Vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

To provide an optical module for vehicular lighting fixture that can have the optimal heat radiation structure for respective optical functions such as a daytime running lamp (DRL), a position lamp (PL), a turn indicator (TI), etc.SOLUTION: A first optical function and a second optical function of executing respective functions of a daytime running lamp (DRL), a position lamp (PL), a turn indicator (TI), etc., are executed by LEDs 31, 32 consisting of light sources 1, 11, protection resins 2, 12 and light source plates 3, 13. The LED 31 for the first optical function is provided on a top surface of a heat sink 4 and the LED 32 for the second optical function is provided on a substrate 14 as a different body from the heat sink 4; and the substrate 14 is mounted on the top surface of the heat sink 4 at a position where the first optical function and second optical functions can be executed respectively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp, and more particularly to a vehicle lamp in which various optical functions are modularized. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicle lighting fixtures are required to use high-output, high-brightness light sources, and it is necessary to efficiently dissipate heat from the light sources. For example, in socket-type optical devices, many innovations have been developed to dissipate heat (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-253774 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Such optical devices incorporate various lighting functions, such as daytime running lamps (DRLs), position lamps (PLs), and turn indicators (TIs). Although the frequency of use, timing of use, and required luminous intensity of these lighting functions vary, there was no prior art that designed a heat dissipation structure while paying attention to the characteristics of such lighting functions.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to have an optimum heat dissipation structure for various optical functions.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to provide an optical module for vehicle lighting, focusing on the features of various optical functions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the optical module for vehicle lighting of the present invention, a first optical function is provided on the upper surface of a heat sink and a second optical function is provided on a substrate separate from the heat sink, and the substrate is mounted on the upper surface of the heat sink in a position where the first optical function and the second optical function can each be performed.

[0008] The substrate has an opening at a location other than the location where the second optical function is provided, and the first optical function performs the first optical function through the opening. Further, a protrusion is formed on the upper surface of the heat sink, the first optical function is provided on the upper surface of the protrusion, and the substrate is mounted on the upper surface of the heat sink so that the protrusion fits into the opening.

[0009] The vertical length of the protrusion is approximately the same as the thickness of the substrate, and the first light function is configured to have the same vertical height as the second light function, where the first light function is a daytime running lamp (DRL) and / or a position lamp (PL), and the second light function is a turn indicator (TI).

[0010] The first and second light functions are performed by an LED consisting of a light source, a protective resin, and a light source plate. The underside of the light source plate for the first light function is bonded to the upper surface of the heat sink with adhesive, and the underside of the light source plate for the second light function is bonded to the upper surface of the substrate with solder. The light source for the first light function is supplied with power via electrodes provided on the upper surface of the light source plate for the first light function, and the light source for the second light function is supplied with power via the soldered portion.

[0011] Such an optical module for vehicle lighting can also be applied to a socket-type optical device equipped with resin heat dissipation fins, in which case the heat sink of the optical module is made of aluminum and includes a plurality of heat dissipation fins extending from the surface opposite the top surface of the heat sink, and the interior of the socket-type optical device is formed by injection molding so that the heat dissipation fins fit into the interior.

[0012] Furthermore, a connector for receiving power from an external source may be provided on the substrate, and power may be supplied to the first optical function and the second optical function via this connector. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the optical module for a vehicle lamp of the present invention, a heat dissipation structure can be provided in accordance with various optical functions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an optical module for a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view of an optical module for a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a socket-type optical device 30 to which an optical module 300 of the present invention is applied. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the optical module 300. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a socket-type optical device 30. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the optical module 300. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how light generated in a socket-type optical device 30 is guided out. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view of a heat sink 84 with a substrate 814 attached thereto. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a heat sink 84 with a substrate 814 attached thereto. [Figure 10] 8 is a side view of the heat sink 84 with the substrate 814 attached, viewed from another direction. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of application in which the optical module of the present invention is applied to a frame for a vehicle lamp called LAG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an optical module for a vehicle lamp according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0016] Example 1 FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an optical module for a vehicle lamp according to a first embodiment. A white LED 31 is composed of a light source 1, a protective resin 2, and a light source plate 3, and this LED 31 performs a first optical function. The LED 31 is mounted on a protrusion 33 formed on an upper surface 41 of a heat sink 4. The lower surface of the light source plate 3 and the upper surface of the protrusion 33 formed on the upper surface 41 of the heat sink 4 are joined with an adhesive 5. In this way, the LED 31 is mounted on the heat sink 4 by a so-called submount. An electrode 6 is provided on the upper surface of the light source plate 3, and a wiring 7 is connected to this electrode 6. Power is supplied to the light source 1 via the wiring 7 and the electrode 6.

