Vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting fixture capable of reducing luminance unevenness at the time of lighting.SOLUTION: A vehicular lighting fixture includes a light source and a light guide lens. The light guide lens includes: an introduction part for introducing light from the light source; a light distribution part for emitting the light introduced from the introduction part as illumination light; a decorative part connected to the light distribution part, and for emitting the light introduced from the introduction part as decorative light; and a slit part for separating the introduction part and the decorative part. In the light distribution part and the decorative part, each light emission surface is flush. The introduction part includes: a light incident surface where light from the light source enters; a lens cut which emits part of the light from the light source, and allows it to enter the decorative part via the slit part; a first inclined surface positioned at a tip side of the slit part; a second inclined surface for connecting the first inclined surface and the decorative part; and a reflection cut surface provided on a second surface on the opposite side from a first surface where the lens cut is provided, and for reflecting the other part of the light from the light source so as to be along the second inclined surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is a technology for vehicle lighting in which a light distribution section and a decorative section are formed in a light guide lens separated by a slit, and light incident on the incident surface of the light distribution section is emitted as different functional light from the light distribution section and the decorative section (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6072520 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned vehicle lamp, when viewed from the front side, a step is formed between the decorative part and the light distribution part, so there is a lack of connection between the surfaces of the decorative part and the light distribution part, and there is a problem that the appearance is poor when the lamp is not lit. Therefore, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the surfaces of the decorative part and the light distribution part are made flush to eliminate the step, but in this case, it becomes necessary to increase the thickness of the light guide lens, which makes it difficult for light to enter the boundary between the decorative part and the light distribution part, and there is a risk of uneven brightness occurring when the lamp is lit.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a vehicle lamp capable of reducing luminance unevenness when turned on. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light source and a light guide lens that guides light from the light source, the light guide lens having an introduction section that introduces light from the light source, a light distribution section that is connected to the introduction section and that outputs a portion of the light introduced from the introduction section as illumination light, a decorative section that is connected to the light distribution section and that outputs another portion of the light introduced from the introduction section as decorative light, and a slit section that separates the introduction section and the decorative section, the introduction section having a light entrance surface on which the light from the light source is incident, a lens cut that causes a portion of the light from the light source to exit and enter the decorative section through the slit section, a first inclined surface located on the light distribution section side of the lens cut, a second inclined surface that connects the first inclined surface and the decorative section, and a reflection cut surface that is provided on a surface opposite to the slit section and that reflects a portion of the light incident from the light entrance surface so as to follow the second inclined surface. The inclination angle of the first inclined surface with respect to the extension direction of the decorative portion is gentler than the inclination angle of the second inclined surface with respect to the extension direction of the decorative portion. A vehicle lamp is provided. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighting device comprising a light source and a light guide lens for guiding light from the light source, the light guide lens having an introduction section for introducing light from the light source, a light distribution section connected to the introduction section and emitting a portion of the light introduced from the introduction section as illumination light, a decorative section connected to the light distribution section and emitting another portion of the light introduced from the introduction section as decorative light, and a slit section separating the introduction section and the decorative section, the introduction section having a light entrance surface on which the light from the light source is incident, and a light guide lens for guiding light from the light source. The present invention provides a vehicle lamp having a lens cut that emits a portion of light and causes it to enter the decorative portion through the slit portion, a first inclined surface located on the light distribution portion side of the lens cut, a second inclined surface connecting the first inclined surface and the decorative portion, a reflective cut-out surface provided on the surface opposite the slit portion and reflecting a portion of the light incident from the light incident surface along the second inclined surface, and a reflective surface provided on the surface opposite the slit portion and positioned on the light incident surface side of the reflective cut-out surface. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighting device comprising a light source and a light guide lens for guiding light from the light source, the light guide lens having an introduction section for introducing light from the light source, a light distribution section connected to the introduction section and emitting a portion of the light introduced from the introduction section as illumination light, a decorative section connected to the light distribution section and emitting another portion of the light introduced from the introduction section as decorative light, and a slit section separating the introduction section and the decorative section, the introduction section having a light entrance surface on which the light from the light source is incident, and a front surface on which the front surface is disposed. The vehicle lamp has a lens cut that emits a portion of light from the light source and makes it enter the decorative portion through the slit portion, a first inclined surface located on the light distribution portion side of the lens cut, a second inclined surface connecting the first inclined surface and the decorative portion, and a reflective cut surface provided on the surface opposite the slit portion and reflecting a portion of the light incident from the light incident surface along the second inclined surface, wherein at least a portion of the reflective cut surface faces the first inclined surface. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighting device comprising a light source and a light guide lens for guiding light from the light source, the light guide lens having an introduction section for introducing light from the light source, a light distribution section connected to the introduction section and emitting a portion of the light introduced from the introduction section as illumination light, a decorative section connected to the light distribution section and emitting another portion of the light introduced from the introduction section as decorative light, and a slit section separating the introduction section from the decorative section, the introduction section having a light entrance surface on which the light from the light source is incident, a lens cut for emitting a portion of the light from the light source and causing it to enter the decorative section via the slit section, and A vehicle lamp is provided which has a first inclined surface located on the light distribution section side of a lens cut, a second inclined surface connecting the first inclined surface and the decorative section, and a reflective cut surface provided on the surface opposite the slit section and reflecting a portion of the light incident from the light entrance surface so that the portion is along the second inclined surface, wherein the introduction section is located between the lens cut and the first inclined surface and further has a light exit area which exits another portion of the light incident from the light entrance surface, and the light exited from the light exit area passes through the slit section so as to be along the first inclined surface, and enters the light distribution section from the second inclined surface. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lighting device comprising a light source and a light guide lens for guiding light from the light source, the light guide lens having an introduction section for introducing light from the light source, a light distribution section connected to the introduction section and emitting a part of the light introduced from the introduction section as illumination light, a decorative section connected to the light distribution section and emitting another part of the light introduced from the introduction section as decorative light, and a slit section separating the introduction section and the decorative section, the introduction section having a light entrance surface on which the light from the light source is incident, and a light guide lens for guiding light from the light source. The present invention provides a vehicle lamp having a lens cut that emits a portion of light from the light source and causes it to enter the decorative portion through the slit portion, a first inclined surface located on the light distribution portion side of the lens cut, a second inclined surface connecting the first inclined surface and the decorative portion, and a reflective cut surface provided on the surface opposite the slit portion and reflecting a portion of the light incident from the light incident surface along the second inclined surface, wherein the optical axis of the light source is shifted toward the tip side of the decorative portion with respect to the center of the light incident surface of the introduction portion.

