Vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting fixture in which emission light emitted from a lamp lens to the outside can satisfy vehicular regulations.SOLUTION: A vehicular lighting fixture is equipped with a lamp housing 2 and a lamp lens 3 forming a lamp chamber 23, and an excitation light irradiation unit 4 and a light conversion unit 5 disposed in the lamp chamber 23. The lamp lens 3 is configured from a red lens. Consequently, since most of emission light emitted from the lamp lens 3 to the outside is secondary light L2, the vehicular lighting fixture can satisfy vehicular regulations.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Patent Document 1 discloses, for example, a vehicle lamp that utilizes secondary light (luminescence, photoluminescence) emitted by excitation light irradiated from an excitation light source.

[0003] The vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 includes an excitation light source that irradiates excitation light, a light-emitting layer that emits secondary light (red light) in response to the excitation light (blue light) irradiated from the excitation light source, a holding member that holds the light-emitting layer, and a lamp lens (lens member) through which the secondary light is emitted to the outside.

[0004] The vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 obtains surface emission by secondary light emitted from the light-emitting layer. Moreover, since the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 uses a light-emitting layer that does not require electrical energy as a surface emission light source, the reliability of the surface emission light source is improved compared to an organic light-emitting diode that requires electrical energy as a surface emission light source. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 245030 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In such vehicle lighting devices, it is important that the light (mainly secondary light) emitted from the lamp lens to the outside satisfies vehicle regulations.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp capable of producing light emitted from a lamp lens to the outside in compliance with vehicle regulations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The vehicle lamp of the present invention comprises a lamp housing and a lamp lens which form a lamp chamber, and an excitation light irradiation unit and a light conversion unit which are arranged within the lamp chamber, wherein the excitation light irradiation unit has an excitation light source which emits excitation light, and an excitation light final irradiation surface which finally irradiates the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source onto the light conversion unit, and the light conversion unit has a luminescent film which emits secondary light by the excitation light irradiated from the excitation light final irradiation surface, a reflective film which reflects the secondary light emitted from the luminescent film towards the luminescent film, and a secondary light emission surface which emits the secondary light towards the lamp lens, wherein the excitation light has a dominant wavelength shorter than 500 nm, the secondary light has a dominant wavelength longer than 500 nm, and the lamp lens is composed of a red lens.

[0009] In the vehicular lamp of the present invention, it is preferable that the lamp lens is composed of a red lens having a transmittance of excitation light of 10% or less in the wavelength region of the excitation light, and a transmittance of secondary light of 80% or more in the wavelength region of the secondary light.

[0010] In the vehicle lamp of the present invention, it is preferable that the lamp lens is composed of a red lens having a transmittance of 10% or less for excitation light with a wavelength of 500 nm and a transmittance of 80% or more for secondary light with a wavelength of 650 nm.

[0011] In the vehicle lamp of the present invention, it is preferable that the reflective film is made of a reflective material having a reflectance of 20% or more in the wavelength region of visible light.

[0012] In the vehicle lamp of the present invention, it is preferable that the final excitation light irradiation surface is disposed on the lamp lens side with respect to the secondary light emission surface.

[0013] In the vehicle lamp of the present invention, it is preferable that the excitation light source is arranged on the opposite side of the lamp lens from the secondary light emission surface, an optical component is arranged on the lamp lens side from the secondary light emission surface, and the optical component is provided with an excitation light final irradiation surface.

[0014] In the vehicle lamp of the present invention, it is preferable that the excitation light source is arranged on the opposite side of the lamp lens with respect to the secondary light emission surface, an optical component is arranged between the lamp lens side with respect to the secondary light emission surface and the excitation light source, and the optical component is provided with an excitation light final irradiation surface. Effect of the Invention

[0015] The vehicle lamp of the present invention allows the light emitted from the lamp lens to the outside to satisfy vehicle regulations. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of a vehicle lamp according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged schematic vertical sectional view showing the light conversion unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged explanatory diagram showing the optical path of the excitation light and the optical path of the secondary light in the optical conversion unit. [Figure 4] 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the dominant wavelengths of white light, yellow-orange light (amber light), and red light, in which the vertical axis indicates relative luminous intensity (au) and the horizontal axis indicates wavelength (nm). [Diagram 5] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the reflectance of different reflective film materials, where the vertical axis indicates the reflectance (%) and the horizontal axis indicates the wavelength (nm). [Figure 6] 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the spectral transmittance of a lamp lens (red lens), where the vertical axis represents the transmittance (%) and the horizontal axis represents the wavelength (nm). [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of a vehicle lamp according to the present invention. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of a vehicle lamp according to the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view of a vehicle lamp in a non-lighted state, showing a fourth embodiment of the vehicle lamp according to the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view of the vehicle lamp showing a state in which the light-emitting panel is emitting light when the lamp is turned on. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp showing the main components (a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 9 and a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 10). [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a part of a light emitting device of a vehicle lamp. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing a light emitting device of a vehicle lamp. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the light-emitting design of a light-emitting panel, which shows different light-emitting patterns in the same light-emitting shape. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing different light emitting patterns and different light emitting shapes as light emitting designs of light emitting panels arranged within a predetermined light distribution. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 11) showing a modified example of an excitation light control member of a light emitting device of a vehicle lamp. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 11 and FIG. 16) showing a modified example of the excitation light control member of the light emitting device of the vehicle lamp. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIGS. 11, 16, and 17) showing a modified example of the light converting unit of the light emitting device of the vehicle lamp. [Figure 19] Fig. 19 shows a modified example of a light emitting panel of a light emitting device of a vehicle lamp. Fig. 19(A) is a partially enlarged schematic vertical sectional view showing the light emitting panel. Fig. 19(B) is a partially enlarged explanatory view showing the optical path of excitation light and the optical path of secondary light in the light emitting panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Four examples of the embodiment (example) of the vehicle lamp according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In this specification, front, rear, top, bottom, left, and right refer to the front, rear, top, bottom, left, and right when the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is installed on a vehicle. In Figs. 11 to 13 and Figs. 16 to 18, the symbols "F" and "B" refer to the front, "B" and "U" respectively, "upper", "lower", "lower", "L" and "left", and "R" respectively. Here, the front side refers to the rear side of the vehicle, and the back side refers to the front side of the vehicle. Note that the drawings are schematic diagrams, so main parts are shown, and parts other than the main parts are omitted. Also, hatching of some parts is omitted.

[0018] (Description of the configuration of the first embodiment) 1 to 6 show a first embodiment of a vehicle lamp according to the present invention. The configuration of the vehicle lamp according to the first embodiment will be described below.

[0019] (Description of vehicle lighting fixture 1) In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a vehicle lamp according to the first embodiment. In this example, the vehicle lamp 1 is a tail lamp constituting a rear combination lamp. The vehicle lamp 1 may be a stop lamp, a tail stop lamp, or a turn signal lamp, in addition to a tail lamp. The vehicle lamp 1 is attached to each of the left and right sides of the rear of a vehicle (not shown).

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lamp 1 includes a lamp housing 2, a lamp lens 3, an excitation light irradiation unit 4, and a light conversion unit 5.

[0021] (Explanation of lamp housing 2) The lamp housing 2 is made of a non-light-transmitting material (such as a resin material). In this example, the lamp housing 2 is black. Note that it is sufficient that the inner surface of the lamp housing 2 (the surface facing the lamp chamber 23) is black. The lamp housing 2 may be a color other than black.

[0022] (Explanation of Lamp Lens 3) The lamp lens 3 is made of a light-transmitting resin material such as PMMA or PC. The lamp lens 3 is a plain outer cover, outer lens, etc. The lamp lens 3 is attached to the lamp housing 2. As a result, the lamp housing 2 and the lamp lens 3 form a lamp chamber 23 as shown in FIG.

[0023] (Explanation of excitation light irradiation unit 4) 1, the excitation light irradiation unit 4 is disposed in the lamp chamber 23. The excitation light irradiation unit 4 has an excitation light source 40 and an excitation light final irradiation surface 41.

[0024] The excitation light source 40 is one or more blue LEDs, and uses a blue LED with a dominant wavelength of 450 nm. Note that, as the excitation light source 40, a light source other than a blue LED, for example, an LD (semiconductor laser) or the like may be used.

