Vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting fixture that is configured to emit outgoing light from a light source to the front of the lighting fixture through a light guide body such that the light guide body appears to shine even at its outer peripheral edge part.SOLUTION: A light guide body 30 is configured to totally reflect outgoing light from a light emitting element 22 which impinges on its center region 32 toward a peripheral region 34, and a plurality of incidence control elements 34S for incidence control over direct light from the light emitting element 22 are formed on a rear face of the peripheral region 34, side by side, from an inner peripheral side to an outer peripheral side. The plurality of incidence control elements 34S each comprises a second incidence surface 34S1 on which the direct light from the light emitting element 22 impinges and a second reflection surface 34S2 which totally reflects the incident light to the front of the lighting fixture, and are so arranged that the totally reflected light from the center region 32 can impinge on the second reflection surface 34S2. Consequently, bright light traveling from the light emitting element 22 toward the center region 32 of the light guide body 30 is distributed to the peripheral region 34.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a light guide.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a configuration of such a vehicle lamp in which a plurality of incident control elements for controlling the incidence of direct light from a light source are formed on the rear surface of a light guide in a line from the inner periphery to the outer periphery.

[0004] Each of the multiple incident control elements described in Patent Document 1 is configured to have an incident surface that allows direct light from the light source to enter, and a reflecting surface that totally reflects the light from the light source that enters from this incident surface toward the front of the lamp. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-187859 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] By adopting the configuration described in the above-mentioned "Patent Document 1," it is possible to use the direct light emitted from the light source toward the front of the lamp as forward illumination light over a wide range.

[0007] However, in such vehicle lighting fixtures, of the direct light emitted from the light source toward the front of the lighting fixture, there is often insufficient light intensity that is directed toward the outer edge of the light guide, and as a result, it is not easy to make the light guide appear bright all the way to its outer edge.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp that is configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp through a light guide, and that can make the light guide appear to be brightly lit all the way to its outer periphery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention aims to achieve the above object by devising a light guide structure.

[0010] That is, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is A vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source toward a front of the lamp through a light guide, The light guide includes a central region located in front of the light source and a peripheral region located around the central region, the central region includes a first incident surface that receives direct light from the light source and a first reflecting surface that totally reflects the light from the light source that has entered through the first incident surface toward the peripheral region; a plurality of incident control elements for controlling the incidence of direct light from the light source are formed on a rear surface of the peripheral area in a state of being aligned from an inner circumferential side to an outer circumferential side of the peripheral area, Each of the plurality of incidence control elements includes a second incidence surface that allows direct light from the light source to be incident thereon, and a second reflection surface that totally reflects the light from the light source that is incident from the second incidence surface toward a front of the lamp, Each of the plurality of incidence control elements is characterized in that it is arranged at a position where the light from the light source that is totally reflected by the first reflecting surface can be incident on the second reflecting surface.

[0011] The type of the "vehicle lamp" is not particularly limited, and for example, a tail lamp, a clearance lamp, a front turn signal lamp, etc. can be used.

[0012] The type of the "light source" is not particularly limited, and for example, a light emitting diode, a light source bulb, or the like can be used.

[0013] The specific range and outer shape of each of the "central region" and "peripheral region" are not particularly limited. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The vehicle lamp of the present invention comprises a light guide, which has a central region and a peripheral region, and on the rear surface of the peripheral region, a plurality of incident control elements for controlling the incidence of direct light from the light source are formed in a state where they are lined up from the inner side to the outer side, and each of the plurality of incident control elements has a second incident surface that allows direct light from the light source to enter, and a second reflecting surface that totally reflects the light from the light source that enters from this second incident surface towards the front of the lamp, so that the light emitted from the light source towards the front of the lamp can be used as forward illumination light over a wide range.

[0015] Furthermore, the central region of the light guide has a first incident surface that allows direct light from the light source to enter, and a first reflecting surface that totally reflects the light from the light source that enters from this first incident surface toward the peripheral region, and each of the multiple incident control elements is positioned at a position where the light from the light source that is totally reflected by the first reflecting surface in the central region can enter the second reflecting surface, so that the light from the light source that is totally reflected by the first reflecting surface in the central region can also be used as forward illumination light from the peripheral region.

[0016] By redirecting the bright light from the light source toward the central region of the light guide toward the peripheral region in this manner, the forward illumination light from the peripheral region can be significantly increased, thereby making the light guide appear bright all the way to its outer periphery.

[0017] Thus, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp through a light guide, the light guide can be made to appear bright all the way to its outer periphery.

[0018] In the above configuration, if each of the multiple incident control elements is configured so that the second reflecting surface is an inclined surface that is inclined toward the outer periphery toward the front of the lamp, and the outer periphery region is formed at a larger inclination angle than the inner periphery region, the following effects can be obtained.