[0007] In the above vehicle lamp, an inclination angle of the first inclined surface with respect to an extension direction of the decorative portion may be gentler than an inclination angle of the second inclined surface with respect to the extension direction of the decorative portion.

[0008] In the above vehicle lamp, the introduction portion may be provided on a surface opposite to the slit portion and may have a reflection surface located closer to the light entrance surface than the reflection-cutting surface.

[0009] In the above vehicle lamp, the reflection-cutting surface may be configured so that at least a portion of the reflection-cutting surface faces the first inclined surface.

[0010] In the above-mentioned vehicle lamp, the introduction portion may further have a light exit region located between the lens cut and the first inclined surface, which emits another portion of the light incident from the light incident surface, and the light emitted from the light exit region may pass through the slit portion along the first inclined surface and enter the light distribution portion from the second inclined surface.

[0011] In the above vehicle lamp, an optical axis of the light source may be shifted toward a tip end of the decorative portion with respect to a center of a light entrance surface of the introducing portion.

[0012] In the above vehicle lamp, the decorative portion may be configured to emit the decorative light in an emission direction of the illumination light from the light distribution portion.

[0013] In the above vehicle lamp, the light source may include a substrate and a light-emitting element provided on a first surface of the substrate, and the light source may be configured to be arranged with respect to the light-guiding lens so that the first surface of the substrate is aligned in an extension direction of the light-guiding lens. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp, the appearance is excellent when the lamp is not lit, and uneven brightness when the lamp is lit can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a tail lamp unit to which the present invention is applied; [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a tail lamp according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the configuration of a main part of the tail lamp. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a top view showing the position of a light source relative to a light guide lens. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the illuminance distribution of a tail lamp. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 6. The vehicle lamp of this embodiment is an application of the present invention to a tail lamp of a lid tail lamp that constitutes a tail lamp unit.

[0017] In the drawings used in the following description, in order to make each component easier to see, the dimensions of the components may be shown at different scales, and the dimensional ratios of each component may not necessarily be the same as in reality.

[0018] In each figure, the configuration of each component is explained by setting an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. In the following explanation, the terms "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", and "lower" refer to the respective directions when the tail lamp unit 100 is viewed from the rear (rear of the vehicle) unless otherwise specified. Therefore, the respective directions when the vehicle is viewed from the front (front of the vehicle) are reversed front, rear, left and right.

[0019] For example, the X-axis corresponds to the axis along the front-rear direction of the tail lamp unit, the Y-axis corresponds to the axis along the left-right direction of the tail lamp unit, and the Z-axis corresponds to the axis along the top-bottom direction of the tail lamp unit. In this specification, the +X side corresponds to the front side of the tail lamp unit, the -X side corresponds to the rear side of the tail lamp unit, the +Y side corresponds to the right side of the tail lamp unit, the -Y side corresponds to the left side of the tail lamp unit 100, the +Z side corresponds to the upper side of the tail lamp unit, and the -Z side corresponds to the lower side of the tail lamp unit. In the following description, the front-rear direction may be expressed as X, the left-right direction as Y, and the top-bottom direction as Z.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a tail lamp unit. As shown in Fig. 1, the tail lamp unit 100 has a lid tail lamp 110 and a rear control lamp 120. The lid tail lamp 110 includes a first tail lamp 111 and a back lamp 112. The first tail lamp 111 is arranged to extend along the outer shape of the lid tail lamp 110. The rear control lamp 120 includes a second tail lamp 121, a stop lamp 122, and a turn lamp 123. The second tail lamp 121 is arranged to extend along the outer shape of the rear control lamp 120.

[0021] In the tail lamp unit 100 of this embodiment, the first tail lamp 111 and the second tail lamp 121 are disposed adjacent to each other in the left-right direction Y, thereby producing a unified lighting appearance. 1 corresponds to the vehicle lamp of the present invention. Hereinafter, the first tail lamp 111 will be simply referred to as the "tail lamp 111."