[0025] The excitation light source 40 emits excitation light L1 (see the solid arrows in Figs. 1 and 3). The excitation light L1 emitted from the blue LED excitation light source 40 is blue light with a dominant wavelength of 450 nm. Note that the excitation light L1 may be violet or ultraviolet light with a wavelength shorter than that of blue light.

[0026] Here, the white light W shown in FIG. 4 (see the dashed curve in FIG. 4) is obtained by combining a blue LED excitation light source 40 and a yellow phosphor. That is, the white light W is obtained by mixing the blue light emitted from the blue LED excitation light source 40 and the yellow light excited by the blue light and emitted from the yellow phosphor. The dominant wavelength of this white light W is 450 nm. The dominant wavelength of the blue light excitation light L1 emitted from the blue LED excitation light source 40 is almost the same as the dominant wavelength of the white light W, 450 nm. Thus, the dominant wavelength of the blue light excitation light L1 emitted from the blue LED excitation light source 40 is shorter than 500 nm.

[0027] The excitation light final irradiation surface 41 is provided on a surface of the excitation light source 40 facing a secondary light exit surface 52 of the light conversion unit 5 described below. The excitation light final irradiation surface 41 finally irradiates the excitation light L1 emitted from the excitation light source 40 to the light conversion unit 5.

[0028] (Explanation of light conversion unit 5) The light conversion unit 5 is disposed in the lamp chamber 23, as shown in Fig. 1. The light conversion unit 5 has a substrate (support substrate) 50, a light emitting film (light emitting layer) 51, a secondary light emission surface 52, a reflection film (reflection layer) 53, a reflection surface 54, and sealing materials 55 and 56, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

[0029] The substrate 50 is made of a light-transmitting resin material such as PMMA or PC, or a light-transmitting glass, which transmits the excitation light L1 and the secondary light L2 described below. The substrate 50 may be flexible or rigid. The substrate 50 has a rectangular, square, or free-form plate shape.

[0030] The luminescent film 51 is formed (deposited) on one surface of the substrate 50 (the surface opposite to the surface facing the lamp lens 3). The luminescent film 51 uses an organic material with a dominant wavelength of 630 nm. The material of the luminescent film 51 may be at least one of an organic fluorescent material, an organic phosphorescent material, and an inorganic fluorescent material. The luminescent film 51 emits secondary light (see the dashed arrows in Figures 1 and 3) in all directions (see the circle in Figure 3) by the excitation light L1 irradiated from the final excitation light irradiation surface 41 of the excitation light irradiation unit 4.

[0031] The secondary light L2 is yellow-orange light A shown by the dashed-dotted curve in FIG. 4, or red light R shown by the solid-line curve in FIG. 4. The dominant wavelength of the yellow-orange light A is 590 nm, which is longer than 500 nm. The dominant wavelength of the red light R is 650 nm, which is longer than 500 nm. Thus, the dominant wavelength of the secondary light L2 is longer than 500 nm and longer than the dominant wavelength of the excitation light L1, 450 nm. Note that the secondary light L2 in this example is red light R for a tail lamp. The red light R is used for stop lamps and tail / stop lamps in addition to tail lamps. Also, the yellow-orange light A is used for turn signal lamps.

[0032] The luminescent film 51 has a secondary light emission surface 52. The secondary light emission surface 52 is provided on the surface of the luminescent film 51 facing the substrate 50 (the surface facing the lamp lens 3). The secondary light emission surface 52 emits secondary light L2 toward the lamp lens 3. The secondary light emission surface 52 has a rectangular, square, or free-form planar shape that is slightly smaller than the substrate 50. The emission direction D of the secondary light L2 emitted from the secondary light emission surface 52 toward the lamp lens 3 (see the dashed arrow of the secondary light L2 in FIG. 1) is perpendicular to the secondary light emission surface 52.

[0033] As a result, the vehicle lamp 1 can obtain rectangular, square or free-form surface emission by the secondary light L2 emitted from the rectangular secondary light emission surface 52. The total light emission area of ​​the secondary light emission surface 52 is 10 mm 2 This makes it possible to satisfy vehicle regulations regarding brightness.

[0034] The reflective film 53 is formed (deposited) on one surface of the substrate 50 so as to cover the light emitting film 51. The reflective film 53 is made of a reflective material having a reflectance of 20% or more in the wavelength region of visible light, such as a metal material such as aluminum, silver, other metals, or alloys thereof.

[0035] The metal material of the reflective film 53 has the reflectance shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, the reflectance of tungsten (W), which has low reflectance, at 400 nm, the lower limit of the visible light wavelength range, is 28% or more. As a result, even though the metal material of the reflective film 53 is tungsten (W), the reflectance in the visible light wavelength range is 20% or more. As a result, even if variations in reflectance occur due to manufacturing tolerances, the reflective film 53 can absorb these variations.

[0036] The reflective film 53 has a reflective surface 54. The reflective surface 54 is provided on a surface of the reflective film 53 facing the substrate 50 and the light emitting film 51 (the surface facing the lamp lens 3). The reflective surface 54 reflects the secondary light L2 emitted from the light emitting film 51 toward the light emitting film 51.

[0037] The sealing materials 55 and 56 seal the light emitting film 51 and the reflective film 53 together with the substrate 50. The sealing materials 55 and 56 are composed of a silicone resin, a SiN film or the like 55, and an aluminum wheel 56. Note that the sealing materials 55 and 56 are not limited to this example.

[0038] (Description of the arrangement of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the light conversion unit 5) The excitation light irradiation unit 4 and the light conversion unit 5 are both disposed within the lamp chamber 23. The excitation light source 40 is disposed on the lamp lens 3 side with respect to the light conversion unit 5.

[0039] As a result, the excitation light final irradiation surface 41 of the excitation light source 40 is disposed on the lamp lens 3 side with respect to the secondary light emission surface 52 of the light conversion unit 5. The excitation light final irradiation surface 41 is within a range (up, down, left, right) of an arrangement angle θ1 (about 15° in this example) of less than 90° with respect to a normal N drawn from the secondary light emission surface 52 in the emission direction D of the secondary light L2. That is, the excitation light final irradiation surface 41 and the secondary light emission surface 52 face each other.

[0040] (Explanation of red lens lamp lens 3) The lamp lens 3 is made up of a red lens. The lamp lens 3 made up of a red lens has the characteristics of the spectral transmittance curve shown in FIG.

[0041] In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis indicates the wavelength of light (unit: nm), and the vertical axis indicates the transmittance of light (unit: %). In FIG. 6, the lamp lens 3 having the spectral transmittance curve characteristics shown by the dashed line has a thickness of 2 mm. Moreover, the lamp lens 3 having the spectral transmittance curve characteristics shown by the solid line has a thickness of 3.2 mm. Furthermore, the red density of the lamp lens 3 shown by the dashed line is equivalent to the red density of the lamp lens 3 shown by the solid line. If the thickness or red density of the lamp lens 3 is different, the characteristic curve will also be different. In FIG. 6, the parts where the dashed line and the solid line overlap are shown by the solid line.

[0042] The thicknesses of the lamp lens 3, 2 mm and 3.2 mm, are typical thicknesses of lamp lenses in vehicle lamps 1. The red color density of the lamp lens 3 is also typical red color density of lamp lenses in vehicle lamps 1. The thickness and red color density of the lamp lens 3 are not particularly limited.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 6, the lamp lens 3 has a transmittance of nearly 0% for light with a wavelength of 550 nm or less, so it transmits very little light with a wavelength of 550 nm or less. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 6, the lamp lens 3 has a transmittance of nearly 90% for light with a wavelength of 650 nm or more, so it transmits most of the light with a wavelength of 650 nm or more.

[0044] Here, we will explain the case where a variation of 10% occurs in the transmittance of the lamp lens 3 due to manufacturing tolerances. In this case, the transmittance of the excitation light L1 at a wavelength of 500 nm is 10% (see the small black circle above the wavelength of 500 nm in FIG. 6), and the transmittance of the secondary light L2 at a wavelength of 650 nm is 80% (see the small black circle above the wavelength of 650 nm in FIG. 6).