[0019] That is, the light from the light source that is totally reflected by the first reflective surface in the central region is incident on the outer peripheral region of the second reflective surface of each of the plurality of incidence control elements, and since this outer peripheral region is formed at a larger inclination angle than the inner peripheral region, the light from the light source that is incident on the second incident surface in the peripheral region and then totally reflected by the inner peripheral region of the second reflective surface and the light from the light source that is totally reflected by the first reflective surface in the central region and then totally reflected by the outer peripheral region of the second reflective surface can be irradiated as light traveling in approximately the same direction close to the front direction of the lamp. This makes it possible to make the peripheral region of the light guide appear brightly illuminated throughout its entire area when viewed from the front of the lamp.

[0020] In this case, the specific ranges of the "inner peripheral region" and the "outer peripheral region" are not particularly limited, and the specific inclination angles of each are not particularly limited as long as the outer peripheral region is formed with a larger inclination angle than the inner peripheral region.

[0021] In the above configuration, if the multiple incident control elements are further arranged in a state where they are gradually displaced toward the front of the lamp from the inner side to the outer side of the peripheral region, the light from the light source that is totally reflected by the first reflecting surface in the central region can be efficiently made incident on the second reflecting surface.

[0022] In the above configuration, if a plurality of emission control elements for controlling the emission of light from the light source that has been totally reflected by the second reflecting surfaces of the plurality of incidence control elements are arranged in a line from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the peripheral region on the front surface of the peripheral region, it becomes possible to accurately control the light distribution by the light guide. In this case, if at least one of the plurality of emission control elements located on the outer periphery of the peripheral region is configured to deflect and emit light from the light source that has been totally reflected by the second reflecting surface in a direction closer to the central region, it is possible to prevent the forward illumination light from the peripheral region from being inadvertently blocked by another lamp component even if the other lamp component is arranged around the light guide.

[0023] In the above configuration, if the light source is further configured as a light-emitting element arranged with its light-emitting surface facing forward of the lamp, the light distribution of the light emitted from this light-emitting element will be such that the intensity of the light emitted toward the central region of the light guide, which is located approximately perpendicular to the light-emitting surface, will be greater, while the intensity of the light emitted toward the peripheral region of the light guide will be significantly smaller.Therefore, it is particularly effective to adopt a configuration in which the light from the light-emitting element, which is totally reflected by the first reflecting surface in the central region, is used as forward-illuminating light from the peripheral region, as in the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] Cross section of line II-II in Figure 1 [Figure 3] Detailed view of part III in Figure 2 [Figure 4] Detailed view of part IV in Figure 3 [Figure 5] Detailed view of V section in Figure 4 [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing light distribution control performed in a peripheral region of the light guide of the vehicle lamp. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a first modified example of the embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a second modification of the embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.

[0027] 1 and 2, the direction indicated by X is the "forward" direction of the vehicular lamp 10 ("forward" also from the vehicle's perspective), the direction indicated by Y is the "leftward" direction of the vehicular lamp 10 ("leftward" also from the vehicle's perspective), and the direction indicated by Z is the "upward" direction. This is the same in other figures than FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0028] 1 and 2, a vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment is a front turn signal lamp disposed at the front of a vehicle, and is configured such that a light source unit 20, a light guide 30, a holder panel 40, and an extension panel 50 are incorporated into a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a transparent cover 14 attached to the front end opening of the lamp body 12. The vehicle lamp 10 is configured so that light emitted from the light source unit 20 is irradiated forward via the light guide 30.

[0029] The light source unit 20 has a configuration in which a light-emitting element 22 serving as a light source is supported by a plug 26 via a substrate 24. The light source unit 20 is supported by the holder panel 40 in a light source support hole 40a formed in the holder panel 40. This support is achieved by inserting the front end of the plug 26 into the light source support hole 40a from the rear side of the lamp and then rotating it a predetermined amount to fit it into the holder panel 40. To ensure this fitting is performed reliably, a packing 28 is attached to the plug 26. In addition, a plurality of heat dissipation fins 26a are formed at the rear of the plug 26.

[0030] The holder panel 40 is supported by the lamp body 12 at its outer periphery.

[0031] The light-emitting element 22 is an amber-colored light-emitting diode having a square light-emitting surface 22a, and is configured so that when the light source unit 20 is supported by the holder panel 40, the light-emitting surface 22a faces forward of the lamp (specifically, in the front direction of the lamp).

[0032] The light guide 30 is a transparent resin molded product made of acrylic (PMMA) resin, polycarbonate (PC) resin, or the like, and is configured to guide the light emitted from the light emitting element 22. The light guide 30 has a central region 32 located in the front direction of the lamp relative to the light emitting element 22, a peripheral region 34 located around the central region 32, and an outer peripheral wall portion 36 located around the peripheral region 34, and is supported by a holder panel 40 at the outer peripheral wall portion 36.

[0033] The central region 32 is formed around a reference axis Ax that passes through the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 22 and extends in the front-rear direction of the lamp, and has a circular outer shape when the lamp is viewed from the front.

