Vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

To improve appearance of a translucent member even when a positional relation between a plurality of light emitting elements and the translucent member is deviated a little, in a vehicular lighting fixture which is constituted so as to perform transmission control on emission light from the plurality of light emitting elements by the translucent member.SOLUTION: As a translucent member 30, a plurality of transmission control parts 40 are arranged in a state of being side by side in a right-and-left direction, and a central region 40A of each of them is constituted as a lens part 42. Then, at a rear surface 42b and a front surface 42a of the lens part 42, emission light from a light emitting element 20 is refracted at two stages and is emitted toward a lighting fixture front surface direction. At that time, at the front surface 42a of the lens part 42, a plurality of lens elements 42s1, 42s2, 42s3 having a substantially rectangular outer shape are formed. Thereby, when the translucent member 30 is observed from the lighting fixture front, in a state where the plurality of light emitting elements 20 are lighted, at each of the plurality of transmission control parts 40, it is viewed to be brightly emitting light in a state where the central region 40A is divided in a substantially rectangular shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp including a plurality of light-emitting elements and a light-transmitting member. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a known vehicle lamp is configured to control the transmission of light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements using a translucent member, in which a translucent member having a plurality of transmission control units is arranged on the front side of the lamp of a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged with their light-emitting surfaces facing forward of the lamp.

[0003] Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe a configuration of such a vehicle lamp in which a plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged at intervals in a first direction that intersects with the fore-and-aft direction of the lamp, and a plurality of transmission control units are arranged side by side in the first direction.

[0004] In this case, each transmission control section is configured to have a central region located in front of the lamp of each light-emitting element and a peripheral region located around it, and the central region is configured as a lens section that deflects and controls the light emitted from the light-emitting element. Also, each light-emitting element is arranged in close proximity to the central region of each transmission control section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-199053 A [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0170990 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In such a light-transmitting member for a vehicle lamp, the light emitted from each light-emitting element is efficiently incident on the central region of each transmission control portion, so that this central region appears to emit bright light.

[0007] However, in such vehicle lighting fixtures, if the positional relationship between the multiple light-emitting elements and the translucent member deviates from its original state, the way in which the central region of each transmission control section emits light, which should appear to emit bright light, will change significantly, making it impossible to improve the appearance of the translucent member.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp that is configured to control the transmission of light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements using a translucent member, and that can improve the appearance of the translucent member even if the positional relationship between the plurality of light-emitting elements and the translucent member is slightly misaligned. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention is intended to achieve the above object by devising a structure for the light-transmitting member.

[0010] That is, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is A vehicle lamp including a plurality of light-emitting elements and a light-transmitting member disposed on the front side of the plurality of light-emitting elements, The plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged at intervals in a first direction intersecting with the front-rear direction of the lamp with their light-emitting surfaces facing forward of the lamp, the light-transmitting member includes a plurality of transmission control sections for controlling transmission of light emitted from each of the plurality of light-emitting elements, the plurality of transmission control sections are arranged side by side in the first direction, Each of the transmission control sections includes a central region located in front of the lamp of each of the light emitting elements, and a peripheral region located around the central region, the central region is configured as a lens portion that controls deflection of light emitted from the light-emitting element, The rear surface of the lens portion is configured to refract the light emitted from the light-emitting element in a direction closer to the front of the lamp, A plurality of lens elements are formed on the front surface of the lens portion, Each of the plurality of lens elements is configured to refract at least a part of the light emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the rear surface of the lens portion in a direction closer to the front of the lamp. And, The plurality of lens elements are allocated to a plurality of segments separated by boundaries extending in the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. It is characterized by the fact that

[0011] The type of the above-mentioned "vehicle lighting fixture" is not particularly limited, and examples that can be used include high-mounted stop lamps, daytime running lamps, welcome lamps, and indicator lamps that display the automatic driving status or charging status.

[0012] The type of the "light emitting element" is not particularly limited, and for example, a light emitting diode, a laser diode, etc. can be used.