[0045] The lamp lens 3, which is made of a red lens, has a transmittance of nearly 0% for light with a wavelength of 550 nm or less and a transmittance of nearly 90% for light with a wavelength of 650 nm or more, so it can absorb variations in transmittance that occur due to manufacturing tolerances.

[0046] As a result, the lamp lens 3 may be composed of a red lens having a transmittance of 10% or less for the excitation light L1 in the wavelength region of the excitation light L1 whose dominant wavelength is shorter than 500 nm, and a transmittance of 80% or more for the secondary light L2 in the wavelength region of the secondary light L2 whose dominant wavelength is longer than 500 nm.

[0047] As described above, the lamp lens 3 absorbs the excitation light L1 whose main wavelength is shorter than 500 nm and transmits the secondary light L2 whose main wavelength is longer than 500 nm. As a result, the lamp lens 3 does not absorb the excitation light L1 whose main wavelength is shorter than 500 nm, such as blue light, and does not emit it from the lamp chamber 23 to the outside, while it transmits the secondary light L2 whose main wavelength is longer than 500 nm, such as red light R, and emits it from the lamp chamber 23 to the outside.

[0048] (Description of Function of First Embodiment) The vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment is configured as described above, and its operation will be described below.

[0049] First, the excitation light source 40 of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 is turned on. Then, excitation light L1 is emitted from the excitation light source 40. The excitation light L1 is irradiated from the excitation light final irradiation surface 41 of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 toward the light conversion unit 5. The excitation light L1 is transmitted through the substrate 50 of the light conversion unit 5 and irradiated to the light emitting film 51.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, the light emitting film 51 emits secondary light L2 in all directions in response to excitation light L1.

[0051] A portion of the secondary light L2 passes through the light-emitting film 51 and is reflected by the reflecting surface 54 toward the light-emitting film 51. The reflected secondary light L2 passes through the light-emitting film 51 again and is emitted from the secondary light exit surface 52 toward the lamp lens 3. The remainder of the secondary light L2 is not reflected by the reflecting surface 54, and is emitted from the secondary light exit surface 52 toward the lamp lens 3.

[0052] The excitation light L1 that passes through the luminescent film 51 and reaches the reflective surface 54 is reflected by the reflective surface 54 toward the luminescent film 51, and excites secondary light L2 in the luminescent film 51. The secondary light L2 excited by the excitation light L1 is emitted from the luminescent film 51, and is emitted from the secondary light emission surface 52 toward the lamp lens 3.

[0053] The secondary light L2 (red light R) emitted from the secondary light emission surface 52 toward the lamp lens 3 transmits through the substrate 50, passes through the lamp chamber 23, and transmits through the lamp lens 3 to be irradiated to the outside of the vehicle lamp 1 in a predetermined tail lamp light distribution pattern. At this time, the vehicle lamp 1 can obtain rectangular, square, or free-form surface emission.

[0054] (Explanation of Effects of the First Embodiment) The vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment has the above-mentioned configuration and functions, and the effects thereof will be described below.

[0055] In the vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment, the excitation light L1 emitted from the excitation light source 40 is blue light having a dominant wavelength shorter than 500 nm, the secondary light L2 emitted from the luminescent film 51 is red light R having a dominant wavelength longer than 500 nm, and the lamp lens 3 is composed of a red lens. As a result, in the vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment, the excitation light L1 of blue light is absorbed in the lamp lens 3 and is not emitted from the lamp chamber 23 to the outside, and the secondary light L2 of red light R is transmitted through the lamp lens 3 and emitted from the lamp chamber 23 to the outside. As a result, the vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment can satisfy vehicle regulations because most of the emitted light emitted from the lamp lens 3 to the outside is the red light R of the secondary light L2.

[0056] In the vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment, the lamp lens 3 is configured with a red lens having a transmittance of 10% or less for the excitation light L1 in a wavelength region of the blue excitation light L1 having a dominant wavelength shorter than 500 nm, and a transmittance of 80% or more for the secondary light L2 in a wavelength region of the red secondary light L2 having a dominant wavelength longer than 500 nm. As a result, in the vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment, most of the blue excitation light L1 is absorbed by the lamp lens 3 having a red lens, while most of the secondary light L2 of the red secondary light R is emitted to the outside from the lamp lens 3 having a red lens. As a result, the vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment can satisfy vehicle regulations since most of the emitted light emitted to the outside from the lamp lens 3 is the red secondary light R.

[0057] In the vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment, the lamp lens 3 is composed of a red lens having a transmittance of 10% or less for blue excitation light L1 at a wavelength of 500 nm and a transmittance of 80% or more for secondary light L2 of red light R at a wavelength of 650 nm. As a result, even if the transmittance of the red lens lamp lens 3 varies due to manufacturing tolerances, the vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment can absorb this variation, so that the red lens lamp lens 3 can block the emission of blue excitation light L1 to the outside and does not prevent the emission of secondary light L2 of red light R to the outside. As a result, the vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment can satisfy vehicle regulations because most of the light emitted from the lamp lens 3 to the outside is red light R of secondary light.

[0058] In the vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment, the reflective film 53 is made of a reflective material having a reflectance of 20% or more in the wavelength region of visible light. As a result, even if the reflectance of the reflective film 53 varies due to manufacturing tolerances, the vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment can absorb the variation, and the secondary light L2 and the excitation light L1 can be efficiently reflected toward the light emitting film 51 without variation on the reflective surface 54. As a result, the vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment can increase the amount of secondary light L2 of red light R emitted to the outside without variation, and can satisfy vehicle regulations.

[0059] In the vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment, the excitation light final irradiation surface 41 is disposed on the lamp lens 3 side with respect to the secondary light emission surface 52. The vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment can efficiently emit the excitation light L1 emitted from the excitation light source 40 from the excitation light final irradiation surface 41 to the light conversion unit 5. As a result, the vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment can satisfy vehicle regulations since the secondary light L2 is efficiently excited by the excitation light L1 efficiently emitted to the light conversion unit 5 and is emitted to the outside from the lamp lens 3.

[0060] (Description of the configuration, operation, and effect of the second embodiment) 7 shows a vehicle lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration, operation, and effects of a vehicle lamp 1A according to the second embodiment will be described. In the drawing, the same reference numerals as those in Figs. 1 to 6 denote the same parts.

[0061] A vehicular lamp 1A according to the second embodiment is a modified example 4A of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 of the vehicular lamp 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0062] That is, the excitation light source 40 of the excitation light irradiation unit 4A is disposed on the opposite side of the lamp lens 3 with respect to the secondary light emission surface 52 of the light conversion unit 5. The excitation light source 40 is disposed at an arrangement angle θ2 (110° in this example) of 90° or more with respect to a normal line N drawn from the secondary light emission surface 52 in the emission direction D. An excitation light emission surface 42 is provided on the surface of the excitation light source 40 facing the lamp lens 3.

[0063] A reflector 43 is disposed on the lamp lens 3 side with respect to the secondary light exit surface 52 as an optical component. The reflector 43 is provided with an excitation light final irradiation surface 41 which is a reflective surface. The excitation light final irradiation surface 41 which is the reflective surface of the reflector 43 faces the excitation light exit surface 42 and the light conversion unit 5, respectively. That is, the excitation light final irradiation surface 41 which is the reflective surface of the reflector 43 is disposed on the lamp lens 3 side with respect to the secondary light exit surface 52, and is disposed at an angle θ1 of less than 90° with respect to a normal N drawn from the secondary light exit surface 52 in the exit direction D.

[0064] When the excitation light source 40 is turned on, the excitation light L1 is emitted from the excitation light emission surface 42 to the reflector 43, reflected by the excitation light final irradiation surface 41 of the reflector 43, and finally irradiated from the excitation light final irradiation surface 41 to the light conversion unit 5.

[0065] The vehicular lamp 1A according to the second embodiment has the above-mentioned configuration and action, and therefore can achieve the same effects as those of the vehicular lamp 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0066] (Description of the configuration, operation, and effect of the third embodiment) 8 shows a vehicle lamp according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration, operation, and effects of a vehicle lamp 1B according to the third embodiment will be described. In the drawing, the same reference numerals as those in Figs. 1 to 7 denote the same parts.