[0034] The central part of the central region 32 is configured as a transmission control unit 32A that controls the transmission of direct light from the light-emitting element 22, and its outer periphery is configured as a reflection control unit 32B that controls the reflection of direct light from the light-emitting element 22.

[0035] The rear surface of the central region 32 is configured as a first incident surface 32a that allows direct light from the light emitting center of the light emitting element 22 to enter as light parallel to the reference axis Ax.

[0036] The front surface of the transmission control portion 32A in the central region 32 is configured as a first emission surface 32Aa that emits the direct light from the light emitting element 22 that is incident through the first incident surface 32a in a direction that spreads slightly with respect to the direction parallel to the reference axis Ax. The first emission surface 32Aa is formed in a stepped shape with its outer periphery displaced toward the front of the lamp relative to its center.

[0037] The front surface of the reflection control portion 32B in the central region 32 is configured as a first reflection surface 32Ba that totally reflects the direct light from the light emitting element 22 that is incident from the first incident surface 32a toward the peripheral region .

[0038] Specifically, the first reflecting surface 32Ba is configured as a conical surface with the reference axis Ax as its central axis, so that the incident light from the first incident surface 32a that reaches the first reflecting surface 32Ba is totally reflected radially outward from the reference axis Ax. At this time, the inclination angle of the first reflecting surface 32Ba is set so that the incident light from the first incident surface 32a is totally reflected in a direction slightly toward the rear of the lamp with respect to a vertical plane perpendicular to the reference axis Ax.

[0039] The peripheral region 34 has an outer shape of a horizontally elongated rectangle centered on the reference axis Ax when the lamp is viewed from the front.

[0040] On the rear surface of the peripheral region 34, a plurality of incident control elements 34S for controlling the incidence of direct light from the light emitting elements 22 are formed in a line from the inner periphery side to the outer periphery side of the peripheral region 34.

[0041] Specifically, the multiple incidence control elements 34S are formed to extend in an annular shape around the reference axis Ax when viewed from the front of the lamp, and the multiple incidence control elements 34S are formed to have substantially the same cross-sectional shape and a substantially constant width.

[0042] Each of the multiple incident control elements 34S has a second incident surface 34S1 that allows direct light from the light-emitting element 22 to enter, and a second reflecting surface 34S2 that totally reflects the light from the light-emitting element 22 that enters from this second incident surface 34S1 toward the front of the lamp.

[0043] Each of the plurality of incidence control elements 34S is disposed at a position where the light from the light emitting element 22 that is totally reflected by the first reflecting surface 32Ba of the central region 32 can be incident on the second reflecting surface 34S2.

[0044] To easily achieve this, the multiple incidence control elements 34S are arranged in a state where they are gradually displaced toward the front of the lamp from the inner periphery side to the outer periphery side of the peripheral region 34. Specifically, the multiple incidence control elements 34S are arranged along a conical surface that is inclined toward the front of the lamp by about 5 to 10 degrees with respect to a vertical plane orthogonal to the reference axis Ax.

[0045] A plurality of emission control elements 34E1, 34E2 for controlling the emission of light from the light-emitting elements 22 that has been totally reflected by the second reflecting surfaces 34S2 of the plurality of incidence control elements 34S are formed side by side from the inner circumferential side to the outer circumferential side of the peripheral region 34. These emission control elements 34E1, 34E2 are allocated to a plurality of fan-shaped segments that are further divided at equal angles in the circumferential direction into a plurality of annular regions that extend concentrically about the reference axis Ax when viewed from the front of the lamp.

[0046] The plurality of emission control elements 34E1, 34E2 are formed at positions that substantially overlap the plurality of incidence control elements 34S when the lamp is viewed from the front. That is, the plurality of emission control elements 34E1, 34E2 are formed with a substantially constant width in the radial direction.

[0047] The plurality of emission control elements 34E1, 34E2 are configured to emit the light from the light-emitting element 22 that has been totally reflected by the second reflecting surface 34S2 in a direction closer to the reference axis Ax toward the front of the lamp. In this case, the cross-sectional shape of the emission control element 34E2 located on the outer periphery of the peripheral region 34 is set so that the deflected emission angle in the direction closer to the reference axis Ax is larger than that of the emission control element 34E1 located closer to the inner periphery of the peripheral region 34.

[0048] Each of the plurality of emission control elements 34E1, 34E2 is configured to emit the light from the light emitting element 22 that has been totally reflected by the second reflecting surface 34S2 as light that is diffused in the circumferential direction about the reference axis Ax.

[0049] The outer peripheral wall 36 of the light guide 30 is formed so as to extend in a direction slightly inclined outward from the outer peripheral edge of the peripheral region 34 toward the front of the lamp. The outer peripheral wall 36 is formed so as to extend in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape along the outer peripheral shape of the peripheral region 34 when the lamp is viewed from the front.