[0022] Fig. 2 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the tail lamp 111. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a top view showing the configuration of a main part of the tail lamp 111.

[0023] 2 and 3, the tail lamp 111 includes a light source 10 and a light guide lens 1. The light source 10 includes a substrate 11 and a light emitting element 12. The light emitting element 12 is provided on a main surface (first surface) 11a of the substrate 11. A drive circuit (not shown) that drives the light emitting element 12 is provided on the main surface 11a of the substrate 11. The light emitting element 12 is, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) that emits red light. The number of light emitting elements 12 in the light source 10 is not particularly limited, and may be one or more.

[0024] In this embodiment, the light source 10 is disposed with respect to the light guide lens 1 so that the main surface 11a of the substrate 11 is aligned with the left-right direction Y, which is the extension direction of the light guide lens 1. The light source 10 is held, for example, in a housing (not shown) of the tail lamp unit 100.

[0025] 2, the light guide lens 1 is attached to a housing (not shown) of the tail lamp unit 100 via attachment parts 90. In the present embodiment, the tail lamp 111 is fixed to the housing of the tail lamp unit 100 via two attachment parts 90 provided in the left-right direction Y. An opening 91 for inserting a screw member is formed in the attachment parts 90. The method of fixing the attachment parts 90 is not limited to the screw member.

[0026] Here, the state in which the main surface 11a of the substrate 11 is aligned along the left-right direction Y is not limited to the case in which the main surface 11a is parallel to the Y-axis direction, but may be a state in which the main surface 11a is not perpendicular to the Y-axis, that is, the angle between the main surface 11a and the Y-axis direction is at least smaller than 90°.

[0027] In this embodiment, the light source 10 is located on the left side (-Y side) and rear side (-X side) of the light guiding lens 1. In this manner, in the tail lamp 111 of this embodiment, by arranging the light source 10 on the rear side (-X side) of the light guiding lens 1, it is possible to suppress an increase in the dimension of the tail lamp 111 in the left-right direction Y, compared to a case in which the light source 10 is arranged at one end of the light guiding lens 1 in the left-right direction Y so that the main surface 11a of the substrate 11 is perpendicular to the Y axis.

[0028] Light guide lens 1 guides and emits light incident from light source 10. Light guide lens 1 is made of a light-transmitting material having a higher refractive index than air, such as transparent resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic, or glass.

[0029] The light guide lens 1 has an introduction section 2, a light distribution section 3, a decorative section 4, and a slit section 5. The slit section 5 is formed from one end (left end) of the light guide lens 1 toward the extension direction (left-right direction Y) of the light guide lens 1. The slit section 5 separates the introduction section 2 and the decorative section 4.

[0030] The introduction section 2 is a section that introduces the light L from the light source 10. The introduction section 2 is disposed so as to face the light emitting element 12 of the light source 10. The introduction section 2 is located on the rear side (-X side) of the slit section 5. The introduction section 2 distributes the light L from the light source 10 to the light distribution section 3 or the decorative section 4. The details of the introduction section 2 will be described later.

[0031] 3, the light distribution unit 3 is connected to the introduction unit 2 and emits a portion of the light introduced from the introduction unit 2 as illumination light L1. The light distribution unit 3 has an emission surface 31 that emits the illumination light L1, and a propagation surface 32 that reflects the light introduced from the introduction unit 2 and propagates the light inside.

[0032] The exit surface 31 has a plurality of diffusion cuts 31a formed thereon. The diffusion cut 31a can emit the illumination light L1 in a diffused state. This allows the emission surface 31 to emit the illumination light L1 uniformly. Examples of the diffusion cut 31a include lens cuts called flute cuts and fisheye cuts, and uneven structures formed by knurling, embossing, and the like. In addition, by adjusting the shape of the diffusion cut 31a, it is possible to control the degree of diffusion of the light L emitted from the emission surface 31.

[0033] The propagation surface 32 has a reflection structure 32a that reflects the light L introduced from the introduction section 2 toward the exit surface 31. The reflection structure 32a is formed by cutting the surface of the propagation surface 32 into a predetermined shape. A part of the light reflected by the reflection structure 32a of the propagation surface 32 is incident on the exit surface 31 at an angle equal to or smaller than the critical angle, and is emitted from the exit surface 31 as illumination light L1. Meanwhile, another part of the light reflected by the reflection structure 32a of the propagation surface 32 is incident on the exit surface 31 at an angle equal to or larger than the critical angle, is totally reflected by the exit surface 31, and propagates toward the tip 3a of the light distribution section 3.

[0034] Based on this configuration, the light distribution unit 3 can emit the light L introduced from the introduction unit 2 from the emission surface 31, and can guide the light to the tip 3a side by propagating the light by total reflection between the emission surface 31 and the propagation surface 32. In this way, the light distribution unit 3 emits illumination light L1 emitted uniformly from the entire emission surface 31 forward (in the +X direction).

[0035] 3, the decorative section 4 is connected to the light distribution section 3 and emits the light L incident from the introduction section 2 as decorative light L2. The decorative section 4 is located on the front side (+X side) of the slit section 5. The decorative section 4 and the introduction section 2 are disposed facing each other with the slit section 5 in between.

