical element 31c1 is provided on the first total reflection surface 31c (see FIG. 4), the first light Ray1 diffusely reflected by the optical element 31c1 and incident at an obtuse angle on a pair of opposing side walls 32d and 32e (see FIG. 9(a)) of the rod-shaped light guiding section 32 is increased. Therefore, the first light Ray1 diffusely reflected by the optical element 31c1 can be guided to the tip of the rod-shaped light guiding section 32 extending in a three-dimensionally curved state. This allows the entire rod-shaped light guiding portion 32 to emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly).

[0072] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, a second light Ray2, which is part of the light from the light source 20 entering through the light entrance surface 31a and incident on the second total reflection surface 31d, is totally reflected by the second total reflection surface 31d, exits from the first light exit surface 31b, and enters the primary reflection surface 41 (for example, region L1 in FIG. 10(a), region L2 in FIG. 10(b), and region L3 in FIG. 10(c)).

[0073] At that time, the optical axis AX of the light source 20 20 In each cross section including the first light emitting surface 31b (see, for example, FIGS. 10(a) to 10(c)), the light Ray2a having a higher relative intensity among the second light Ray2 emitted from the first light emitting surface 31b is aligned along the optical axis AX of the light source 20 of the reflector 40 (main reflecting surface 41). 20 The second light Ray2, which is incident far from the reflector 40 and is emitted from the first light output surface 31b, has a weaker relative intensity. The second light Ray2b is incident on the reflector 40 (main reflecting surface 41) far from the optical axis AX of the light source 20. 20 This allows the reflector 40 (main reflective surface 41) to emit light uniformly (approximately uniformly) without unevenness.

[0074] In other words, the second light Ray2 (see, for example, Figures 10(a) to 10(c)) emitted from the first light output surface 31b can be considered to be light emitted downward (diagonally downward) from a virtual focal point, which allows the reflector 40 (main reflecting surface 41) to emit light uniformly (approximately uniformly) without unevenness.

[0075] Here, the virtual focal point will be described.

[0076] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG in FIG.

[0077] In Fig. 13, the symbol VF1 represents the virtual focal point of the individual reflecting surface 41a1. Similarly, the symbols VF2, VF3, and VF4 represent the virtual focal points of the individual reflecting surfaces 41a2 to 41a4, respectively. Note that the other individual reflecting surfaces 41a also have virtual focal points. The virtual focal points VF1 to VF4 are on the optical axis AX20 of the light source 20. The other virtual focal points are similar.

[0078] As described above, according to this embodiment, the rod-shaped light guiding section 32 extending in a three-dimensionally curved state from the light entering section 31 on one side of the light entering section 31, and the reflector 40 arranged on the other side of the light entering section 31, can be made to emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly).

[0079] The rod-shaped light guiding portion 32 can emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly) because the first light Ray1 guided within the rod-shaped light guiding portion 32 is diffusely reflected by the optical element 31c1 provided on the first total reflection surface 31c.

[0080] The reason why the reflector 40 can emit light uniformly (or approximately uniformly) is that the light entrance surface 31a is a condensing lens surface and the second total reflection surface 31d is a condensing total reflection surface. Therefore, in each cross section (see FIG. 10(a) to FIG. 10(c)), the light Ray2a having a strong relative intensity among the second light Ray2 emitted from the first light exit surface 31b is reflected by the light axis AX of the light source 20 of the reflector 40 (main reflection surface 41). 20 The second light Ray2, which is incident far from the reflector 40 and is emitted from the first light output surface 31b, has a weaker relative intensity. The second light Ray2b is incident on the reflector 40 (main reflecting surface 41) far from the optical axis AX of the light source 20. 20 This is due to the radiation entering the vicinity from the

[0081] The effects of the vehicular lamp 10 of this embodiment will be further described in comparison with a vehicular lamp 10A of a comparative example.

[0082] Fig. 12(a) is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle lamp 10A of a comparative example, and Fig. 12(b) is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp 10.

[0083] As shown in Figure 12(a), in the comparative example vehicle lamp 10A, the light entrance portion 31A includes a central light entrance surface 31Aa1, a cylindrical peripheral light entrance surface 31Aa2 extending from the outer peripheral edge of the central light entrance surface 31Aa1 toward the light source 20, a cylindrical peripheral reflective surface 31Aa3 arranged outside the peripheral light entrance surface 31Aa2, a first light exit surface 31Ab, and a second total reflective surface 31Ad.

[0084] The central light entrance surface 31Aa1 is aligned with the optical axis AX 31A The central light entrance surface 31Aa1 is a convex lens surface (a convex lens surface convex toward the light source 20) that is rotationally symmetric with respect to the light source 20, and has a focal point set near the light source 20 (the center of the light emitting surface). The central light entrance surface 31Aa1 guides the light from the light source 20 that enters through the central light entrance surface 31Aa1 along the optical axis AX 31A It converts (collimates) the light into parallel light.

[0085] In addition, the optical axis AX of the light entrance portion 31A 31A and the optical axis AX of the light source 20 20 are consistent.