[0050] The extension panel 50 is formed so as to extend in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape along the front end face of the outer peripheral wall portion 36 of the light guide 30 when the lamp is viewed from the front. The extension panel 50 has a horizontally elongated rectangular opening 50a that is slightly smaller than the outer shape of the peripheral region 34 of the light guide 30. The extension panel 50 is formed so as to expand outward from the opening 50a towards the rear of the lamp, and is supported by the lamp body 12 with its rear end abutting against the holder panel 40.

[0051] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of part III in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a detailed view of part IV in FIG.

[0052] As shown in Figure 3, in each of the multiple incidence control elements 34S, the second incidence surface 34S1 is formed in an approximately conical shape as an inclined surface that slopes inward toward the front of the lamp, and the second reflection surface 34S2 is formed in an approximately conical shape as an inclined surface that slopes outward toward the front of the lamp.

[0053] The rear end 34Sa of each of the plurality of incidence control elements 34S has a rounded cross-sectional shape, while the connecting portions between the plurality of incidence control elements 34S have a pin-shaped cross-sectional shape that is almost not rounded.

[0054] The second reflecting surface 34S2 is formed such that the angle of inclination of its outer peripheral region 34S2B is greater than that of its inner peripheral region 34S2A. The angle of inclination of the inner peripheral region 34S2A of the second reflecting surface 34S2 is greater than that of the second entrance surface 34S1.

[0055] As shown in Figure 4, the outer peripheral region 34S2B of the second reflecting surface 34S2 is formed over the maximum range in which light from the light-emitting element 22 that is totally reflected by the first reflecting surface 32Ba of the central region 32 (hereinafter simply referred to as "reflected light B") can be incident on the second reflecting surface 34S2, and the remaining region is formed as the inner peripheral region 34S2A.

[0056] Each of the multiple incident control elements 34S is configured to totally reflect reflected light B from the central region 32 toward the front of the lamp in the outer peripheral region 34S2B of its second reflecting surface 34S2, and to totally reflect light from the light-emitting element 22 incident from the second incident surface 34S1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "direct light A") toward the front of the lamp in the inner peripheral region 34S2A of its second reflecting surface 34S2.

[0057] Figure 5 is a detailed view of part V in Figure 4, where Figure 5(a) shows the optical path of reflected light B from the central region 32, Figure 5(b) shows the optical path of direct light A from the light-emitting element 22, and Figure 5(c) shows both at the same time.

[0058] 5(a), the reflected light B from the central region 32 reaches the outer peripheral region 34S2B of the second reflecting surface 34S2 as substantially parallel light, and after being totally reflected by this outer peripheral region 34S2B, continues to travel toward the front of the lamp as substantially parallel light. The inclination angle of the outer peripheral region 34S2B is set so that the totally reflected light from this outer peripheral region 34S2B travels in a direction slightly inclined inward with respect to the front direction of the lamp.

[0059] 5(b), the direct light A from the light-emitting element 22 reaches the second incident surface 34S1 as light that is slightly more divergent than parallel light, then reaches the inner peripheral region 34S2A of the second reflecting surface 34S2 as light that is slightly more divergent than parallel light from the second incident surface 34S1, and after being totally reflected by the inner peripheral region 34S2A, travels forward of the lamp as light that is still slightly more divergent than parallel light. The inclination angle of the inner peripheral region 34S2A is set so that the totally reflected light from the inner peripheral region 34S2A travels in a direction that is slightly inclined inward relative to the front direction of the lamp.

[0060] However, the direct light A that reaches the rear end 34Sa of the incident control element 34S enters through the second incident surface 34S1, converges once, and then reaches the inner region 34S2A of the second reflecting surface 34S2 as diffused light. After being totally reflected by this inner region 34S2A, the diffused light travels forward toward the lamp.

[0061] Therefore, the total reflected light from the entire inner peripheral region 34S2A is a mixture of approximately parallel light that travels in a direction slightly inclined toward the inner peripheral side relative to the front direction of the lamp, and diffused light that spreads toward the inner peripheral side and outer peripheral side relative to the front direction of the lamp.

[0062] As shown in Figure 5(c), the total reflected light from the entire second reflecting surface 34S2 is a mixture of light derived from reflected light B, which travels from the outer peripheral region 34S2B as approximately parallel light in a direction close to the front of the lamp, and light derived from direct light A, which travels from the inner peripheral region 34S2A as approximately parallel light and diffused light in a direction close to the front of the lamp.

[0063] Fig. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing the light distribution control performed in the peripheral region 34 of the light guide 30 for light emitted from the light emitting element 22. Fig. 6(a) is a diagram showing the light distribution control for reflected light B from the central region 32, Fig. 6(b) is a diagram showing the light distribution control for direct light A from the light emitting element 22, and Fig. 6(c) is a diagram showing both of them at the same time.