[0036] The decorative unit 4 has a decoration-side entrance surface 40 facing the introduction unit 2, and a decoration-side exit surface 41 that emits decorative light L2. The decorative unit 4 emits decorative light L2 in the emission direction (+X direction) of the illumination light L1 in the light distribution unit 3. The tail lamp 111 of this embodiment emits the illumination light L1 and the decorative light L2 in the same direction (+X direction).

[0037] In addition, in the tail lamp 111 of this embodiment, the light exit surfaces of the decorative portion 4 and the light distribution portion 3 are formed flush with each other. Specifically, in this embodiment, the decoration-side exit surface 41 of the decorative portion 4 and the exit surface 31 of the light distribution portion 3 are flush with each other. Here, if the light exit surfaces of the decorative section 4 and the light distribution section 3 are not flush, i.e., if a step is provided between the decorative side exit surface 41 and the exit surface 31, a problem arises in that the step appears dark when the light is not turned on, thereby degrading the appearance.

[0038] In contrast, in the tail lamp 111 of this embodiment, as described above, the light exit surfaces of the decorative section 4 and the light distribution section 3 are made flush, so that no step is created between the decorative side exit surface 41 and the exit surface 31, thereby suppressing the deterioration of appearance when the lamp is not lit.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 4, the tip 4L of the decorative portion 4 is located to the left (-Y side) of the left end 2L of the introduction portion 2. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 2, when the light guide lens 1 is viewed from the front, the decorative portion 4 is disposed on the back side (-X side) of the introduction portion 2. Therefore, when viewed from the front, the introduction portion 2 cannot be directly viewed, and therefore, it is possible to suppress a problem that the light emitted from the introduction portion 2 is viewed as uneven brightness, thereby degrading the appearance when lit.

[0040] The interface of the decorative side incident surface 40 is formed by the slit portion 5 . In this embodiment, the decoration-side incident surface 40 is a tapered surface in which the slit width in the front-rear direction X gradually narrows toward the lower side in the up-down direction Z, as shown in Fig. 4. By forming the surface as a tapered surface, the light incident on the decoration-side incident surface 40 is refracted obliquely downward (to the -Z side), and the decorative light L2 emitted from the decoration-side exit surface 41 can be controlled, but the surface may be a flat surface in which the slit width in the front-rear direction X is constant in the up-down direction Z. When the slit portion 5 is formed to penetrate in the up-down direction Z, there are fewer restrictions on the draft angle of the mold, so the surface may be a tapered surface in which the slit width in the front-rear direction X gradually thickens toward the lower side in the up-down direction Z.

[0041] A plurality of diffusion cuts 40a are provided on the decorative side incident surface 40. The plurality of diffusion cuts 40a are configured, for example, by arranging prism cuts having a predetermined cross-sectional shape in the extension direction (left-right direction Y) of the decorative part 4. The predetermined cross-sectional shape in this embodiment is a triangular shape or a semi-cylindrical shape protruding in the -X direction, and a plurality of prism cuts extending in the up-down direction Z are arranged. In this embodiment, the cut shapes arranged in the extension direction of the decorative part 4 are not limited to one type, and the cut shapes are made different for each location on the decorative side incident surface 40.

[0042] Similarly, a plurality of diffusion cuts 41a are formed on the decorative side exit surface 41. The plurality of diffusion cuts 41a are formed, for example, by arranging prism cuts having a predetermined cross-sectional shape in the up-down direction Z. That is, in the case of this embodiment, the direction of the prism cuts 40a on the decorative side entrance surface 40 and the diffusion cuts 41a on the decorative side exit surface 41 are made to differ by 90°. According to this configuration, the light diffusion direction can be made different between the light incident side and the light exit side, so that uniformly emitted decorative light L2 can be emitted from the decorative part 4. Note that the cut shapes of the multiple diffusion cuts 41a may also be made different for each location on the decoration-side exit surface 41.

[0043] Next, the configuration of the introduction section 2 will be described. 4, the introduction section 2 includes a light incident surface 21 into which light from the light source 10 is incident, a front surface portion 22 connected to one end side (+Y side) of the light incident surface 21 and facing the slit section 5, and a back surface portion 23 connected to the other end side (+Y side) of the light incident surface 21 and opposite to the front surface portion 22. The light incident surface 21 is provided so as to face the light emitting element 12 of the light source 10. 4, for the sake of simplicity, the substrate 11 of the light source 10 is omitted. Also, in FIG. 4, for the sake of simplicity, the refraction of light occurring at the light incident surface 21 is omitted. Although the light entrance surface 21 in this embodiment is configured as a flat surface, it may be configured as a curved surface including a lens shape.

[0044] The interface of the front surface 22 of the introduction section 2 is formed by the slit section 5 . The front surface 22 of the introduction section 2 is provided with a lens cut 50, a first inclined surface 51, a second inclined surface 52, a front optical surface 53, and a light exit region 54. That is, the introduction section 2 of this embodiment has the lens cut 50, the first inclined surface 51, the second inclined surface 52, and the light exit region 54.

