Light source unit for vehicle lamp and vehicle lamp

Abstract

To provide a light source unit for a vehicular lighting fixture that can enhance light utilization efficiency when performing road surface drawing.SOLUTION: A light source unit for a vehicular lighting fixture comprises: a plurality of light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c; a plurality of lens bodies 3a, 3b, and 3c arranged in front of the plurality of light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c respectively; a circuit board 5 on which the plurality of light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c are mounted; a heat sink 7 for dissipating heat generated by the plurality of light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c to the outside via a board fitting part fitted with the circuit board 5; and a socket body 9 constituted integrally with the heat sink 7, and provided with a connector part electrically connected to the circuit board 5. Drawing patterns caused by light emission of the plurality of light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c are projected toward a road surface by the plurality of lens bodies 3a, 3b, and 3c.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a light source unit for a vehicle lamp and a vehicle lamp. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the number of vehicle lamps using light-emitting elements such as LEDs as light sources has been gradually increasing as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have become brighter and cheaper. LEDs have the advantage of a long lifespan and low power consumption. However, high temperatures can lead to a decrease in luminous efficiency and a shortened lifespan, so a heat sink is required to efficiently dissipate the heat generated by the LED to the outside.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below proposes a light source unit in which a circuit board on which an LED and a drive circuit for driving the LED are mounted is attached to a heat sink, and a coupler-equipped socket, which has this heat sink attached integrally with a connector part electrically connected to the circuit board, is removably attached to a mounting hole provided on the back side of the lamp body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-111465 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, in the vehicle lamp described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, road surface drawing is performed by projecting light onto the road surface in order to improve driving safety. Specifically, the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1 uses a light-blocking member provided with slits that partially transmit light collected by a collecting lens, and projects a drawing pattern that reflects the shape of the slits onto the road surface by a projection lens.

[0006] However, in the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1, a separate housing containing a condenser lens, a light blocking member, and a projection lens must be attached in front of the coupler-equipped socket, which increases the number of parts and the size of the lamp body. Also, light other than that passing through the slit is blocked by the light blocking member, which reduces the light utilization efficiency.

[0007] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and aims to provide a light source unit for a vehicle lamp that enables the efficiency of light utilization when performing road surface drawing, and a vehicle lamp equipped with such a light source unit for a vehicle lamp. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means. [1] A plurality of light sources; a plurality of lens bodies disposed in front of each of the plurality of light sources; a circuit board on which the plurality of light sources are mounted; a heat sink that dissipates heat generated by the plurality of light sources to the outside via a board mounting portion to which the circuit board is attached; a socket body that is integral with the heat sink and has a connector portion that is electrically connected to the circuit board; the plurality of light sources are arranged side by side in one direction within a plane of the circuit board, the plurality of lens bodies are arranged with the distances from the light sources varied for each of the light sources arranged in the one direction, The drawing pattern produced by the light emitted from the plurality of light sources is directed toward the road surface by the plurality of lens bodies. Arranged in the front-to-back direction A light source unit for a vehicle lamp, characterized by projecting light. [2] The light source unit for a vehicle lamp according to [1], characterized in that a drawing pattern reflecting a shape formed by the light emitted from the light source is projected onto a road surface. [3] A filter is disposed between the light source and the lens body, and has a transmission area that transmits the light emitted from the light source, The light source unit for a vehicle lamp according to [1] above, characterized in that a drawing pattern that reflects the shape of the transmission area is projected onto a road surface. 。 [ 4 The plurality of lens bodies have a relatively higher light-gathering power as the distance from the light source increases. Any one of [1] to [3] The light source unit for a vehicle lamp according to claim 1. [ 5 ] The above [1] to [2], characterized in that a lens holding part is provided in front of the light source and holds the lens body while surrounding the light source. 4 ] The light source unit for a vehicle lamp according to any one of the above items. [ 6 ] The above [1] to [ 5 10. A vehicle lamp comprising the light source unit for a vehicle lamp according to claim 9. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a light source unit for a vehicle lamp that enables the efficiency of light utilization when performing road surface drawing, as well as a vehicle lamp equipped with such a light source unit for a vehicle lamp. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a vehicle lamp including a light source unit for a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the light source unit for a vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the light source unit for a vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a perspective view showing the shape of a drawing pattern that reflects the shape of light emitted by a plurality of light sources from the light source unit for a vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 2 when projected onto a road surface by a plurality of lens bodies. FIG. [Figure 5]3 is a plan view showing the shape of a drawing pattern that reflects the shape of light emitted by a plurality of light sources projected onto a road surface by a plurality of lens bodies from the light source unit for a vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 2 as part of a backup lamp. [Figure 6] 3 is a plan view showing the shape of a drawing pattern that reflects the shape of light emitted by a plurality of light sources projected onto a road surface by a plurality of lens bodies as part of a turn signal from the light source unit for a vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 7] 3 is a perspective view showing another configuration of the light source unit for a vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 2.