[0067] The vehicular lamp 1B according to the third embodiment is a modified example 4B of the excitation light irradiation unit 4 of the vehicular lamp 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0068] That is, the excitation light source 40 of the excitation light irradiation unit 4B is disposed on the opposite side of the lamp lens 3 with respect to the secondary light emission surface 52 of the light conversion unit 5. The excitation light source 40 is disposed at an arrangement angle θ2 (110° in this example) of 90° or more with respect to a normal line N drawn from the secondary light emission surface 52 in the emission direction D. An excitation light emission surface 42 is provided on the surface of the excitation light source 40 facing the lamp lens 3.

[0069] A light guide 44 is disposed between the lamp lens 3 side and the excitation light source 40 with respect to the secondary light emission surface 52 as an optical component. An incident surface 45 and an excitation light final irradiation surface 41, which is an emission surface, are provided on both end surfaces of the light guide 44. The light guide 44 is bent from the incident surface 45 side to the excitation light final irradiation surface 41 side, which is an emission surface. The incident surface 45 of the light guide 44 faces the excitation light emission surface 42. The excitation light final irradiation surface 41, which is the emission surface of the light guide 44, faces the light conversion unit 5. That is, the excitation light final irradiation surface 41, which is the emission surface of the light guide 44, is disposed on the lamp lens 3 side with respect to the secondary light emission surface 52, and is disposed at an arrangement angle θ1 of less than 90° with respect to a normal N drawn from the secondary light emission surface 52 in the emission direction D.

[0070] When the excitation light source 40 is turned on, the excitation light L1 is emitted from the excitation light emission surface 42, enters the light guide 44 from the entrance surface 45 of the light guide 44, is guided through the light guide 44, and is finally irradiated to the light conversion unit 5 from the exit surface of the light guide 44, which is the final excitation light irradiation surface 41.

[0071] The vehicular lamp 1B according to the third embodiment has the above-mentioned configuration and action, and therefore can achieve the same effects as the vehicular lamps 1 and 1A according to the first and second embodiments.

[0072] (Description of the configuration of the fourth embodiment) 9 to 15 show a fourth embodiment of the vehicular lamp according to the present invention. The configuration of the vehicular lamp according to the fourth embodiment will be described below.

[0073] (Description of vehicle lighting fixture 1E) 9 to 11, reference numeral 1E denotes a vehicle lamp according to this embodiment 4. In this example, the vehicle lamp 1E is, as described above, a tail lamp constituting a rear combination lamp.

[0074] The vehicle lamp 1E is attached to the left and right sides of the rear of a vehicle (not shown). The light distribution of the tail lamp of the vehicle lamp 1E has a light distribution range (illumination range) at a predetermined angle in the left-right and up-down directions with respect to a reference axis Z (see Figs. 11 to 13). The reference axis Z is parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle (front-rear direction of the vehicle).

[0075] The vehicle lamp 1E includes a lamp housing 2, an inner panel (inner housing) 20, a lamp lens 3, and a light emitting device 10 of the vehicle lamp according to the fourth embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as "light emitting device 10").

[0076] (Explanation of lamp housing 2) As described above, the lamp housing 2 is made of a non-light-transmitting material (such as a resin material). In this example, the lamp housing 2 is black. Note that it is sufficient that the inner surface of the lamp housing 2 (the surface facing the lamp chamber 23) is black. The lamp housing 2 may be a color other than black.

[0077] (Explanation of Lamp Lens 3) As described above, the lamp lens 3 is made of a light-transmitting resin material such as PMMA or PC. The lamp lens 3 is a plain outer cover, outer lens, etc. In this example, the lamp lens 3 is made of a red lens. Note that the lamp lens 3 may be made of a colorless lens other than a red lens, or a yellow-orange lens. The lamp lens 3 is attached to the lamp housing 2. As a result, the lamp housing 2 and the lamp lens 3 form a lamp chamber 23 as shown in Figs. 9 to 11.

[0078] (Explanation of inner panel 20) The inner panel 20 is disposed along the lamp lens 3 in a portion from the center to the lower side of the lamp chamber 23. The inner panel 20 is also disposed between the lamp lens 3 and an excitation light irradiation unit 4E (described later) of the light emitting device 10. The inner panel 20 is attached to the lamp housing 2 via an attachment member (not shown).

[0079] The inner panel 20 is made of a light-impermeable material (such as a resin material). In this example, the inner panel 20 is black, similar to the lamp housing 2. Note that it is sufficient that the surfaces of the inner panel 20, that is, the outer surface (the surface facing the lamp lens 3) and the inner surface (the surface facing the lamp chamber 23), are black. The inner panel 20 may be a color other than black, or at least one of the outer surface or the inner surface may be a color other than black or may be metal-deposited.

[0080] (Description of Light Emitting Device 10) As shown in Fig. 13, in this example, three sets of light-emitting devices 10 are arranged on the left and right sides within the lamp chamber 23. As shown in Figs. 11 to 13, each of the three sets of light-emitting devices 10 includes an excitation light irradiation unit 4E and a light conversion unit 5E.

[0081] (Explanation of Excitation Light Irradiation Unit 4E) 11, in this example, the excitation light irradiation unit 4E is disposed in a portion from the center to the lower side in the lamp chamber 23. The excitation light irradiation unit 4E is attached to the lamp housing 2 via an attachment member (not shown). As described above, the inner panel 20 is disposed between the excitation light irradiation unit 4E and the lamp lens 3.

[0082] As shown in Figs. 11 to 13, the excitation light irradiation unit 4E has an excitation light source 40E, a reflector member 41E as an excitation light control member, and a bracket 42E. The excitation light source 40E and the reflector member 41E are attached to the bracket 42E. The excitation light source 40E is disposed on the lamp lens 3 side. The reflector member 41E is disposed on the lamp housing 2 side. The bracket 42E is disposed between the excitation light source 40E and the reflector member 41E. The bracket 42E is attached to the lamp housing 2 side via an attachment member (not shown). As a result, the excitation light irradiation unit 4E is attached to the lamp housing 2 side.

[0083] (Explanation of the excitation light source 40E) 11 to 13, the excitation light source 40E has one substrate 400 and left and right light emitting elements 401L and 401R. The substrate 400 is attached to a bracket 42E via an attachment boss portion 420.

[0084] The light emitting elements 401L, 401R are mounted on the rear surface of the substrate 400, at two locations on the left and right sides of the surface facing the lamp housing 2. In this example, the light emitting elements 401L, 401R are blue LEDs, and blue LEDs with a dominant wavelength of 450 nm are used. The left and right light emitting elements 401L, 401R are composed of one or more blue LEDs. Note that the light emitting elements 401L, 401R may be elements other than blue LEDs, such as LDs (semiconductor lasers).

[0085] The excitation light source 40E emits excitation light L1 (see solid arrow in FIG. 11) from the light emitting elements 401L and 401R. The excitation light L1 emitted from the blue LED light emitting elements 401L and 401R is blue light with a dominant wavelength of 450 nm. Note that the excitation light L1 may be violet or ultraviolet light with a wavelength shorter than that of blue light.

[0086] (Explanation of reflector member 41E) 11 to 13, left and right reflective surfaces 410L, 410R are formed on the front surface of the reflector member 41E, which faces the lamp lens 3. The left and right reflective surfaces 410L, 410R face the left and right light emitting elements 401L, 401R.

[0087] The left and right reflecting surfaces 410L, 410R each have a plurality of segments divided vertically and horizontally. In a longitudinal section (vertical section, cross section in the up-down direction), the plurality of segments of the left and right reflecting surfaces 410L, 410R are arranged on a parabola with the left and right light emitting elements 401L, 401R as their focal points, and in a transverse section (horizontal section, cross section in the left-right direction), the plurality of segments are arranged on a convex curved line that protrudes toward the lamp lens 3 (rear side) at the center and descends toward the lamp housing 2 (front side) on both the left and right sides.