[0045] The lens cut 50 emits a part of the light L from the light source 10 incident from the light incident surface 21 toward the decorative part 4. Hereinafter, the light emitted from the lens cut 50 is referred to as the first decorative light L21. The shape of the lens cut 50 is an asymmetric saw-like cut protruding forward (+X direction), and the apex and face of the saw-like cut are rounded to provide diffusion, and extends in the same vertical direction Z as the prism cut of the decoration side incident surface 40. However, there is no need to be limited to this shape in particular, and it may be a knurled knurl protruding forward (+X direction), or it may have a shape that has a diffusion function at least in the left-right direction Y in which the decoration part 4 extends. The prism cut of the decoration side incident surface 40 and the lens cut 50 are formed to extend in the same vertical direction Z because it makes it easier to remove the mold. For example, the decorative side exit surface 41 may have a knurling extending in the left-right direction Y. In this case, the decorative light L2 is diffused left and right at the decorative side entrance surface 40 and up and down at the decorative side exit surface 41, so that the decorative light L2 irradiated to the outside is diffused up, down, left and right, which helps prevent uneven brightness.

[0046] The first decorative light L21 emitted from the lens cut 50 enters the decorative portion 4 through the slit portion 5. Since the first decorative light L21 is emitted in a diffused state in the left-right direction Y by the lens cut 50, the first decorative light L21 efficiently enters a wide range of the decorative portion 4 in the left-right direction Y.

[0047] In this manner, the introduction section 2 of this embodiment directly emits a portion of the light L emitted from the light source 10 from the lens cut 50 toward the decorative section 4. That is, the decorative section 4 of this embodiment generates the decorative light L2 mainly from direct light (first decorative light L21) actively emitted to the outside from the lens cut 50 of the introduction section 2, rather than from light (leakage light) leaking from the introduction section 2 through the slit section 5, so that the decorative section 4 can emit decorative light L2 with sufficient brightness. In this manner, in this embodiment, luminance unevenness during light emission in the decorative section 4 and the light distribution section 3 is reduced.

[0048] The first inclined surface 51 is located closer to the light distribution section 3 than the lens cut 50. The first inclined surface 51 is located on the tip side of the slit section 5. The first inclined surface 51 is a surface that inclines in a direction approaching the decorative section 4 side toward the tip side of the slit section 5.

[0049] The second inclined surface 52 is located on the tip side of the slit portion 5 with respect to the first inclined surface 51. The second inclined surface 52 connects the first inclined surface 51 and the decorative portion 4 (decoration-side emission surface 41). The second inclined surface 52 is a surface that inclines in a direction approaching the decorative portion 4 toward the tip side of the slit portion 5.

[0050] Here, the inclination angle of the first inclined surface 51 with respect to the extension direction (left-right direction Y) of the decorative portion 4 is θ1, and the inclination angle of the second inclined surface 52 with respect to the extension direction (left-right direction Y) of the decorative portion 4 is θ2.

[0051] In this embodiment, the inclination angle θ1 of the first inclined surface 51 is smaller than the inclination angle θ2 of the second inclined surface 52. In other words, the inclination angle θ1 of the first inclined surface 51 with respect to the extension direction of the decorative portion 4 is gentler than the inclination angle θ2 of the second inclined surface 52 with respect to the extension direction of the decorative portion 4.

[0052] The light exit region 54 emits another part of the light incident from the light incident surface 21. The shape of the light exit region 54 is a curved lens surface protruding forward (in the +X direction), but is not particularly limited, and may be a triangular lens surface with an obtuse angle compared to the lens cut, or may be a flat lens surface or a lens surface including a curved surface. The light exit region 54 is located between the lens cut 50 and the first inclined surface 51. That is, the lens cut 50 and the first inclined surface 51 are separated from each other by the width of the light exit region 54. Therefore, the first decorative light L21 emitted from the lens cut 50 is not reflected by being incident on the first inclined surface 51, and is efficiently incident on the decorative part 4.

[0053] The front-side optical surface 53 is located on the left side (-Y side) of the lens cut 50, and connects the light incident surface 21 and the lens cut 50. The front-side optical surface 53 has a shape that extends diagonally forward to the right from one end 21a of the light incident surface 21 toward the decorative section 4 side, and then bends toward the light distribution section 3 side.

[0054] The front-side optical surface 53 emits a portion of the light L from the light source 10 that is incident from the light incident surface 21 toward the decorative portion 4. The front-side optical surface 53 refracts the light that is incident at an incident angle smaller than the critical angle, thereby emitting the light toward the decorative portion 4. Hereinafter, the portion of the light L from the light source 10 that is transmitted through the front-side optical surface 53 and emitted is referred to as a second decorative light L22.

[0055] Here, in order to make the decorative part 4 emit light uniformly over the entire left-right direction Y, it is necessary to efficiently make the second decorative light L22 incident up to the tip 4L side of the decorative part 4. Hereinafter, the position of the light source 10 with respect to the light guide lens 1 for making the decorative part 4 emit light uniformly will be described.

[0056] Fig. 5 is a top view showing the position of the light source 10 relative to the light guide lens 1. Note that Fig. 5 is a simplified view, and only the light emitting element 12 of the light source 10 is shown. 5, in the tail lamp 111 of the present embodiment, the optical axis 10L of the light source 10 is shifted toward the tip 4L of the decorative part 4 with respect to the center 21C of the light incident surface 21 of the introduction part 2 of the light guide lens 1. The optical axis 10L of the light source 10 coincides with the optical axis of the light emitting element 12.