[0023] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings used in the following explanation, the dimensions of the components may be shown at different scales to make them easier to see, and the dimensional ratios of the components may not necessarily be the same as in reality.

[0012] As one embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle lamp 100 including a light source unit for a vehicle lamp (hereinafter referred to as "light source unit") 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a vehicle lamp 100 equipped with a light source unit 1. As shown in FIG.

[0013] In addition, in the drawings shown below, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is set up, with the X-axis direction representing the front-to-rear direction (length direction) of the light source unit 1 (vehicle lamp 100), the Y-axis direction representing the left-to-right direction (width direction) of the light source unit 1 (vehicle lamp 100), and the Z-axis direction representing the up-to-down direction (height direction) of the light source unit 1 (vehicle lamp 100).

[0014] The vehicle lamp 100 of this embodiment is provided with a light source unit 1 that projects light onto the road surface when the vehicle is backing up, for example, as part of a backup lamp mounted on both corners of the rear end of the vehicle (not shown), and draws a road surface image using the light projected onto the road surface.

[0015] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" refer to the respective directions when the vehicle lamp 100 (light source unit 1) is viewed from the front (rear of the vehicle). Therefore, the respective directions when the vehicle is viewed from the front (front of the vehicle) are the reverse of the front, rear, left, and right directions.

[0016] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, this vehicle lamp 100 is configured such that the light source unit 1 of this embodiment is housed inside a lamp body 103 which is composed of a housing 101 which is open at the front (front face) and a transparent lens cover 102 which covers the opening of this housing 101.

[0017] The light source unit 1 is a socket with a replaceable coupler, and can be detachably attached through a mounting hole 101a provided on the rear side of the housing 101 (lamp body 103) with its front side inserted inside the lamp body 103, via a ring-shaped gasket (O-ring) 104 around the mounting hole 101a.

[0018] The specific configuration of the light source unit 1 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the light source unit 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the light source unit 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the shape of a drawing pattern that reflects the shape created by the light emitted from the multiple light sources from the light source unit 1 when projected onto the road surface by multiple lens bodies. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the shape of a drawing pattern that reflects the shape created by the light emitted from the multiple light sources from the light source unit 1 when projected onto the road surface by multiple lens bodies as part of a backup lamp. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the shape of a drawing pattern that reflects the shape created by the light emitted from the multiple light sources from the light source unit 1 when projected onto the road surface by multiple lens bodies as part of a turn lamp. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another configuration of the light source unit 1A.

[0019] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the light source unit 1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of (three in this embodiment) light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c, a plurality of (three in this embodiment) lens bodies 3a, 3b, and 3c arranged in front of each of the plurality of light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c, a plurality of (three in this embodiment) lens holding portions 4a, 4b, and 4c that surround each of the light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c and hold each of the lens bodies 3a, 3b, and 3c in front of each of the light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c, a circuit board 5 on which the plurality of light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c are mounted, a heat sink 7 that dissipates heat generated by the plurality of light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c to the outside via a board mounting portion 6 to which the circuit board 5 is attached, and a socket main body 9 that is formed integrally with the heat sink 7 and is provided with a connector portion 8 that is electrically connected to the circuit board 5.