[0088] The multiple segments of the left and right reflecting surfaces 410L and 410R reflect the excitation light L1 emitted from the left and right light emitting elements 401L and 401R in a predetermined direction as excitation reflected light L10 (see the solid arrow in FIG. 11). As a result, the excitation reflected light L10 is controlled to a predetermined light distribution DL and irradiated toward the light conversion unit 5E.

[0089] As shown in the substantially rectangular shape in FIG. 15, the predetermined light distribution DL has a light distribution range (irradiation range of the excitation reflected light L10) that includes at least the light emitting film 51 of the light conversion unit 5E in the light emitting panel 50E described later. The predetermined light distribution DL has uniform luminous intensity (illuminance) in the light distribution range. The predetermined light distribution DL may have a difference in luminous intensity (illuminance) in the light distribution range. In other words, the intensity of light in the light emitting range may change continuously.

[0090] (Explanation of bracket 42E) 11 to 13, the bracket 42E is disposed between the excitation light source 40E and the reflector member 41E. The bracket 42E has a left front plate portion 420L, a right front plate portion 420R, a left side plate portion 421L, a right side plate portion 421R, and a middle side plate portion 421C.

[0091] The left front plate portion 420L faces the left reflecting surface 410L. The right front plate portion 420R faces the right reflecting surface 410R and the substrate 400 of the excitation light source 40E. The substrate 400 is attached to the right front plate portion 420R via the attachment boss portion 420 as described above.

[0092] The left side plate portion 421L is bent from the left side of the left front plate portion 420L and is connected to the left side of the left reflecting surface 410L. The right side plate portion 421R is bent from the right side of the right front plate portion 420R and is connected to the right side of the right reflecting surface 410R. The middle side plate portion 421C is bent from the right side of the left front plate portion 420L and is also bent from the left side of the right front plate portion 420R. As a result, the left front plate portion 420L and the right front plate portion 420R are arranged alternately in the front-rear direction via the middle side plate portion 421C.

[0093] A left window 422L and a right window 422R are provided at the center of the lower edge of the left front plate 420L and the center of the lower edge of the right front plate 420R. As a result, the excitation light L1 emitted from the left and right light emitting elements 401L and 401R passes through the left window 422L and the right window 422R and is incident on the left and right reflecting surfaces 410L and 410R.

[0094] (Explanation of the light conversion unit 5E) 10 to 13, the light conversion unit 5E has a light emitting panel 50E and a stay 51E as a placement member. In this example, the light conversion unit 5E is placed in a portion from the center to the upper side in the lamp chamber 23, that is, above the excitation light irradiation unit 4E.

[0095] (Explanation of the light-emitting panel 50E) The light-emitting panel 50E emits secondary light L2 (see solid arrow in Fig. 11) by the excitation reflected light L10 irradiated from the reflector member 41E, and in this example, emits light from the entire surface as shown in the diagonal grid hatched portion in Fig. 10. The light-emitting panel 50E is similar to the light conversion unit 5 of the first embodiment, and has a substrate (support substrate) 50, a light-emitting film (light-emitting layer) 51, a secondary light emission surface 52, a reflection film (reflection layer) 53, a reflection surface 54, and sealing materials 55 and 56 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0096] The substrate 50 is as described above, and transmits the reflected excitation light L10 and the secondary light L2 described below. The substrate 50 has a plate shape as shown in Fig. 10 to Fig. 13. The substrate 50 may have a rectangular, square or any other plate shape other than the plate shapes shown in Fig. 10 to Fig. 13. In this example, glass is used as the substrate 50.

[0097] The luminescent film 51 is as described above, and emits secondary light L2 (see dashed arrows in FIG. 11) in all directions by the excitation reflected light L10 irradiated from the reflector member 41E of the excitation light irradiation unit 4E. As a result, in this example, the luminescent film 51 emits light from the entire surface, as shown in the diagonal lattice hatched portion in FIG. 10. Here, the intensity of the secondary light L2 can be adjusted by the film thickness of the luminescent film 51. That is, by increasing the film thickness of the luminescent film 51, the secondary light L2 can be adjusted to be strong, and conversely, by decreasing the film thickness of the luminescent film 51, the secondary light L2 can be adjusted to be weak.

[0098] The luminescent film 51 is formed in an arbitrary design, in this example, a shape slightly smaller than the shape of the substrate 50, as shown in Figures 10 to 13. As a result, the luminescent film 51 forms a luminescent surface in an arbitrary design, as shown in the diagonal lattice hatched portion in Figure 10. The secondary light L2 is as described above, and in this example, is red light.

[0099] (Explanation of the luminous design of the luminous panel 50E) The light-emitting design of light-emitting panel 50E can be changed as desired by changing the design of light-emitting film 51 (pattern, shape, graphics, outline, etc.).

[0100] For example, the light-emitting panel 50E can form different light-emitting patterns in the same light-emitting shape, as shown in Figures 10 to 13 and Figures 14(A), (B), (C), and (D). Figure 14(A) is a full-surface light-emitting pattern. Figure 14(B) is a basket weave pattern. Figure 14(C) is an hemp leaf pattern. Figure 14(D) is a horizontal stripe pattern (a horizontal stripe pattern in which the vertical width of the horizontal stripes is large in the center and gradually decreases toward the top and bottom). Note that Figure 14 is illustrated in grayscale, and the areas shown in dark gray are the light-emitting areas.

[0101] In addition, the light-emitting panel 50E can form different light-emitting designs (light-emitting shapes and light-emitting patterns) within a predetermined light distribution DL, as shown in Fig. 15(A), (B), (C), and (D). Fig. 15(A) and (B) show the same light-emitting shape, with Fig. 15(A) showing a full-surface light-emitting pattern and Fig. 15(B) showing a horizontally elongated light-emitting pattern of a group of rods. Fig. 15(C) shows a horizontally elongated light-emitting design with three lines on the top and bottom. Fig. 15(D) shows a horizontally elongated light-emitting design with three lines on the left and right. In Fig. 15, the predetermined light distribution DL is blue in the excited reflected light L10, and the part with diagonal lattice hatching (black in Fig. 15(B)) is red in the secondary light L2.

[0102] 14 and 15 are only examples of some of the light-emitting designs of light-emitting panel 50E, and the number of light-emitting designs for light-emitting panel 50E is infinite.

[0103] (Explanation of stay 51E, first mounting member 511, and second mounting member 512) 11 and 12, the stay 51E has a rectangular bar shape that is flat on the left and right sides. The light emitting panel 50E is attached to one end of the stay 51E via a first attachment member 511. The other end of the stay 51E is attached to the lamp housing 2 via a second attachment member 512.

[0104] At least one of the first mounting member 511 and the second mounting member 512 has a detachable structure. The first mounting member 511 and the second mounting member 512 are formed of, for example, bolts and nuts, magnets, screws, and fitting types.

[0105] The stay 51E disposes the light-emitting panel 50E in a predetermined position within the light distribution DL. That is, the stay 51E inclines the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting film 51, which is the surface of the light-emitting panel 50E, with respect to the irradiation direction of the excitation reflected light L10 from the reflector member 41E, and faces the lamp lens 3. In this example, the substrate 50 of the light-emitting panel 50E faces the lamp lens 3. In addition, the sealing materials 55 and 56 of the light-emitting panel 50E are detachably attached to the stay 51E via the first attachment member 511.

[0106] In this example, the stay 51E, the first mounting member 511, and the second mounting member 512 are black, similar to the lamp housing 2. Note that it is sufficient that the surfaces (surfaces facing the lamp chamber 23) of the stay 51E, the first mounting member 511, and the second mounting member 512 are black. Furthermore, the stay 51E, the first mounting member 511, and the second mounting member 512 may be a color other than black.

[0107] (Explanation of the Function of the Fourth Embodiment) The vehicular lamp 1E according to the fourth embodiment is configured as described above, and its operation will be described below.

[0108] First, when the left and right light emitting elements 401L and 401R of the excitation light source 40E of the excitation light irradiation unit 4E are turned off, the light emitting panel 50E is in a non-light emitting state. Therefore, when looking into the lamp chamber 23 from the lamp lens 3, the light emitting panel 50E in a non-light emitting state is not noticeable, and only the black colors of the lamp housing 2, the stay 51E, the first mounting member 511, and the second mounting member 512 are visible, as shown in Fig. 9. Note that in Fig. 9, the black colors of the lamp housing 2, the stay 51E, the first mounting member 511, and the second mounting member 512 are shown without color.