[0064] 6(a), reflected light B from the central region 32 is totally reflected by the second reflecting surfaces 34S2 of the multiple incidence control elements 34S, and then reaches the front surface of the peripheral region 34 as substantially parallel light traveling in a direction slightly closer to the inner periphery of the lamp with respect to the front direction of the lamp. Then, light that reaches the formation region of the emission control elements 34E1 is emitted toward the front of the lamp as substantially parallel light that is slightly deflected by the emission control elements 34E1 in a direction closer to the reference axis Ax, and light that reaches the formation region of the emission control elements 34E2 located on the outer periphery thereof is emitted toward the front of the lamp as substantially parallel light that is relatively greatly deflected by the emission control elements 34E2 in a direction closer to the reference axis Ax.

[0065] 6(b), the direct light A from the light-emitting element 22 is totally reflected by the second reflecting surfaces 34S2 of the multiple incidence control elements 34S, and then reaches the front surface of the peripheral region 34 as a mixture of diffused light and substantially parallel light that is slightly deflected in a direction closer to the reference axis Ax. The light that reaches the formation region of the emission control element 34E1 is emitted forward of the lamp while being slightly deflected in a direction closer to the reference axis Ax, and the light that reaches the formation region of the emission control element 34E2 is emitted forward of the lamp while being relatively greatly deflected in a direction closer to the reference axis Ax.

[0066] As shown in Figure 6(c), the total reflected light from the entire second reflecting surface 34S2 is a mixture of light derived from reflected light B, which travels from the outer peripheral region 34S2B toward the front of the lamp as approximately parallel light, and light derived from direct light A, which travels from the inner peripheral region 34S2A toward the front of the lamp as approximately parallel light and diffused light.

[0067] At this time, the light originating from the reflected light B is emitted toward the front of the lamp as light brighter than the light originating from the direct light A.

[0068] Furthermore, when both the light derived from reflected light B and the light derived from direct light A are emitted from the formation area of the emission control element 34E2 toward the front of the lamp, they are deflected relatively greatly in a direction closer to the reference axis Ax, thereby preventing the light emitted from the light guide 30 from being blocked by the extension panel 50 (see Figure 3).

[0069] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0070] The vehicle lamp 10 of this embodiment comprises a light guide 30, which has a central region 32 and a peripheral region 34. On the rear surface of the peripheral region 34, a plurality of incident control elements 34S are formed in a state where they are arranged from the inner periphery to the outer periphery for controlling the incidence of direct light from the light-emitting element 22 serving as a light source. Each of the plurality of incident control elements 34S has a second incident surface 34S1 that allows the direct light from the light-emitting element 22 to enter, and a second reflecting surface 34S2 that totally reflects the light from the light-emitting element 22 that enters from this second incident surface 34S1 towards the front of the lamp. Therefore, the light emitted from the light-emitting element 22 towards the front of the lamp can be used as forward illumination light over a wide range.

[0071] Furthermore, the central region 32 of the light guide 30 has a first incident surface 32a that allows direct light from the light-emitting element 22 to enter, and a first reflecting surface 32Ba that totally reflects the light from the light-emitting element 22 that enters from this first incident surface 32a toward the peripheral region 34, and each of the multiple incident control elements 34S is positioned at a position where light from the light-emitting element 22 that is totally reflected by the first reflecting surface 32Ba of the central region 32 can enter the second reflecting surface 34S2, so that light from the light-emitting element 22 that is totally reflected by the first reflecting surface 32Ba of the central region 32 can also be used as forward illumination light from the peripheral region 34.

[0072] By redirecting the bright light from the light emitting element 22 toward the central region 32 of the light guide 30 toward the peripheral region 34 in this manner, the forward illumination light from the peripheral region 34 can be significantly increased, thereby making the light guide 30 appear bright all the way to its outer periphery.

[0073] Thus, according to this embodiment, in a vehicle lamp 10 configured to irradiate light emitted from the light-emitting element 22 toward the front of the lamp via the light guide 30, the light guide 30 can be made to appear bright all the way to its outer periphery.

[0074] In particular, in this embodiment, the configuration of each of the multiple incident control elements 34S is such that the second reflecting surface 34S2 is an inclined surface that is inclined toward the outer periphery toward the front of the lamp, and the outer periphery side region 34S2B of this second reflecting surface 34S2 is formed at a larger inclination angle than the inner periphery side region 34S2A, so that the following effects can be obtained.

[0075] That is, the light from the light-emitting element 22 that is totally reflected by the first reflecting surface 32Ba of the central region 32 is incident on the outer peripheral region 34S2B of the second reflecting surface 34S2 of each of the multiple incidence control elements 34S. However, since the outer peripheral region 34S2B is formed at a larger inclination angle than the inner peripheral region 34S2A, the light from the light-emitting element 22 that is incident on the second incident surface 34S1 of the peripheral region 34 and then totally reflected by the inner peripheral region 34S2A of the second reflecting surface 34S2 and the light from the light-emitting element 22 that is totally reflected by the first reflecting surface 32Ba of the central region 32 and then totally reflected by the outer peripheral region 34S2B of the second reflecting surface 34S2 can be irradiated as light traveling in approximately the same direction close to the front of the lamp. This makes it possible to make the peripheral region 34 of the light guide 30 appear brightly illuminated throughout its entire area when the lamp is viewed from the front.