[0020] The multiple light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c are composed of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit white light (hereinafter referred to as "light") L1, L2, and L3, respectively. The multiple light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c are mounted on one surface (the front surface in this embodiment) of a circuit board 5 on which a drive circuit (not shown) that drives the LEDs is provided, and are arranged at equal intervals in one direction (the width direction in this embodiment) within the surface of the circuit board 5. As a result, the light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c each emit light L1, L2, and L3 radially forward (toward the +X axis).

[0021] The lens holders 4a, 4b, and 4c are made of, for example, a cylindrical white resin, and are attached to one surface of the circuit board 5 in a state in which they surround the peripheries of the light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c.

[0022] The multiple lens bodies 3a, 3b, and 3c consist of convex lenses whose focal lengths are adjusted so that their rear focal points coincide with the respective light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c or their vicinity, and are attached in front of the respective lens holding portions 4a, 4b, and 4c.

[0023] The plurality of lens bodies 3a, 3b, 3c are arranged such that the distances T1, T2, T3 between the light sources 2a, 2b, 2c and the light sources 2a, 2b, 2c are different for each of the light sources 2a, 2b, 2c aligned in one direction. Specifically, in this embodiment, when the distance between the light source 2a located at one end side in one direction and the lens body 3a is T1, the distance between the light source 2b located at the middle in one direction and the lens body 3b is T2, and the distance between the light source 2c located at the other end side in one direction and the lens body 3c is T3, T1 <T2<T3となっている。

[0024] Furthermore, the light-gathering power of the lens bodies 3a, 3b, 3c increases as the distances T1, T2, T3 between the lens bodies 3a, 3b, 3c and the light sources 2a, 2b, 2c increase. In other words, the lens bodies 3a, 3b, 3c can project the light beams L1, L2, L3 emitted from the light sources 2a, 2b, 2c further forward as the distances T1, T2, T3 between the lens bodies 3a, 3b, 3c and the light sources 2a, 2b, 2c increase.

[0025] The light source unit 1 has a structure in which the heat sink 7 and the socket body 9 are integrated by insert molding the heat sink 7 and the socket body 9. Note that the light source unit 1 may also have a structure in which the heat sink 7 and the socket body 9 are formed separately and integrated by screwing or the like.

[0026] The heat sink 7 is made of a metal material with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), or copper (Cu). The socket body 9 is made of an insulating resin material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), or polyamide (PA). The socket body 9 may also be made of a resin to which a filler with high thermal conductivity, such as carbon, ceramic, or metal, has been added.

[0027] The heat sink 7 has a substantially circular plate-shaped base portion 7a, a protrusion portion 7b that protrudes from approximately the center of the front side of the base portion 7a and has a substantially square cross section, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins 7c that protrude in the shape of vertical plates and are aligned in the width direction from the rear side of the base portion 7a.

[0028] The socket body 9 has a substantially disk-shaped base portion 9a, a cylindrical wall portion 9b with a substantially circular cross section that protrudes forward from approximately the center of the front side of the base portion 9a, and a through hole 9c with a substantially square cross section that penetrates the inside of the cylindrical wall portion 9b and the base portion 9a in the front-to-rear direction.

[0029] Additionally, a plurality of claws 9d are arranged in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall portion 9b to prevent rotation and removal from the mounting hole 101a of the housing 101. The packing 104 is attached in a state where it penetrates the cylindrical wall portion 9b and is in contact with the base portion 9a.

[0030] The socket body 9 has a through hole 9e located below the through hole 9c and penetrating the inside of the tubular wall portion 8b and the base portion 9a in the front-to-rear direction, and a roughly rectangular tubular fitting portion 9f protruding rearward from the periphery of the through hole 9e on the back side of the base portion 9a.