[0109] Then, the left and right light emitting elements 401L and 401R of the excitation light source 40E of the excitation light irradiation unit 4E are turned on. Then, the left and right light emitting elements 401L and 401R emit excitation light L1 (blue light). The excitation light L1 is reflected in a predetermined direction as excitation reflected light L10 by a plurality of segments of the left and right reflecting surfaces 410L and 410R of the reflector member 41E of the excitation light irradiation unit 4E. The excitation reflected light L10 is controlled to a predetermined light distribution DL and is irradiated toward the light conversion unit 5E.

[0110] The luminescent film 51 of the luminescent panel 50E of the light conversion unit 5E emits secondary light L2 (red light) in all directions when irradiated with the excited reflected light L10 controlled to a predetermined light distribution DL.

[0111] A portion of the secondary light L2 passes through the light-emitting film 51 and is reflected by the reflecting surface 54 toward the light-emitting film 51. The reflected secondary light L2 passes through the light-emitting film 51 again and is emitted from the secondary light exit surface 52 toward the lamp lens 3. The remainder of the secondary light L2 is not reflected by the reflecting surface 54, and is emitted from the secondary light exit surface 52 toward the lamp lens 3.

[0112] The excited reflected light L10 that has passed through the luminescent film 51 and reached the reflecting surface 54 is reflected by the reflecting surface 54 toward the luminescent film 51, and excites secondary light L2 in the luminescent film 51. The secondary light L2 excited by the excited reflected light L10 is emitted from the luminescent film 51, and is emitted from the secondary light emission surface 52 toward the lamp lens 3.

[0113] The secondary light L2 emitted from the secondary light emission surface 52 toward the lamp lens 3 transmits through the substrate 50, passes through the lamp chamber 23, and transmits through the lamp lens 3 to be irradiated to the outside of the vehicle lamp 1E in a predetermined light distribution pattern of the tail lamp. At this time, the luminous film 51 emits light from its surface, forming a luminous surface as shown in Figs. 10, 14, and 15.

[0114] 10, in the vehicle lamp 1E, the light emitting surface of the light emitting film 51 can be seen through the lamp lens 3 in the upper half of the lamp chamber 23. In the lower half of the lamp chamber 23, the black color (or a color other than black) of the inner panel 20 can be seen.

[0115] (Explanation of Effects of the Fourth Embodiment) The vehicle lamp 1E and the light emitting device 10 of the vehicle lamp 1E according to the fourth embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle lamp 1E and light emitting device 10") have the above-mentioned configuration and function, and the effects thereof will be described below.

[0116] The vehicle lamp 1E and the light emitting device 10 of this embodiment 4 include an excitation light source 40E that emits excitation light L1, a reflector member 41E as an excitation light control member that controls and irradiates the excitation light L1 emitted from the excitation light source 40E to a predetermined light distribution DL, a light emitting panel 50E that emits and emits secondary light L2 by the excitation reflected light L10 irradiated from the reflector member 41E, and a stay 51E as a positioning member that positions the light emitting panel 50E within the light distribution DL.

[0117] As a result, the vehicle lamp 1E and light emitting device 10 of this embodiment 4 can efficiently irradiate the excitation light L1 from the excitation light source 40E of the excitation light irradiation unit 4E to the light conversion unit 5E as excitation reflected light L10 due to the excitation light control action of the reflector member 41E.

[0118] The vehicle lamp 1E and the light emitting device 10 of this embodiment 4 include at least one of a first mounting member 511 that replaceably mounts the light emitting panel 50E to the excitation light source 40E and the reflector member 41E and the stay 51E of the excitation light irradiation unit 4E, or a second mounting member 512 that replaceably mounts the light emitting panel 50E and the stay 51E of the light conversion unit 5E to the excitation light source 40E and the reflector member 41E of the excitation light irradiation unit 4E.

[0119] As a result, in the vehicle lamp 1E and the light emitting device 10 according to the fourth embodiment, the light emitting panel 50E can be replaced by the first mounting member 511 having a detachable structure, or the light emitting panel 50E and the stay 51E can be replaced by the second mounting member 512 having a detachable structure. This allows the vehicle lamp 1E and the light emitting device 10 according to the fourth embodiment to easily change the light emitting design of the light emitting panel 50E, and also to greatly change the appearance.

[0120] In addition, the vehicle lamp 1E and light emitting device 10 of this embodiment 4 can share the lamp housing 2, lamp lens 3, excitation light irradiation unit 4E and stay 51E by using the first mounting member 511, and can replace the light emitting panel 50E of the light conversion unit 5E, or can share the lamp housing 2, lamp lens 3 and excitation light irradiation unit 4E by using the second mounting member 512, and can replace the light emitting panel 50E and stay 51E of the light conversion unit 5E.

[0121] As a result, the vehicle lamp 1E and the light emitting device 10 according to the fourth embodiment can share the lamp housing 2, the lamp lens 3, and the excitation light irradiation unit 4E, or can share the lamp housing 2, the lamp lens 3, the excitation light irradiation unit 4E, and the stay 51E. As a result, when the light emitting design of the light emitting panel 50E of the vehicle lamp 1E and the light emitting device 10 according to the fourth embodiment is changed, it is only necessary to change the light emitting panel 50E, or the light emitting panel 50E and the stay 51E, and it is not necessary to change many other parts. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the design of the molds, resin materials, optical designs, mounting spaces, layouts, etc. of many other parts, and the manufacturing costs can be reduced accordingly.

[0122] In the vehicle lamp 1E and the light emitting device 10 according to the fourth embodiment, the excitation light control member is constituted by a reflector member 41E having reflection surfaces 410L, 410R that control the excitation light L1 as the excitation reflected light L10. As a result, the vehicle lamp 1E and the light emitting device 10 according to the fourth embodiment can efficiently irradiate the excitation light L1 toward the light converting unit 5E by reflecting the excitation light L1 as the excitation reflected light L10 by the reflector member 41E and controlling the light distribution DL to a predetermined light distribution DL.

[0123] In the vehicle lamp 1E and the light emitting device 10 according to the fourth embodiment, the light emitting panel 50E has a reflective film 53. As a result, the vehicle lamp 1E and the light emitting device 10 according to the fourth embodiment can reflect the secondary light L2 emitted by the excitation reflected light L10 toward the lamp lens 3 side by the reflective film 53. This allows the vehicle lamp 1E and the light emitting device 10 according to the fourth embodiment to efficiently emit the secondary light L2 to the outside of the vehicle lamp 1E through the lamp lens 3.

[0124] In the vehicle lamp 1E and the light emitting device 10 according to the fourth embodiment, the light emitting panel 50E has a substrate 50, a light emitting film 51, a secondary light emission surface 52, a reflective film 53, a reflective surface 54, and sealing materials 55 and 56. As a result, the vehicle lamp 1E and the light emitting device 10 according to the fourth embodiment do not require electrical system components such as wiring and connectors in the light emitting panel 50E, and the light emitting panel 50E is thin and lightweight. Moreover, the thin and lightweight light emitting panel 50E can be made inconspicuous so that there is nothing around it.

[0125] In addition, in the vehicle lamp 1E and the light emitting device 10 according to the fourth embodiment, the stay 51E (including the first mounting member 511 and the second mounting member 512) for positioning the light emitting panel 50E within a predetermined light distribution DL similarly does not require electrical system components such as wiring and connectors, and the stay 51E is thin and lightweight. Moreover, the thin and lightweight stay 51E can be made inconspicuous so that there is nothing around it.

[0126] In the vehicle lamp 1E according to the fourth embodiment, at least the surface of the lamp housing 2 facing the lamp chamber 23 is black, so that the light-emitting panel 50E and the stay 51E (including the first mounting member 511 and the second mounting member 512) inside the lamp chamber 23 are inconspicuous due to the black color inside the lamp chamber 23. As a result, in the vehicle lamp 1E according to the fourth embodiment, when the light-emitting elements 401L, 401R are in an extinguished state, when the inside of the lamp chamber 23 is viewed through the lamp lens 3, the light-emitting panel 50E and the stay 51E are inconspicuous, and the black interior of the lamp chamber 23 can be seen, making the inside of the lamp chamber 23 almost invisible.