[0086] The peripheral reflecting surface 31Aa3 is aligned with the optical axis AX 31A The peripheral reflecting surface 31Aa3 is a total reflection surface having a parabolic shape that is rotationally symmetric with respect to the peripheral light incident surface 31Aa2. The peripheral reflecting surface 31Aa3 reflects the light from the light source 20, which is refracted and incident from the peripheral light incident surface 31Aa2 and totally reflected by the peripheral reflecting surface 31Aa3, along the optical axis AX 31A The surface shape is designed so that the light emitted from the lens is converted (collimated) into parallel light.

[0087] The second total reflection surface 31Ad is positioned at a tilted angle (e.g., 45 degrees) so as to totally reflect a second light Ray2 incident on the second total reflection surface 31Ad among the light from the light source 20 entering through the central light entrance surface 31Aa1 and the peripheral light entrance surfaces 31Aa2, toward the first light exit surface 31Ab.

[0088] The first light output surface 31Ab is a concave lens surface that is concave toward the light irradiation direction.

[0089] Except for the above points, the vehicle lamp 10A of the comparative example is similar to the vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment.

[0090] The comparative vehicle lamp 10A (light entrance portion 31A) having the above-mentioned configuration has the following problems.

[0091] First, since second total reflection surface 31Ad is a planar surface arranged at a tilted angle (e.g., 45 degrees), there is a problem that light from light source 20 entering through central light entrance surface 31Aa1 and peripheral light entrance surfaces 31Aa2 and incident at an angle exceeding the critical angle on second total reflection surface 31Ad leaks out from second total reflection surface 31Ad (see arrow AR3 in Figure 12(a)).

[0092] Secondly, there is a problem in that loss (light loss) occurs between the central light entrance surface 31Aa1 and the peripheral light entrance surface 31Aa2 (and the peripheral reflecting surface 31Aa3), deteriorating the appearance.

[0093] In contrast, in vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment, second total reflection surface 31d is not a flat surface, but a light-collecting total reflection surface that is curved convexly toward the side opposite to light source 20, thereby suppressing the first problem described above.

[0094] In the vehicle lamp 10 of this embodiment, the central light entrance surface 31Aa1 and the peripheral light entrance surface 31Aa2 (and the peripheral reflecting surface 31Aa3) are not curved convexly toward the light source 20, but are curved convexly toward the light source 20 along the optical axis AX of the light source 20. 20 Since the focusing lens surface is a rotationally symmetric focusing lens surface that is curved convexly toward the light source 20 side and is formed by rotating the focusing lens surface around the center, the second problem described above is suppressed.

[0095] Furthermore, in vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment, second total reflection surface 31d is not a flat surface arranged in a state of being inclined at a predetermined angle (for example, 45 degrees), but is a light-collecting total reflection surface curved convexly toward the side opposite light source 20. Therefore, compared to vehicle lamp 10A (light entrance portion 31A) of the comparative example, 20 This has the advantage that the thickness in the direction can be reduced (for example, the thickness can be reduced by the thickness T in FIG. 12(b)).

[0096] Next, a modified example will be described.

[0097] FIG. 11(a) is an example of a decorative opening, and FIG. 11(b) is a modified example of the decorative opening.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the design opening 71 is shaped as shown in Fig. 11(a), but is not limited thereto. For example, the design opening may be shaped as shown in Fig. 11(b). In other words, the design opening may be any shape as long as it is long and has a variable width when viewed from the front.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the vehicle lamp of the present invention is applied to a rear combination lamp, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a vehicle signal lamp other than a rear combination lamp (for example, a lid lamp provided on a movable part such as a trunk lid of a vehicle) or other vehicle lamps.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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]

[0102] 10...vehicle lamp, 20...light source, 30...rod-shaped light guide, 30A...rod-shaped light guide, 31...light entrance portion, 31a...light entrance surface, 31b...first light exit surface, 31c...first total reflection surface, 31c1...optical element, 31d...second total reflection surface, 31e...notch surface, 31f...third total reflection surface, 31g...third light exit surface, 32...rod-shaped light guide portion, 32a, 32b...second light exit surface, 32c...reflecting surface, 32d, 32e...side wall portion, 40...reflector, 41...main reflecting surface, 42...extended reflecting surface, 50...housing, 60...inner lens, 70...extension, 71...through hole (design opening), 80...outer lens, 81...transparent portion, 82...opaque portion, AX 20 ...Optical axis, F...Design point (focal point), L1~L3...Area, LC...Optical element, Ray1...First light, Ray2...Second light