[0076] In addition, in this embodiment, the multiple incident control elements 34S are arranged in a state where they are gradually displaced toward the front of the lamp from the inner side to the outer side of the peripheral region 34, so that light from the light-emitting element 22 that is totally reflected by the first reflecting surface 32Ba of the central region 32 can be efficiently made incident on the second reflecting surface 34S2.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a plurality of emission control elements 34E1, 34E2 for controlling the emission of light from the light-emitting element 22 that has been totally reflected by the second reflecting surfaces 34S2 of the plurality of incidence control elements 34S are formed on the front surface of the peripheral region 34, aligned from the inner side to the outer side of the peripheral region 34, so that light distribution control by the light guide 30 can be performed with high precision. Furthermore, the multiple emission control elements 34E1, 34E2 are configured to deflect the light from the light-emitting element 22 that has been totally reflected by the second reflecting surface 34S2 in a direction closer to the central region 32, and in this case, the emission control element 34E2 located on the outer edge of the peripheral region 34 is configured to greatly deflect the light from the light-emitting element 22 that has been totally reflected by the second reflecting surface 34S2 in a direction closer to the central region 32.Therefore, even though the extension panel 50 is arranged around the light guide 30 as a lamp component, it is possible to prevent the forward illumination light from the peripheral region 34 from being inadvertently blocked by this extension panel 50.

[0078] Furthermore, each of the multiple emission control elements 34E1, 34E2 is configured to emit light from the light-emitting element 22 that has been totally reflected by the second reflecting surface 34S2 as light that is diffused circumferentially with respect to the reference axis Ax, so that the peripheral region 34 of the light guide 30 can be made to appear to glow uniformly throughout its entire area not only when viewed from the front of the lamp but also when observed from a direction slightly tilted from the front of the lamp.

[0079] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment, the light-emitting element 22 is positioned with its light-emitting surface 22a facing forward of the lamp. Therefore, the light distribution of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 22 is such that the intensity of the light emitted toward the central region 32 of the light guide 30, which is located approximately perpendicular to the light-emitting surface 22a, is high, while the intensity of the light emitted toward the peripheral region 34 of the light guide 30 is significantly low. Therefore, it is particularly effective to adopt a configuration in which the light from the light-emitting element 22 that is totally reflected by the first reflecting surface 32Ba of the central region 32 is used as forward illumination light from the peripheral region 34, as in this embodiment.

[0080] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment, the light source is composed of the light-emitting element 22 of the light source unit 20. Therefore, even if there is variation in the light source luminous flux, it is possible to ensure appropriate light source luminous flux by replacing the light source unit 20. On the other hand, when the light source unit 20 is housed in a lamp chamber as in this embodiment, the lamp may be configured in such a way that replacement is not possible. In such cases, variation in the light source luminous flux is likely to cause variation in light distribution. However, as in this embodiment, by redirecting bright light from the light-emitting element 22 toward the central region 32 of the light guide 30 toward the peripheral region 34, the forward illumination light from the peripheral region 34 is significantly increased, making it possible for the light guide 30 to appear bright all the way to its outer periphery, even if there is some variation in the light source luminous flux.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the peripheral region 34 of the light guide 30 is described as having a horizontally elongated rectangular outer shape, but it is also possible to configure it to have other outer shapes (for example, an oval, a parallelogram, etc.).

[0082] In the above embodiment, the multiple incident control elements 34S are described as being formed in a concentric circle, but as long as they are formed in a line from the inner circumference side to the outer circumference side, it is also possible to form them in other arrangements (for example, vertical stripes or a grid pattern).

[0083] In the above embodiment, the light source unit 20 has been described as including a single light emitting element 22, but it is also possible to configure the light source unit 20 to include a plurality of light emitting elements 22.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the light source unit 20 is described as being supported by a holder panel 40 arranged inside the lamp chamber, but it is also possible to configure it to be supported by other lamp components (such as the lamp body 12).

[0085] In the above embodiment, the extension panel 50 is described as being arranged around the light guide 30, but it is also possible to arrange other lamp components (such as the flange portion of the inner lens) in this configuration, and even when such a configuration is adopted, it is possible to prevent the lamp components from inadvertently blocking the forward illumination light from the peripheral area 34 or generating stray light.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the vehicle lamp 10 is described as a front turn signal lamp installed at the front of the vehicle, but regardless of the location or function of the vehicle, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained by adopting a configuration similar to that of the above embodiment. For example, the vehicle lamp 10 can be used as a tail lamp, stop lamp, daytime running lamp, clearance lamp, etc. in addition to a front turn signal lamp. In this case, red or white light-emitting diodes, etc., can be used in addition to amber light-emitting diodes, depending on the function of each lamp.