[0031] The connector portion 8 has a plurality of lead terminals 10. Each lead terminal 10 is attached integrally to a main body portion 8a of the connector portion 8, penetrating the main body portion 8a in the front-to-rear direction. The connector portion 8 is configured by fitting the main body portion 8a into the inside of the through-hole 9e so that the lead terminals 10 are positioned inside the fitting portion 9f.

[0032] The lead terminals 10 are fixed by soldering to the lands around the holes 5a in a state where they pass through the circuit board 5 in the thickness direction. In this way, the lead terminals 10 are electrically connected to the circuit board 5.

[0033] The board mounting portion 6 is provided on the inner front surface of the cylindrical wall portion 9b. The heat sink 7 and socket body 9 are integrated with the protrusion 7b fitted into the through hole 9c and with their base portions 7a, 9a butted against each other. A seal member 11 is disposed between the tip of the protrusion 7b and the through hole 9c to airtightly seal the gap. As a result, the tip of the protrusion 7b exposed from the through hole 9c of the board mounting portion 6 forms a flat surface continuous with the inner front surface of the cylindrical wall portion 9b.

[0034] The circuit board 5 is attached to the front surface of this board attachment portion 6 via a thermally conductive adhesive 12. As a result, the circuit board 5 is thermally connected to the heat sink 7 via the thermally conductive adhesive 12 and the protrusions 7b that form part of the board attachment portion 6. Meanwhile, in this state, the circuit board 5 is electrically insulated from the heat sink 7.

[0035] In the light source unit 1 of this embodiment having the above-described configuration, as shown in Figure 4, drawing patterns P1, P2, P3 formed by light L1, L2, L3 emitted from multiple light sources 2a, 2b, 2c are projected in a line in the front-to-back direction onto the road surface T ahead by multiple lens bodies 3a, 3b, 3c.

[0036] At this time, by projecting light source images reflecting the shape of the light-emitting surface of each light source 2a, 2b, 2c in a line in the front-to-back direction toward the road surface T ahead, rectangular drawing patterns P1, P2, P3 that extend forward of the road surface T and gradually expand in width are formed in a line in the front-to-back direction of the road surface T.

[0037] Furthermore, since the distance projected from the multiple light sources 2a, 2b, 2c toward the road surface T is sufficiently greater than the spacing between adjacent light sources 2a, 2b, 2c, it is possible to almost ignore the center shift in the width direction of the drawing patterns P1, P2, P3 arranged in the front-to-back direction of the road surface T.

[0038] Therefore, in a vehicle lamp 100 equipped with the light source unit 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, as part of a backup lamp mounted on both corners of the rear end of a vehicle B, it is possible to perform road surface drawing while projecting multiple drawing patterns P1, P2, and P3 toward the road surface T when the vehicle is backing up.

[0039] As described above, in the light source unit 1 of this embodiment, the drawing patterns P1, P2, P3 formed by the light L1, L2, L3 emitted by the above-mentioned multiple light sources 2a, 2b, 2c are projected onto the road surface T by the multiple lens bodies 3a, 3b, 3c, thereby making it possible to increase the utilization efficiency of the light L1, L2, L3 when drawing on the road surface.

[0040] In addition, in the light source unit 1 of this embodiment, the utilization efficiency of light L1, L2, and L3 can be further improved by projecting drawing patterns P1, P2, and P3 that reflect the shapes created by the light emitted by the above-mentioned multiple light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c onto the road surface T.

[0041] Furthermore, in the light source unit 1 of this embodiment, the greater the distances T1, T2, T3 from the above-mentioned light sources 2a, 2b, 2c, the higher the light-gathering power of the lens bodies 3a, 3b, 3c becomes, making it possible to uniformize the brightness (illuminance) of the drawing patterns P1, P2, P3 regardless of the distance projected from the multiple light sources 2a, 2b, 2c toward the road surface T.