[0057] As a comparative example, a case will be described in which the light source 10 is disposed with respect to the light guide lens 1 in a state in which the optical axis 10L of the light source 10 and the center 21C of the light entrance surface 21 of the introducing portion 2 are aligned. In this case, the second decorative light L220 emitted from the left end of the light-emitting element 12 is incident on the decoration-side incident surface 40 located to the right (+Y side) of the tip 4L of the decorative part 4. That is, in the comparative example, the second decorative light L220 cannot be efficiently incident on the tip 4L of the decorative part 4, and therefore the decorative part 4 cannot be made to emit light uniformly throughout the entire left-right direction Y.

[0058] In contrast, in the present embodiment, the optical axis 10L of the light source 10 is shifted toward the tip 4L of the decorative part 4 with respect to the center 21C of the light incident surface 21 of the introduction part 2, so that the second decorative light L22 can be incident near the tip 4L of the decorative part 4. That is, in the present embodiment, the second decorative light L22 is efficiently incident up to the tip 4L side of the decorative part 4, so that the decorative part 4 can emit light uniformly throughout the entire left-right direction Y.

[0059] In this embodiment, by shifting the optical axis 10L of the light source 10 toward the tip 4L of the decorative part 4 with respect to the center 21C of the light incident surface 21, a part of the light L emitted from the light source 10 can be made to directly enter the decoration-side incident surface 40 without passing through the introduction part 2. Hereinafter, the component of the light L emitted from the light source 10 that directly enters the decoration-side incident surface 40 is referred to as the third decorative light L23.

[0060] As described above, the decorative part 4 of this embodiment has the diffusion cuts 40a, 41a formed on both the decoration-side entrance surface 40 and the decoration-side exit surface 41, and therefore can sufficiently diffuse the third decorative light L23 directly incident on the decorative part 4 from the light source 10. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of a problem in which the luminance of the third decorative light L23 emitted from the decorative part 4 becomes locally high, even if part of the light L emitted from the light source 10 directly enters the decorative part 4.

[0061] Based on this configuration, the decorative portion 4 of this embodiment can uniformly emit decorative light L2, including first decorative light L21, second decorative light L22 and third decorative light L23, from the decoration side emission surface 41, as shown in Figure 4.

[0062] In the present embodiment, the front optical surface 53 of the introduction part 2 reflects a part of the light L from the light source 10 incident from the light incident surface 21 toward the rear part 23. The front optical surface 53 totally reflects, toward the rear part 23, the light incident at an incident angle larger than the critical angle.

[0063] Here, a reflection surface 60 and a reflection-cutting surface 61 are provided on the back surface 23 of the introduction section 2. That is, the introduction section 2 of this embodiment includes the reflection surface 60 and the reflection-cutting surface 61 provided on the surface opposite the slit section 5.

[0064] The reflective surface 60 is provided on the surface opposite to the slit portion 5, and is located closer to the light incident surface 21 than the reflection-cut surface 61 in the extending direction of the introduction portion 2 (left-right direction Y). The reflective surface 60 extends diagonally forward to the right from the other end 21b of the light incident surface 21 toward the decorative portion 4 side, and then has a shape that is bent toward the light distribution portion 3 side. The reflective surface 60 reflects a portion of the light that is incident from the light incident surface 21 and from the front-side optical surface 53.

[0065] As shown in Figure 4, a portion of the light reflected by the reflecting surface 60 (hereinafter referred to as the first reflected light L11) travels through the introduction section 2 along the first inclined surface 51, enters the light distribution section 3, and propagates through the light distribution section 3 to be emitted from the exit surface 31.

[0066] Note that another portion of the light reflected by the reflecting surface 60 (hereinafter referred to as second reflected light L12) is emitted from the light emission region 54 into the slit section 5. The second reflected light L12 emitted from the light emission region 54 passes through the slit section 5 along the first inclined surface 51, enters the light distribution section 3 from the second inclined surface 52, and propagates through the light distribution section 3 to be emitted from the emission surface 31 as illumination light L1.

[0067] According to the tail lamp 111 of the present embodiment, the second reflected light L12 emitted from the light emission region 54 to the slit portion 5 can be used as illumination light L1 by being incident on the light distribution portion 3. Therefore, the light L emitted from the light source 10 can be used efficiently.

[0068] Although not shown in the drawings, a part of the light reflected by the reflecting surface 60 enters the lens cut 50 and then enters the decorative portion 4, and may be emitted as decorative light L2.

[0069] As described above, the first reflected light L11 that is reflected by the reflective surface 60 and enters the light distribution section 3 is light that travels along the first inclined surface 51, and therefore enters at a position away from the boundary K between the decorative section 4 and the light distribution section 3.

[0070] In this embodiment, as described above, the decoration-side exit surface 41 of the decoration unit 4 and the exit surface 31 of the light distribution unit 3 are flush with each other, so the boundary portion K is located further forward than the introduction portion 2. Therefore, the first reflected light L11 is less likely to enter the boundary portion K, and the first reflected light L11 is less likely to be emitted to the outside from the boundary portion K. If the amount of light emitted to the outside from the boundary portion K decreases in this way, when the tail lamp 111 is turned on, the area corresponding to the boundary portion K may become relatively dark, resulting in uneven brightness.