[0087] Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0088] First, a first modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0089] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a main part of a light guide 130 according to this modification.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 7, the basic configuration of the light guide 130 of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the multiple incident control elements 134S formed on the rear surface of the peripheral region 134 is partially different from that of the above embodiment.

[0091] That is, in this modified example, multiple incident control elements 134S are formed in a line from the inner periphery side to the outer periphery side of the peripheral region 134, and each of these multiple incident control elements 134S is configured to have a second incident surface 134S1 that allows direct light A from a light-emitting element (not shown) to enter, and a second reflecting surface 134S2 that totally reflects the direct light A incident from this second incident surface 134S1 and the reflected light B from the central region (not shown) toward the front of the lamp, but the cross-sectional shape of the second reflecting surface 134S2 is different from that in the above embodiment.

[0092] Specifically, in the second reflecting surface 134S2 of this modified example, the outer peripheral region 134S2B is formed at a larger inclination angle than the inner peripheral region 134S2A, but differs from the above embodiment in that the outer peripheral region 134S2B and the inner peripheral region 134S2A have a cross-sectional shape connected by a continuous concave curve.

[0093] As shown in Figure 7(a), reflected light B reaches the outer peripheral region 134S2B of the second reflecting surface 134S2 as approximately parallel light, is totally reflected by this outer peripheral region 134S2B, which is formed in a concave curve, and then travels forward as light that is slightly diffused toward the inner and outer peripheral sides relative to the front direction of the lamp.

[0094] 7(b), the direct light A that reaches the second incident surface 134S1 as light that diverges slightly more than parallel light reaches the inner peripheral region 134S2A of the second reflecting surface 134S2 as light that diverges slightly more than parallel light from the second incident surface 134S1, is totally reflected by the inner peripheral region 134S2A formed in a concave curve, and then proceeds toward the front of the lamp as light that is relatively diffused toward the inner and outer peripheral sides with respect to the front direction of the lamp. Also, the direct light A that reaches the rear end 134Sa of the incidence control element 134S enters from the second incident surface 134S1, converges, and then reaches the inner peripheral region 134S2A of the second reflecting surface 134S2 as diffused light, is totally reflected by the inner peripheral region 134S2A formed in a concave curve, and then proceeds toward the front of the lamp as light that is relatively diffused toward the inner and outer peripheral sides with respect to the front direction of the lamp.

[0095] Therefore, even if light is totally reflected from the entire inner peripheral region 134S2A, it becomes light that is diffused relatively widely toward the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side relative to the front direction of the lamp.

[0096] As shown in Figure 7(c), the total reflected light from the entire second reflecting surface 134S2 is a mixture of light derived from reflected light B, which is diffused light with a relatively small spread from the outer peripheral region 134S2B in a direction close to the front of the lamp, and light derived from direct light A, which is diffused light with a relatively large spread from the inner peripheral region 134S2A in a direction close to the front of the lamp.

[0097] At this time, the light from reflected light B is totally reflected toward the front of the lamp as light brighter than the light from direct light A.

[0098] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, substantially the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0099] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the total reflected light from the entire second reflecting surface 134S2 can be made to spread more toward the inner and outer periphery than in the above embodiment, thereby enhancing the effect of making the peripheral region 134 of the light guide 130 appear to glow uniformly throughout its entire area not only when viewed from the front of the lamp but also when observed from a direction slightly tilted from the front of the lamp.

[0100] Next, a second modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0101] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a main part of a light guide 230 according to this modification.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 8, the basic configuration of the light guide 230 of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the multiple incident control elements 234S formed on the rear surface of the peripheral region 234 is partially different from that of the above embodiment.

[0103] That is, in this modified example, the multiple incident control elements 234S are also formed in a line from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the peripheral region 234, and each of the multiple incident control elements 234S is configured to have a second incident surface 234S1 that allows direct light A from a light-emitting element (not shown) to enter, and a second reflecting surface 234S2 that totally reflects the direct light A incident from this second incident surface 234S1 and the reflected light B from the central region (not shown) toward the front of the lamp, but the cross-sectional shape of the second reflecting surface 234S2 is different from that in the above embodiment.

[0104] Specifically, the second reflecting surface 234S2 of this modified example has its inner peripheral region 234S2A and outer peripheral region 234S2B formed with the same inclination angle, and the inclination angle is set to the same value as the inclination angle of the outer peripheral region 34S2B of the second reflecting surface 34S2 of the above embodiment.

[0105] Accordingly, each of the plurality of incidence control elements 234S has a rear end 234Sa that is less rounded than in the above embodiment and has a cross-sectional shape that is close to a pin-angle.