[0013] The "light-emitting element" does not necessarily have to be arranged facing the front of the lamp, as long as the light-emitting surface faces forward of the lamp.

[0014] The specific ranges of the "central region" and "peripheral region" are not particularly limited.

[0015] The specific refraction angle of the "rear surface of the lens portion" is not particularly limited as long as it is configured to refract the light emitted from the light-emitting element in a direction closer to the front of the lamp.

[0016] The "plurality of lens elements" may be formed in the same shape, or may be formed in different shapes.

[0017] The specific refraction angle of each of the above-mentioned "plurality of lens elements" is not particularly limited, as long as it is configured to refract at least a portion of the light emitted from the light-emitting element that enters from the rear surface of the lens portion in a direction closer to the front of the lamp. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The vehicle lamp of the present invention is configured to control the transmission of light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged with their light-emitting surfaces facing forward of the lamp using a plurality of transmission control parts that constitute a translucent member extending in a first direction.Each transmission control part has a central region located in front of each light-emitting element in the lamp and a peripheral region located around it, so that when the plurality of light-emitting elements are turned on, each of the plurality of transmission control parts can be made to appear to glow in its central region and peripheral region.

[0019] In this case, the central region of each transmission control section is configured as a lens section that deflects and controls the light emitted from each light-emitting element, and the rear surface of this lens section is configured to refract the light emitted from the light-emitting element in a direction closer to the front of the lamp.In addition, a plurality of lens elements are formed on the front surface of this lens section, and each of these is configured to refract at least a portion of the light emitted from the light-emitting element that enters from the rear surface of the lens section in a direction closer to the front of the lamp, thereby achieving the following effects.

[0020] That is, since the light emitted from each light-emitting element is efficiently incident on the central region of each transmission control portion, each of the lens elements formed on the front surface of the lens portion that constitutes this central region appears to emit bright light.

[0021] Furthermore, the lens portion that forms the central region of each transmission control portion is configured to refract the light emitted from each light-emitting element in two stages at its rear and front surfaces. Therefore, even if the positional relationship between the multiple light-emitting elements and the translucent member is slightly shifted, the state in which each of the multiple lens elements appears to emit light brightly will not change significantly, thereby maintaining the appearance of the translucent member.

[0022] Thus, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp configured to control the transmission of light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements using a translucent member, the appearance of the translucent member can be improved even if the positional relationship between the plurality of light-emitting elements and the translucent member is slightly misaligned.

[0023] In the above configuration, if the plurality of lens elements are further allocated to a plurality of segments separated by boundaries extending in the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.

[0024] That is, since each of the plurality of lens elements has an approximately rectangular outer shape, when the light-transmitting member is observed from the front of the lamp with the plurality of light-emitting elements turned on, each of the plurality of transmission control parts arranged in the first direction can be made to appear to emit bright light with its central region divided into an approximately rectangular shape, thereby improving the appearance of the light-transmitting member.

[0025] In the above configuration, if each of the plurality of lens elements is configured to emit light from the light-emitting element incident on the rear surface of the lens portion toward the front of the lamp, the central regions of each transmission control portion can be made to appear to emit bright light all at once when viewed from the front of the lamp.

[0026] In the above configuration, if the peripheral region of each transmission control section further comprises an incident surface for receiving the light emitted from the light emitting element, a total reflection surface for totally reflecting the light incident from the incident surface forward toward the front of the lamp, and an exit surface for emitting the light totally reflected by the total reflection surface forward toward the front of the lamp, the light emitted from the light source can be used as forward illumination light over a wide range, and this makes it possible to make each transmission control section appear to emit light with a certain degree of brightness not only in its central region but also in its peripheral region.

[0027] In this case, if the emission surface of the peripheral region is configured with a plurality of emission elements divided by boundary lines extending in the first and second directions, not only the central region of each transmission control section but also the peripheral region can be made to appear to emit light in a state divided into approximately rectangular shapes, thereby further improving the appearance of the translucent member.