[0017] The LED 32 is composed of a light source 11, a protective resin 12, and a light source plate 13, and performs a second light function. The LED 32 is mounted on the upper surface of a substrate 14. The lower surface of the light source plate 13 and the upper surface of the substrate 14 are joined by soldering 15. Power is supplied to the light source 11 via this soldering 15.

[0018] An opening 34 is provided in the substrate 14 at a location other than where the LED 32 serving as the second light function of the substrate 14 is provided, and the substrate 14 is placed on the heat sink 4 with a protrusion 33 formed on the upper surface 41 of the heat sink 4 fitting into this opening 34. The upper surface 41 of the heat sink 4 and the lower surface of the substrate 14 are joined with an adhesive (or adhesive sheet) 17.

[0019] The vertical height of the protrusion 33 is approximately 1.1 mm, and the thickness of the substrate 14 is 1 mm. Therefore, the LEDs 31 and 32 are positioned at approximately the same height in the vertical direction, and the upper surfaces of the light sources 1 and 11 can be arranged to be approximately flush with each other.

[0020] 2 is a plan view of the optical module for a vehicle lamp of the present invention as seen from above. LED 31 is a single LED that functions as either a daytime running lamp (DRL) or a position lamp (PL). This single LED performs both functions, and can be achieved by adjusting the amount of current supplied to LED 32 using PWN so that the amount of current supplied when the daytime running lamp (DRL) is less than the amount of current supplied when the position lamp (PL) is used.

[0021] Next, as a second light function, a turn indicator is configured by three amber LEDs 321, 322, and 323. That is, the three LEDs 321, 322, and 323 function as lamps that indicate the direction the vehicle is heading by lighting up sequentially in the direction the vehicle is turning.

[0022] Generally, LEDs that function as daytime running lamps (DRLs) are lit for long periods of time with a large current, which generates a large amount of heat when lit, and therefore must be designed to have good heat dissipation efficiency. In this embodiment, lighting functions such as daytime running lamps (DRLs) are submounted (directly bonded with adhesive, etc.) to the heat sink, achieving a higher heat dissipation effect. On the other hand, lighting functions such as turn indicators, which are lit only when needed, do not require significant consideration of heat dissipation efficiency and are attached to the board by soldering.

[0023] In this embodiment, the first light function is explained as a daytime running lamp (DRL) or a position lamp (PL), and the second light function is explained as a turn indicator, but the present invention can be applied to other light functions (e.g., clearance lamps, etc.) in the same way as this embodiment. Also, depending on the lamp specifications, it is also possible to conversely set the first light function as a turn indicator and the second light function as a daytime running lamp (DRL) or a position lamp (PL).

[0024] In addition, in this embodiment, the opening 34 is provided in the substrate 14, but any other shape and arrangement may be used as long as the substrate 14 does not interfere with the first optical function. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the convex portion 33 is formed on the upper surface of the heat sink 4, and the LED 31 is provided on the upper surface of the convex portion 33 to align the vertical positions of the light sources 1, 11, but the upper surface 41 of the heat sink 4 may be made flat, and the substrate 14 with the LED 32 mounted thereon may be provided in a portion of the upper surface 41 other than the location where the LED 31 is provided.

[0025] (Application example 1) An example in which the optical module of the present invention is applied to a socket-type optical device will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 6. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a socket-type optical device 30 to which an optical module 300 of the present invention is applied, Figure 4 is a partially enlarged view of a portion of the optical module 300, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the socket-type optical device 30, and Figure 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the optical module 300.

[0026] In the socket-type optical device 30 shown in Figure 3, one side of the flange 301 is formed with a mounting surface 302 on which the optical module 300 is mounted, and the opposite side is formed with multiple resin fins 303 for dissipating heat generated by the optical device 30.

[0027] 4 is an enlarged view of the optical module portion, in which an LED 31 sub-mounted on a heat sink 4 is exposed from an opening 34 formed in a substrate 14 attached to the mounting surface 302. Power is supplied to an electrode 6 provided on a protective plate of the LED 31 via a wiring 7. LEDs 321 to 323 are also attached to the substrate 14 by soldering, and power is supplied via this soldering.

[0028] 5, the heat sink 4 has a plurality of aluminum heat dissipation fins 500 on the side opposite to the surface on which the LED 31 is mounted, and this heat sink 4 is incorporated into the socket-type optical device 30 made of resin. The entire container of the socket-type optical device 30 is formed by injection molding, and the interior is molded to receive the plurality of heat dissipation fins 500 of the heat sink 4, and similarly, the outer heat dissipation fins 303 are also molded by injection molding.

[0029] The material of the heat sink may be copper, which has a high thermal conductivity, or magnesium, which does not have as high a thermal conductivity as aluminum, or resin. In other words, a resin heat sink may be used.