[0106] As shown in Figure 8(a), the reflected light B that reaches the outer peripheral region 234S2B of the second reflecting surface 234S2 as approximately parallel light is totally reflected by the outer peripheral region 234S2B, and then becomes approximately parallel light that travels in a direction slightly inclined inward relative to the front direction of the lamp, as in the above embodiment.

[0107] 8(b), the direct light A that reaches the second incident surface 234S1 as light that diverges slightly more than parallel light reaches the inner peripheral region 234S2A and the outer peripheral region 234S2B of the second reflecting surface 234S2 as light that diverges slightly more than parallel light from the second incident surface 234S1, and after being totally reflected by the second reflecting surface 234S2, becomes approximately parallel light that travels in a direction that is significantly inclined toward the outer periphery with respect to the front direction of the lamp. Also, the direct light A that reaches the rear end 234Sa of the incidence control element 234S enters from the second incident surface 234S1, converges once, and then reaches the inner peripheral region 234S2A and the outer peripheral region 234S2B of the second reflecting surface 234S2 as diffused light, and after being totally reflected by the two reflecting surfaces 234S2, becomes diffused light that travels in a direction that is significantly inclined toward the outer periphery with respect to the front direction of the lamp.

[0108] As shown in Figure 8(c), the total reflected light from the entire second reflecting surface 234S2 is a mixture of light derived from reflected light B, which is diffused light with a relatively small spread from the outer peripheral region 234S2B in a direction close to the front of the lamp, and light derived from direct light A, which is approximately parallel light and diffused light from the inner peripheral region 234S2A and the outer peripheral region 234S2B in a direction significantly inclined toward the outer periphery relative to the front of the lamp.

[0109] At this time, the light from reflected light B is totally reflected toward the front of the lamp as light brighter than the light from direct light A.

[0110] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, substantially the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0111] In addition, in this modified example, the bright light from reflected light B makes the peripheral area 34 appear to glow with a certain degree of brightness, and the light from direct light A makes the peripheral area 34 appear to glow even from a direction that is significantly tilted from the front of the lamp.

[0112] It should be noted that the numerical values shown as the specifications in the above embodiment and its modified examples are merely examples, and it goes without saying that these may be set to different values as appropriate.

[0113] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiment and its modifications, and various other modified configurations can be adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 10 Vehicle lighting fixtures 12 Lamp body 14 Translucent cover 20 Light source unit 22 Light-emitting element (light source) 22a Light-emitting surface 24 PCB 26 Plug 26a Heat dissipation fin 28 Gasket 30, 130, 230 light guide 32 Central area 32a 1st entrance plane 32A Transmission control section 32Aa 1st exit surface 32B Reflex control section 32Ba 1st reflective surface 34, 134, 234 surrounding areas 34E1, 34E2 Emission control elements 34S, 134S, 234S Incident control element 34Sa, 134Sa, 234Sa rear end 34S1, 134S1, 234S1 2nd entrance plane 34S2, 134S2, 234S2 2nd reflective surface 34S2A, 134S2A, 234S2A Inner area 34S2B, 134S2B, 234S2B outer area 36 Outer wall 40 Holder Panel 40a Light source support hole 50 Extension Panel 50a opening A Direct light Ax reference axis B Reflected light

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source toward a front of the lamp through a light guide, The light guide includes a central region located in front of the light source and a peripheral region located around the central region, the central region includes a first incident surface onto which direct light from the light source is incident, and a first reflecting surface that totally reflects the light from the light source that is incident from the first incident surface toward the peripheral region, a plurality of incident control elements for controlling the incidence of direct light from the light source are formed on a rear surface of the peripheral area in a state of being aligned from an inner circumferential side to an outer circumferential side of the peripheral area, Each of the plurality of incidence control elements includes a second incidence surface onto which direct light from the light source is incident, and a second reflection surface that totally reflects the light from the light source that is incident from the second incidence surface toward a front of the lamp, a first reflecting surface that reflects the incident light from the light source and is incident on the second reflecting surface; a second reflecting surface that reflects the incident light from the light source;

2. 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the second reflecting surface is configured as an inclined surface that is inclined outward toward the front of the lamp, and is formed with a larger inclination angle in the outer peripheral region than in the inner peripheral region.

3. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of incident control elements are arranged in a state where they are gradually displaced forward of the lamp from the inner periphery side to the outer periphery side of the peripheral region.

4. a plurality of emission control elements for controlling emission of light from the light source that has been totally reflected by the second reflecting surfaces of the plurality of incidence control elements are formed on the front surface of the peripheral region in a state of being aligned from the inner circumferential side to the outer circumferential side of the peripheral region, 4. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of emission control elements located on the outer peripheral edge of the peripheral region is configured to deflect and emit light from the light source that is totally reflected by the second reflecting surface in a direction closer to the central region.

5. 5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light source is a light-emitting element arranged with a light-emitting surface facing forward of the lamp.

Images