[0071] In contrast, tail lamp 111 of the present embodiment has a reflection-cutting surface 61 that reflects light from front-side optical surface 53. Reflection-cutting surface 61 is provided on the surface opposite to slit portion 5, and reflects a portion of the light that is incident from light incident surface 21 and reflected by front-side optical surface 53 and incident thereon (hereinafter referred to as third reflected light L13) along second inclined surface 52.

[0072] The reflection-cutting surface 61 is provided so that at least a portion of it faces the first inclined surface 51 in the front-rear direction X. The reflection-cutting surface 61 is configured by providing a predetermined cut shape on the surface of the introduction section 2. In the case of this embodiment, the reflection-cutting surface 61 has the same cut shape as the reflection structure 32a provided on the propagation surface 32 of the light distribution section 3.

[0073] Here, the virtual line extending along the first inclined surface 51 toward the boundary K between the decorative portion 4 and the light distribution portion 3 is defined as the first virtual line VL1, and the virtual line extending along the second inclined surface 52 toward the boundary K between the decorative portion 4 and the light distribution portion 3 is defined as the second virtual line VL2.

[0074] In this embodiment, the inclination angle θ1 of the first inclined surface 51 with respect to the extension direction of the decorative portion 4 is gentler than the inclination angle θ2 of the second inclined surface 52 with respect to the extension direction of the decorative portion 4. Therefore, the second virtual line VL2 along the second inclined surface 52 passes closer to the boundary K between the decorative portion 4 and the light distribution portion 3 than the first virtual line VL1 along the first inclined surface 51. Therefore, the third reflected light L13 reflected by the reflection-cut surface 61 and traveling along the second inclined surface 52 can be incident closer to the boundary K than the first reflected light L11 traveling along the first inclined surface 51. In this embodiment, for example, θ1 is set to about 40° and θ2 is set to about 70°. The inclination angles θ1 and θ2 change depending on the thickness of the light-guiding lens 1 and the position of the introduction section 2 in the front-to-rear direction X. However, as long as the relationship θ1<θ2 is maintained, it becomes possible to guide the second reflected light L12 reflected by the reflective cut surface 61 along the second inclined surface 52 toward the boundary K between the decorative section 4 and the light distribution section 3, thereby suppressing uneven brightness at the boundary K.

[0075] In this manner, according to the tail lamp 111 of the present embodiment, the third reflected light L13, which is a part of the light incident from the light incident surface 21, can be reflected by the reflection cut surface 61 along the second inclined surface 52, so that the third reflected light L13 can be incident near the boundary K. This allows the third reflected light L13 to be emitted forward as a part of the illumination light L1 from the light exit surface in the area corresponding to the boundary K. Thus, by suppressing a reduction in the amount of light emitted from the boundary K, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of uneven brightness due to the boundary K becoming dark when the tail lamp 111 is turned on, thereby enabling the decorative section 4 and the light distribution section 3 to emit light uniformly throughout.

[0076] Furthermore, in the tail lamp 111 of this embodiment, the light exit surfaces of the decorative portion 4 and the light distribution portion 3 are formed flush with each other, so that deterioration in appearance when the tail lamp is not lit can be suppressed. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a tail lamp 111 that looks good when not lit and achieves uniform light emission.

[0077] Furthermore, the tail lamp 111 of this embodiment is prevented from becoming large in size in the left-right direction Y by disposing the light source 10 on the rear side (-X side) of the light guide lens 1. Therefore, according to the tail lamp unit 100 shown in Fig. 1, the tail lamp 111 can be disposed close to the second tail lamp 121 of the rear control lamp 120 in the left-right direction Y. This reduces the amount of darkness in the gap between the second tail lamp 121 and the tail lamp 111, and thus creates a smooth connection between the second tail lamp 121 and the tail lamp 111 when they are turned on.

[0078] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the illuminance distribution of the tail lamp 111. Fig. 6 shows the results of a simulation of the illuminance distribution on a virtual screen facing the tail lamp 111. 6, the tail lamp 111 has a uniform illuminance distribution in the left-right direction Y, with the decrease in luminance suppressed in the portion corresponding to the boundary K between the decorative portion 4 and the light distribution portion 3. Therefore, the tail lamp 111 of this embodiment can form a uniform illuminance distribution in the left-right direction Y.

[0079] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the content of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0080] For example, in the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the tail lamp 111 mounted on the tail lamp unit 100, but the vehicle lamp to which the present invention is applied is not limited to this.

[0081] Furthermore, the vehicular lamp of the present invention is suitable as a vehicular lamp used in places where there is limited space on the light entrance side of the light guide lens, such as a daytime running lamp (DRL) placed near the boundary between the headlamp and the grill portion.

[0082] Furthermore, the vehicle lamp of the present invention can be widely applied to, for example, turn lamps, width lamps (position lamps), back lamps, stop lamps, etc. in addition to daytime running lamps (DRLs). [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1...light-guiding lens, 2...introduction section, 3...light distribution section, 4L...tip (tip of decoration), 4...decoration section, 5...slit section, 10...light source, 10L...optical axis, 11...substrate, 12...light-emitting element, 21...light entrance surface, 21C...center, 31...exit surface, 50...lens cut, 51...first inclined surface, 52...second inclined surface, 54...light exit area, 60...reflecting surface, 61...reflective cut surface, L...light (light from light source), L1...illumination light, L2...decorative light, θ1, θ2...tilt angles.