[0030] 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the optical module portion. One white LED 31, which functions as a daytime running lamp or position lamp, is sub-mounted (fixed with adhesive) to a protrusion (corresponding to protrusion 33 in FIG. 1) of the heat sink 4, and three amber LEDs 32, which function as turn indicators, are soldered to the substrate 14.

[0031] 7 is a diagram showing how light generated in the socket-type optical device 30 is guided out. A light guide 70 is provided so that one end surface 71 thereof faces the light-emitting surfaces of the LEDs 31, 321, 322, and 323. The light guided out by the light guide 70 in this manner is used as daytime running lamps (DRLs), position lamps (PLs), and turn indicators (TIs) of the vehicle.

[0032] (Application example 2) An application example in which the optical module mounting surface of a heat sink on which an optical module of the present invention is mounted is made substantially rectangular and used as is in a vehicle lamp will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 11. Figure 8 is a side view of heat sink 84 with substrate 814 attached, Figure 9 is a perspective view of heat sink 84 with substrate 814 attached, Figure 10 is a side view from another direction of heat sink 84 with substrate 814 attached, and Figure 11 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of Figure 10.

[0033] 8 and 9, the shape of the top plate 841 of the heat sink 84 is approximately rectangular, and the substrate 814 is bonded onto this top plate 841 with an adhesive or an adhesive sheet. A connector 81 for supplying power and three LEDs 832 for the turn indicators are attached to the top surface of the substrate 814. Power is supplied via this connector 81 to one LED 831 for the daytime running lamp or position lamp and three LEDs 832 for the turn indicators. The heat sink 84 is made of aluminum, and six heat dissipation fins 85 extending from the surface of the top plate 841 opposite the surface on which the optical module is mounted are also made of aluminum.

[0034] 10 and 11, a large protrusion 842 is formed in the approximate center of an upper plate 841 of a heat sink 84, and one LED 831 is attached to the end face of this protrusion with an adhesive or the like. An electrode (equivalent to electrode 6 in FIG. 1) provided on this LED 831 is electrically connected to an electronic circuit on a substrate 814 via a wire 111 and an electrode 110 soldered onto the substrate, and power is supplied to this electronic circuit via a connector 81.

[0035] (Application example 3) 12 is a diagram showing an example of application of the optical module of the present invention to a frame for a vehicle lamp called a LAG. Three amber LEDs 1232 for the turn indicators are soldered to an electronic circuit board 121 attached to the LAG 120, and one LED 1231 for the daytime running lamp or position lamp is bonded with an adhesive or the like to the end face of a protrusion (equivalent to protrusion 842 in FIG. 11) of an aluminum heat sink plate attached to the back of the LAG. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1...Light source 2...Protective resin 3...Light source plate 4...Heat sink 41…Top surface 5...Adhesive 6...Electrode 7...Wiring 11...Light source 12...Protective resin 13...Light source plate 14...Substrate 15...Soldering 17...Adhesive (or adhesive sheet) 31...LED 32...LED 33...Convex part 34...Opening

Claims

1. a first optical feature disposed on the top surface of the heat sink; a second optical function provided on a substrate separate from the heat sink; a light guide that guides light emitted from the light source of the first optical function and the light source of the second optical function; Equipped with the substrate is mounted on the upper surface of the heat sink at a position where the first optical function and the second optical function can each be performed; the substrate has an opening in a portion other than the portion where the second optical function is provided, the first optical function performs the first optical function through the opening; the plurality of light sources constituting the second optical function are provided in an edge region on the substrate facing the opening, the light source of the first light function is provided in the opening and is supplied with power from wiring connected to the substrate on a side other than the side of the substrate adjacent to the light source of the second light function; The light guide is provided so that one end surface thereof faces the light emitting surfaces of the light source of the first light function and the light source of the second light function. An optical module for a vehicle lamp, comprising:

2. The light source of the first light function is one.

2. The optical module for a vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

3. The light source of the first optical function is connected to the wiring on the substrate on a side of the substrate that is away from the light source of the second optical function.

2. The optical module for a vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

4. The plurality of light sources of the second optical function are provided in a range overlapping with the width direction dimension of the opposing openings.

3. The optical module for a vehicle lamp according to claim 2.

5. A convex portion is formed on the upper surface of the heat sink, the convex portion fits into the opening, and the first optical function is provided on the upper surface of the convex portion.

2. The optical module for a vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

6. 10. A resin optical device incorporating the optical module for a vehicle lamp according to claim 1, a plurality of resin heat dissipation fins formed on the outer periphery of the optical device to dissipate heat into the atmosphere; a plurality of metal heat dissipation fins provided integrally with the heat sink on the side opposite to the substrate of the heat sink, the metal heat dissipation fins transmitting heat from the substrate to the resin heat dissipation fins; The optical device is molded so that the plurality of metal heat dissipation fins are received and fitted inside. An optical device characterized by:

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