[0127] On the other hand, in the vehicle lamp 1E according to the fourth embodiment, when the light emitting elements 401L and 401R are turned on, the inconspicuous light emitting panel 50E emits light and becomes conspicuous. As a result, the vehicle lamp 1E according to the fourth embodiment can embody the nearly invisible phenomenon in the black lamp chamber 23 and the light emitting phenomenon of the light emitting panel 50E in the black lamp chamber 23.

[0128] The vehicle lamp 1E of this embodiment 4 has an inner panel 20 disposed between the lamp lens 3 and the excitation light irradiation unit 4E, so that when the interior of the lamp chamber 23 is viewed through the lamp lens 3, the excitation light irradiation unit 4E is covered and hidden by the inner panel 20, improving the appearance of the interior of the lamp chamber 23.

[0129] In the vehicle lamp 1E of this embodiment 4, at least the surface of the lamp housing 2 facing the lamp chamber 23, the surface of the stay 51E (including the first mounting member 511 and the second mounting member 512), and the surface of the inner panel 20 are black, making the inside of the lamp chamber 23 even more invisible.

[0130] The vehicle lamp 1E according to the fourth embodiment has three sets of light emitting devices 10 arranged on the left and right sides in a lamp chamber 23. As a result, the vehicle lamp 1E according to the fourth embodiment can form a light emitting design of a light emitting panel 50E that is long in the left and right directions by the three sets of light emitting devices 10.

[0131] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 1E of this embodiment 4, by arbitrarily arranging multiple sets of light-emitting devices 10 left and right, up and down within the lamp chamber 23, it is possible to form a long light-emitting design in the left and right, up and down and diagonal directions, or a wide-range light-emitting design in the left and right, up and down and diagonal directions.

[0132] (Description of Modified Examples of Excitation Light Control Member) Fig. 16 shows a modified example of an excitation light control member of a light emitting device of a vehicle lamp, in which the same reference numerals as those in Figs. 9 to 15 denote the same parts.

[0133] 9 to 15 is a reflector member 41E having reflection surfaces 410L and 410R that control excitation light L1 from excitation light source 40E. The excitation light control member of this modification 1 is an inner lens member 43E. Inner lens member 43E has an entrance surface 430 and an exit surface 431 that control excitation light L1 from excitation light source 40E.

[0134] In this example, the incident surface 430 has a plurality of prism surfaces (refractive surfaces). In this example, the exit surface 431 is a plane. The incident surface 430 and the exit surface 431 emit the excitation light L1 emitted from the excitation light source 40E in a predetermined direction as excitation exit light L11. As a result, the excitation exit light L11 is controlled to a predetermined light distribution DL and irradiated to the light conversion unit 5E side.

[0135] The inner lens member 43E, which is a modified example of the excitation light control member, has the above-mentioned configuration, and therefore can achieve the same effects as the reflector member 41E.

[0136] 11, the substrate 400 of the excitation light source 40E is disposed vertically (up and down), the stay 51E has a horizontal (left and right) rectangular rod shape, and the excitation light source 40E and the reflector member 41E are attached to the bracket 42E. In contrast, in Fig. 16, the substrate 400 of the excitation light source 40E is disposed horizontally (left and right), the stay 52E has an L shape, and the excitation light source 40E, the inner lens member 43E, and the stay 52E are attached to the bracket 44E.

[0137] In this modification, a prism surface is provided on incident surface 430, but a textured finish may be provided instead of the prism surface, or a light diffusion element group (ink or paint) may be contained in inner lens member 43E. The prism surface or textured finish may be provided on exit surface 431, or on both entrance surface 430 and exit surface 431.

[0138] (Description of Modified Examples of Excitation Light Control Member) Fig. 17 shows a modified example of an excitation light control member for a light emitting device of a vehicle lamp, in which the same reference numerals as those in Figs. 9 to 16 denote the same parts.

[0139] 9 to 15 is a reflector member 41E having reflection surfaces 410L and 410R that control the excitation light L1 from the excitation light source 40E. Also, the excitation light control member in Fig. 16 is an inner lens member 43E having an entrance surface 430 and an exit surface 431 that control the excitation light L1 from the excitation light source 40E.

[0140] In contrast to this, the excitation light control member of this modified example is a combination of the reflector member 41E shown in FIGS. 9 to 15 and the inner lens member 43E shown in FIG.

[0141] Since the excitation light control member of this modified example has the configuration described above, it can achieve the same effects as the reflector member 41E of FIGS. 9 to 15 and the inner lens member 43E of FIG.

[0142] 11, the excitation light source 40E is disposed on the lamp lens 3 side, the reflector member 41E is disposed on the lamp housing 2 side, and the excitation light source 40E and the reflector member 41E are attached to the bracket 42E. Also, in FIG. 16, the excitation light source 40E, the inner lens member 43E, and the stay 52E are attached to the bracket 44E.

[0143] In contrast, in FIG. 17, the excitation light source 40E is arranged on the lamp housing 2 side, the reflector member 41E is arranged on the lamp lens 3 side, and the excitation light source 40E, the reflector member 41E, the inner lens member 43E and the stay 52E are attached to the bracket 45E.

[0144] (Description of Modification of Light Conversion Unit 53E) Fig. 18 shows a modified example of a light converting unit 53E of a light emitting device for a vehicle lamp. In Fig. 18, the same reference numerals as in Figs. 9 to 17 denote the same parts.

[0145] The light conversion unit 5E of Fig. 9 to Fig. 17 has one light emitting panel 50E, and one end of the square rod-shaped stay 51E and one end of the L-shaped stay 52E are not separated. In contrast, the light conversion unit 53E of this modified example has a plurality of light emitting panels 50E (two in this example) on the top and bottom, and one end of the stay 54E is separated into a plurality of upper and lower parts (two-pronged in this example). As a result, the light conversion unit 53E of this modified example is suitable for forming a light emitting design of three horizontally elongated stripes on the top and bottom as shown in Fig. 15(C).

[0146] In addition, the light conversion unit 53E of this modified example is suitable for forming an illuminating design of three horizontal V patterns on the left and right as shown in Figure 15 (D) by arranging multiple light-emitting panels 50E on the left and right and dividing one end of the stay 54E into multiple parts on the left and right.

[0147] Furthermore, since the light converting unit 53E of this modified example has the above-mentioned configuration, it can achieve the same effects as the light converting unit 5E.

[0148] 11, the light converting unit 5E is disposed above the excitation light irradiating unit 4E, whereas in Fig. 18, the light converting unit 53E is disposed below the excitation light irradiating unit 4E.

[0149] (Description of Modifications of Light-Emitting Panel 50A) Fig. 19 shows a modified example of a light emitting panel 50A of a light emitting device for a vehicle lamp. In Fig. 19, the same reference numerals as in Figs. 9 to 18 denote the same parts.

[0150] The light-emitting panel 50E has a reflective film 53. In contrast, the light-emitting panel 50A of this modification does not have a reflective film 53. That is, the light-emitting panel 50A of this modification has a substrate 50, a light-emitting film 51, and a sealing material 57 (light-transmitting aluminum (Al2O3) or the like).

[0151] The light-emitting panel 50A of this modification can achieve substantially the same effects as the light-emitting panel 50E described above. In particular, since the light-emitting panel 50A of this modification is made of a light-transmitting member, when the light-emitting elements 401L and 401R are not lit, the light-emitting panel 50A is in a transparent and invisible state (invisible state) when the inside of the lamp chamber 23 is viewed through the lamp lens 3 as shown in FIG. 9.

[0152] Furthermore, if at least the surface of the lamp housing 2 facing the lamp chamber 23, the surfaces of the stays 51E, 52E, 54E and the surfaces of the first mounting member 511 and the second mounting member 512, and the surface of the inner panel 20 are black, the presence of the light-emitting panel 50A of this modified example becomes even less noticeable, making the interior of the lamp chamber 23 invisible.