[0042] The present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, road surface drawing is performed by projecting multiple drawing patterns P1, P2, P3 toward the road surface T as part of a backup lamp when the vehicle is backing up. However, as shown in FIG. 6, road surface drawing can also be performed by projecting drawing patterns P1, P2, P3 using orange light L1, L2, L3 emitted from multiple light sources 2a, 2b, 2c toward the road surface T in a line in the front-to-back direction using multiple lens bodies 3a, 3b, 3c as part of a turn signal lamp mounted on both corners of the front end of the vehicle B.

[0043] As a result, for example, in a scenario in which vehicle B is involved in an accident while turning at an intersection, when the turn signal lights are turned on, multiple drawing patterns P1, P2, P3 projected onto the road surface T can alert motorcycles, pedestrians, and others in the blind spot of vehicle B that vehicle B is turning.

[0044] Furthermore, the light source unit 1 is configured to project drawing patterns P1, P2, and P3 that reflect the shapes of the light emitted by the above-mentioned multiple light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c onto the road surface T. However, it is also possible to arrange a filter 13 having a transmission area (a slit in this embodiment) 13a that transmits light L1, L2, and L3 emitted from the light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c between the light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c and the lens bodies 3a, 3b, and 3c, as in the light source unit 1A shown in Figure 7, and to project drawing patterns P1, P2, and P3 that reflect the shape of this transmission area 13a (an arrow in this embodiment) onto the road surface T.

[0045] In this configuration, all light except for light L1, L2, and L3 that passes through transmission area 12a is blocked by filter 13, but because transmission area 13a of filter 13 is located in close proximity to light sources 2a, 2b, and 2c, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of light L1, L2, and L3 when drawing the road surface compared to conventional methods.

[0046] In addition, in the light source unit 1, it is also possible to control the direction of the light L1, L2, L3 projected toward the road surface T by tilting the central axis of each lens body 3a, 3b, 3c relative to the optical axis of the light L1, L2, L3 emitted from each of the above-mentioned light sources 2a, 2b, 2c, or by providing a refractive surface on the rear side of each lens body 3a, 3b, 3c. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A... Light source unit for vehicle lamp 2a, 2b, 2c... Light source 3a, 3b, 3c... Lens body 4a, 4b, 4c... Lens holding portion 5... Circuit board 6... Board mounting portion 7... Heat sink 8... Connector portion 9... Socket body 10... Lead terminal 11... Sealing member 12... Thermally conductive adhesive 13... Filter L1, L2, L3... Light P1, P2, P3... Drawing pattern 100... Vehicle lamp 101... Housing 102... Lens cover 103... Lamp body 104... Packing

Claims

1. Multiple light sources; a plurality of lens bodies disposed in front of each of the plurality of light sources; a circuit board on which the plurality of light sources are mounted; a heat sink that dissipates heat generated by the plurality of light sources to the outside via a board mounting portion to which the circuit board is attached; a socket body that is integral with the heat sink and has a connector portion that is electrically connected to the circuit board; the plurality of light sources are arranged side by side in one direction within a plane of the circuit board, the plurality of lens bodies are arranged with the distance from the light source varied for each of the light sources arranged in the one direction, A light source unit for a vehicle lamp, characterized in that drawing patterns produced by the light emitted from the plurality of light sources are projected by the plurality of lens bodies in a line in the front-rear direction onto a road surface.

2. 2. The light source unit for a vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein a drawing pattern reflecting a shape formed by light emitted from the light source is projected onto a road surface.

3. a filter disposed between the light source and the lens body, the filter having a transmission region that transmits light emitted from the light source; 2. The light source unit for a vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein a drawing pattern reflecting the shape of the transmission area is projected onto a road surface.

4. 4. The light source unit for a vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of lens bodies have a relatively higher light-gathering power as the distance between the lens bodies and the light source increases.

5. 5. The light source unit for a vehicle lamp according to claim 1, further comprising a lens holding portion that holds the lens body in front of the light source while surrounding the periphery of the light source.

6. A vehicle lamp comprising the light source unit for a vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images