Claims

1. The light source includes a light source, a rod-shaped light guide, and a reflector. The rod-shaped light guide includes a light entrance portion and a rod-shaped light guide portion, the rod-shaped light guiding portion extends from the light entrance portion in a three-dimensionally curved state on one side of the light entrance portion, the reflector is disposed on the other side of the light entrance portion, The light entrance portion includes a light entrance surface, a first light exit surface, a first total reflection surface, and a second total reflection surface, the light entrance surface is a condensing lens surface that condenses light from the light source that enters through the light entrance surface, the first total reflection surface includes at least one optical element that diffusely reflects a first light that is incident on the first total reflection surface out of the light from the light source that is incident on the light incident surface, the rod-shaped light guiding portion includes a second light output surface from which the first light, which is diffusely reflected by the optical element and guided within the rod-shaped light guiding portion to a tip portion of the rod-shaped light guiding portion, is output; the second total reflection surface is a light-collecting total reflection surface that collects a second light of the light from the light source that has entered through the light entrance surface and is incident on the second total reflection surface and totally reflects the second light toward the first light exit surface, the first light exit surface is a light exit surface from which the second light totally reflected by the second total reflection surface exits; the reflector includes a reflective surface on which the second light emitted from the first light output surface is incident and which reflects the incident second light, The reflector is a non-circular reflector having cross sections of different lengths, A vehicular lamp in which at least one of the shapes of the second total reflection surface and the first light exit surface is adjusted so that, in each cross section, the diffusion angle of the second light exiting from the first light exit surface corresponds to the length of the reflector.

2. A light source, a rod-shaped light guide, and a reflector, The rod-shaped light guide includes a light entrance portion and a rod-shaped light guide portion, the rod-shaped light guiding portion extends from the light entrance portion in a three-dimensionally curved state on one side of the light entrance portion, the reflector is disposed on the other side of the light entrance portion, The light entrance portion includes a light entrance surface, a first light exit surface, a first total reflection surface, and a second total reflection surface, the light entrance surface is a condensing lens surface that condenses light from the light source that enters through the light entrance surface, the first total reflection surface includes at least one optical element that diffusely reflects a first light that is incident on the first total reflection surface out of the light from the light source that is incident on the light incident surface, the rod-shaped light guiding portion includes a second light output surface from which the first light, which is diffusely reflected by the optical element and guided within the rod-shaped light guiding portion to a tip portion of the rod-shaped light guiding portion, is output; the second total reflection surface is a light-collecting total reflection surface that collects a second light of the light from the light source that has entered through the light entrance surface and is incident on the second total reflection surface and totally reflects the second light toward the first light exit surface, the first light exit surface is a light exit surface from which the second light totally reflected by the second total reflection surface exits; the reflector includes a reflective surface on which the second light emitted from the first light output surface is incident and which reflects the incident second light, The reflector is a non-circular reflector having cross sections of different lengths, In the vehicle lamp, the longer the length of the reflector is, the smaller the radius of curvature of the second total reflection surface is.

3. A light source, a rod-shaped light guide, and a reflector, The rod-shaped light guide includes a light entrance portion and a rod-shaped light guide portion, the rod-shaped light guiding portion extends from the light entrance portion in a three-dimensionally curved state on one side of the light entrance portion, the reflector is disposed on the other side of the light entrance portion, The light entrance portion includes a light entrance surface, a first light exit surface, a first total reflection surface, and a second total reflection surface, the light entrance surface is a condensing lens surface that condenses light from the light source that enters through the light entrance surface, the first total reflection surface includes at least one optical element that diffusely reflects a first light that is incident on the first total reflection surface out of the light from the light source that is incident on the light incident surface, the rod-shaped light guiding portion includes a second light output surface from which the first light, which is diffusely reflected by the optical element and guided within the rod-shaped light guiding portion to a tip portion of the rod-shaped light guiding portion, is output; the second total reflection surface is a light-collecting total reflection surface that collects a second light of the light from the light source that has entered through the light entrance surface and is incident on the second total reflection surface and totally reflects the second light toward the first light exit surface, the first light exit surface is a light exit surface from which the second light totally reflected by the second total reflection surface exits; the reflector includes a reflective surface on which the second light emitted from the first light output surface is incident and which reflects the incident second light, The reflector is a non-circular reflector having cross sections of different lengths, In the vehicle lamp, in each cross section, the shorter the length of the reflector, the smaller the inclination angle of the first light output surface with respect to the optical axis of the light source.

4. the light entrance surface is a condenser lens surface that is curved convexly toward the light source side, The second total reflection surface is a light-collecting total reflection surface curved convexly toward the side opposite to the light source, 4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein, in each cross section, a light having a stronger relative intensity among the second light emitted from the first light emitting surface is incident on the reflecting surface farther from the optical axis of the light source, and a light having a weaker relative intensity among the second light emitted from the first light emitting surface is incident on the reflecting surface closer to the optical axis of the light source.

5. 5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein a width of the reflector varies with distance from the optical axis of the light source.

6. the reflecting surface is a parabolic reflecting surface having a focal point set in the vicinity of the first light output surface, 6. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the second total reflection surface has a surface shape designed so that the second light, which is totally reflected by the second total reflection surface and exits from the first light exit surface, is focused at the focal point.

7. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 , wherein the light source, the rod-shaped light guide, and the reflector are disposed within a design opening that is long and has a variable width when viewed from the front.

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