Claims

1. A light source and a light guide lens that guides light from the light source, The light guiding lens is An introduction section that introduces light from the light source; a light distribution unit connected to the introduction unit and configured to emit a portion of the light introduced from the introduction unit as illumination light; a decorative portion connected to the light distribution portion and configured to emit another portion of the light introduced from the introduction portion as decorative light; A slit portion separating the introduction portion and the decorative portion, The introduction section is a light incident surface on which light from the light source is incident; A lens cut that emits a portion of light from the light source and causes the light to enter the decorative portion through the slit portion; A first inclined surface located on the light distribution portion side relative to the lens cut; a second inclined surface connecting the first inclined surface and the decorative portion; a reflection cut surface provided on a surface opposite to the slit portion and configured to reflect a portion of the light incident from the light incident surface along the second inclined surface, An inclination angle of the first inclined surface with respect to the extension direction of the decorative portion is gentler than an inclination angle of the second inclined surface with respect to the extension direction of the decorative portion. Vehicle lighting fixtures.

2. A light source and a light guide lens that guides light from the light source, The light guiding lens is An introduction section that introduces light from the light source; a light distribution unit connected to the introduction unit and configured to emit a portion of the light introduced from the introduction unit as illumination light; a decorative portion connected to the light distribution portion and configured to emit another portion of the light introduced from the introduction portion as decorative light; A slit portion separating the introduction portion and the decorative portion, The introduction section is a light incident surface on which light from the light source is incident; A lens cut that emits a portion of light from the light source and causes the light to enter the decorative portion through the slit portion; A first inclined surface located on the light distribution portion side relative to the lens cut; a second inclined surface connecting the first inclined surface and the decorative portion; a reflection cut surface provided on a surface opposite to the slit portion and configured to reflect a portion of the light incident from the light incident surface along the second inclined surface; a reflection surface provided on a surface opposite to the slit portion and positioned closer to the light incident surface than the reflection-cutting surface, Vehicle lighting fixtures.

3. A light source and a light guide lens that guides light from the light source, The light guiding lens is An introduction section that introduces light from the light source; a light distribution unit connected to the introduction unit and configured to emit a portion of the light introduced from the introduction unit as illumination light; a decorative portion connected to the light distribution portion and configured to emit another portion of the light introduced from the introduction portion as decorative light; A slit portion separating the introduction portion and the decorative portion, The introduction section is a light incident surface on which light from the light source is incident; A lens cut that emits a portion of light from the light source and causes the light to enter the decorative portion through the slit portion; A first inclined surface located on the light distribution portion side relative to the lens cut; a second inclined surface connecting the first inclined surface and the decorative portion; a reflection cut surface provided on a surface opposite to the slit portion and configured to reflect a portion of the light incident from the light incident surface along the second inclined surface, At least a portion of the reflection-cutting surface faces the first inclined surface. Vehicle lighting fixtures.

4. A light source and a light guide lens that guides light from the light source, The light guiding lens is An introduction section that introduces light from the light source; a light distribution unit connected to the introduction unit and configured to emit a portion of the light introduced from the introduction unit as illumination light; a decorative portion connected to the light distribution portion and configured to emit another portion of the light introduced from the introduction portion as decorative light; A slit portion separating the introduction portion and the decorative portion, The introduction section is a light incident surface on which light from the light source is incident; A lens cut that emits a portion of light from the light source and causes the light to enter the decorative portion through the slit portion; A first inclined surface located on the light distribution portion side relative to the lens cut; a second inclined surface connecting the first inclined surface and the decorative portion; a reflection cut surface provided on a surface opposite to the slit portion and configured to reflect a portion of the light incident from the light incident surface along the second inclined surface, The introduction portion further includes a light exit region located between the lens cut and the first inclined surface and configured to exit another portion of the light incident from the light incident surface, The light emitted from the light emitting region passes through the slit portion along the first inclined surface and enters the light distribution portion from the second inclined surface. Vehicle lighting fixtures.

5. A light source and a light guide lens that guides light from the light source, The light guiding lens is An introduction section that introduces light from the light source; a light distribution unit connected to the introduction unit and configured to emit a portion of the light introduced from the introduction unit as illumination light; a decorative portion connected to the light distribution portion and configured to emit another portion of the light introduced from the introduction portion as decorative light; A slit portion separating the introduction portion and the decorative portion, The introduction section is a light incident surface on which light from the light source is incident; A lens cut that emits a portion of light from the light source and causes the light to enter the decorative portion through the slit portion; A first inclined surface located on the light distribution portion side relative to the lens cut; a second inclined surface connecting the first inclined surface and the decorative portion; a reflection cut surface provided on a surface opposite to the slit portion and configured to reflect a portion of the light incident from the light incident surface along the second inclined surface, The optical axis of the light source is shifted toward the tip side of the decorative portion with respect to the center of the light entrance surface of the introduction portion. Vehicle lighting fixtures.

6. The decorative portion emits the decorative light in an emission direction of the illumination light in the light distribution portion. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The light source includes a substrate and a light emitting element provided on a first surface of the substrate, The light source is disposed with respect to the light guide lens such that the first surface of the substrate is aligned with an extension direction of the light guide lens. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The light distribution portion and the decorative portion have light exit surfaces flush with each other. The vehicular lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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