[0153] (Description of examples other than embodiments 1, 2, 3, 4, and modified examples) In the above-mentioned first, second, third, fourth and modified embodiments, an example is described in which the vehicular lamps 1, 1A, 1B, 1E are tail lamps constituting a rear combination lamp, and the secondary light L2 is red light R. However, in this invention, the vehicular lamps 1, 1A, 1B, 1E may be stop lamps, tail stop lamps or turn signal lamps other than tail lamps. In the case of a stop lamp or tail stop lamp, the secondary light L2 is red light R, and in the case of a turn signal lamp, the secondary light L2 is yellow-orange light A.

[0154] In the above-mentioned first, second, third, fourth and modified embodiments, the lamp lens 3 is composed of a red lens having a transmittance of 10% or less for the excitation light L1 in a wavelength region of the blue excitation light L1 having a dominant wavelength shorter than 500 nm, and a transmittance of 80% or more for the secondary light L2 in a wavelength region of the red secondary light R having a dominant wavelength longer than 500 nm. However, in this invention, the numerical value of the transmittance of the excitation light L1 and the numerical value of the transmittance of the secondary light L2 are not limited.

[0155] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first, second, third, fourth and modified embodiments, the lamp lens 3 is composed of a red lens having a transmittance of 10% or less for the excitation light L1 of blue light having a wavelength of 500 nm and a transmittance of 80% or more for the secondary light L2 of red light R having a wavelength of 650 nm. However, in this invention, the numerical values ​​of the wavelength and transmittance of the excitation light L1 and the numerical values ​​of the wavelength and transmittance of the secondary light L2 are not limited.

[0156] Furthermore, in the first, second, third, fourth and modified examples, the reflective film 53 is made of a reflective material having a reflectance of 20% or more in the wavelength region of visible light. However, the present invention does not limit the value of the reflectance and the material of the reflective film 53.

[0157] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned first, second, third, fourth, and modified examples. For example, the shape of the surface emission is not particularly limited. That is, the secondary light emission surface 52 has a rectangular, square, or free-form planar shape, but may also be a curved surface. In this way, surface emission of any design shape can be obtained.

[0158] In the fourth embodiment and the modified example, the excitation light control member is a reflector member 41E, an inner lens member 43E, or a combination of the reflector member 41E and the inner lens member 43E. However, in the present invention, the excitation light control member may be a member other than the above-mentioned members, for example, a light guide member (light guide plate, light guide rod) having an incident surface, an exit surface, and a total reflection surface. In short, it is sufficient if it is a member that controls the excitation light L1 from the excitation light source 40E and irradiates it to the light-emitting panel 50E. [Explanation of symbols]

[0159] 1, 1A, 1B Vehicle lighting fixtures 2 Lamp housing 23 Light room 3 Lamp Lens 4, 4A, 4B Excitation light irradiation unit 40 Excitation Light Source 41: final excitation light irradiation surface (reflecting surface of reflector 43, exit surface of light guide 44) 42 Exit surface 43 Reflector (optical component) 44 Light guide (optical component) 45 Incidence plane 5. Optical conversion unit 50 Substrates 51 Luminescent film (luminescent layer) 52 Secondary light exit surface 53 Reflective film (reflective layer) 54 Reflective surface 55 Encapsulating materials 56 Encapsulating materials A Yellow-orange light D Output direction L1 excitation light L2 secondary light N Normal R red light W white light θ1 Placement angle θ2 Placement angle 1E Vehicle lighting fixtures 10 Light emitting device 4E Excitation light irradiation unit 40E Excitation Light Source 400 Substrates 401L, 401R Light emitting element 41E Reflector material 410L, 410R reflective surface 42E Bracket 420 Mounting boss 420L Left front panel 420R Right front panel 421C Intermediate side plate 421L Left side plate 421R Right side plate 422L Left window 422R Right window 43E Inner lens material 430 Entrance plane 431 Exit surface 44E Bracket 45E Bracket 5E Optical conversion unit 50E Light-emitting panel 51E Stay 511 First mounting member 512 Second mounting member 52E Stay 53E Optical conversion unit 54E Stay 50A Light Emitting Panel 57 Encapsulating materials After B DE Down DL Light Distribution Before F L left L10 Excitation reflected light L11 Excitation emission light R right U Top Z reference axis

Claims

1. a lamp housing and a lamp lens forming a lamp chamber; An excitation light irradiation unit and a light conversion unit arranged in the lamp chamber; Equipped with The excitation light irradiation unit includes: an excitation light source that emits excitation light; an excitation light final irradiation surface that finally irradiates the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source onto the light conversion unit; having The light conversion unit is a light-emitting film that emits secondary light by the excitation light irradiated from the final excitation light irradiation surface; a reflective film that reflects the secondary light emitted from the light-emitting film toward the light-emitting film; A secondary light exit surface that outputs the secondary light toward the lamp lens; having The excitation light has a dominant wavelength shorter than 500 nm, The secondary light has a dominant wavelength longer than 500 nm, The lamp lens is composed of a red lens, the excitation light final irradiation surface is disposed on the lamp lens side with respect to the secondary light exit surface, The excitation light source is disposed on an opposite side of the lamp lens with respect to the secondary light exit surface, An optical component is disposed between the lamp lens side and the excitation light source with respect to the secondary light exit surface, The optical component is provided with the final excitation light irradiation surface. A vehicle lamp characterized by the above.

2. The lamp lens is The transmittance of the excitation light is 10% or less in the wavelength region of the excitation light, In the wavelength region of the secondary light, the transmittance of the secondary light is 80% or more. It consists of a red lens.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

3. The lamp lens is The transmittance of the excitation light at a wavelength of 500 nm is 10% or less, The transmittance of the secondary light at a wavelength of 650 nm is 80% or more. It consists of a red lens.

3. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The reflective film is The reflectance in the visible light wavelength region is 20% or more. It is made of reflective material, 4. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are disposed on the first and second electrodes.

5. A lamp housing and a lamp lens forming a lamp chamber; An excitation light irradiation unit and a light conversion unit disposed in the lamp chamber; Equipped with The excitation light irradiation unit includes: an excitation light source that emits excitation light; an excitation light final irradiation surface that finally irradiates the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source onto the light conversion unit; having The light conversion unit is a light-emitting film that emits secondary light by the excitation light irradiated from the final excitation light irradiation surface; a reflective film that reflects the secondary light emitted from the light-emitting film toward the light-emitting film; A secondary light exit surface that outputs the secondary light toward the lamp lens in a direction of a reference axis that is parallel to a front-rear direction of the vehicle; having The excitation light has a dominant wavelength shorter than 500 nm, The secondary light has a dominant wavelength longer than 500 nm, The lamp lens is composed of a red lens, the excitation light final irradiation surface and the secondary light exit surface are arranged facing each other in an irradiation direction of the excitation light from the excitation light final irradiation surface, The secondary light exit surface and the lamp lens are arranged facing each other in the direction of the reference axis, The excitation light final irradiation surface irradiates the excitation light by controlling the excitation light to a predetermined light distribution, The secondary light exit surface is disposed within the predetermined light distribution and is inclined with respect to the reference axis. A vehicle lamp characterized by the above.

6. A portion of the secondary light emission surface is located closer to the lamp lens than the final excitation light irradiation surface in the direction of the reference axis, or at least a portion of the final excitation light irradiation surface is located closer to the lamp lens than the end of the secondary light emission surface opposite the lamp lens in the direction of the reference axis.

6. A vehicle lamp according to claim 5.

7. An optical component is disposed within the lamp chamber, The optical component is provided with a final irradiation surface for the excitation light, The excitation light source and the optical component are arranged in the direction of the reference axis, At least a part of the excitation light source is disposed on the lamp lens side relative to the secondary light exit surface in the direction of the reference axis.

6. A vehicle lamp according to claim 5.

8. An optical component is disposed within the lamp chamber, The optical component is provided with a final irradiation surface for the excitation light, The excitation light source, the optical component, and the secondary light exit surface are arranged in a direction intersecting the reference axis.

6. A vehicle lamp according to claim 5.

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