[0028] Furthermore, if the incident surface and total reflection surface of the peripheral region are configured to be divided into multiple incident elements and total reflection elements by boundaries extending concentrically around an axis extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, the translucent member can be made thinner and the light emitted from the light-emitting element can be used as forward illumination light over a wide range. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [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] 1 , showing a portion of the light-transmitting member of the vehicle lamp together with a plurality of light-emitting elements; [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a rear view showing a part of the light-transmitting member. [Figure 5] Cross section of line VV in Figure 3 [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a portion of the light-transmitting member as viewed from diagonally above the front of the lamp; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the vehicle lamp in a lit state; [Figure 8] 2A is a diagram showing the operation of the embodiment, and is a detailed view of the main part of FIG. 2; FIG. 2B is a diagram similar to FIG. 2A showing a comparative example of the embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a first modified example of the embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a second modification of the embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0031] 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. 1.

[0032] 1 and 2, the direction indicated by X is "forward of the lamp" ("rearward" from the vehicle's perspective), the direction indicated by Y is "rightward" ("rightward" from the vehicle's perspective) perpendicular to "forward of the lamp," and the direction indicated by Z is "upward." This also applies to figures other than Figures 1 and 2.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle lamp 10 of this embodiment is a high-mounted stop lamp located at the rear of the vehicle, and is configured so that a plurality of (specifically, 12) light-emitting elements 20 and a translucent member 30 are incorporated into a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a plain translucent cover 14 attached to the front end opening of the lamp body 12.

[0034] The light-emitting elements 20 are arranged at intervals (specifically, at equal intervals) in the left-right direction with their light-emitting surfaces 20a facing forward (specifically, toward the front of the lamp). Each light-emitting element 20 is a red light-emitting diode, and its light-emitting surface 20a has a rectangular (specifically, a square of approximately 1 x 1 mm) outer shape.

[0035] The plurality of light emitting elements 20 are mounted on a common substrate 22 , which is supported by the lamp body 12 .

[0036] The light-transmitting member 30 has an outer shape of a horizontally elongated rectangle when viewed from the front of the lamp, and is disposed in front of the plurality of light-emitting elements 20. The light-transmitting member 30 is configured such that a plurality of (specifically, 12) transmission control units 40 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction to control the transmission of light emitted from each of the plurality of light-emitting elements 20. Each transmission control unit 40 has an outer shape of a rectangle of the same size (specifically, a square of approximately 10 × 10 mm) when viewed from the front of the lamp.

[0037] The light-transmitting member 30 is an injection-molded product made of a colorless and transparent synthetic resin (e.g., acrylic resin). The light-transmitting member 30 has a flat outer circumferential flange 30a formed around the plurality of transmission control parts 40, and a frame 30b extending toward the rear of the lamp so as to surround the plurality of transmission control parts 40 on the rear surface of the outer circumferential flange 30a. The light-transmitting member 30 is supported by the lamp body 12 at the outer circumferential flange 30a and the frame 30b.

[0038] Fig. 3 is a detailed view of part III in Fig. 1, showing a portion of the light-transmitting member 30 together with a plurality of light-emitting elements 20. Fig. 4 is a rear view showing a portion of the light-transmitting member 30, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a portion of the light-transmitting member 30 as seen obliquely from above and in front of the lamp.

[0039] 3 to 6, each transmission control section 40 has an optical axis Ax extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp. Each light-emitting element 20 is arranged such that its light-emitting center (i.e., the center position of the light-emitting surface 20a) is positioned on the optical axis Ax of the transmission control section 40.

[0040] Each transmission control portion 40 includes a central region 40A located in front of the lamp of each light emitting element 20, and a peripheral region 40B located around this central region 40A.

[0041] The central region 40A is configured as a lens portion 42 that controls the deflection of the light emitted from the light emitting element 20.

[0042] The rear surface 42b of the lens portion 42 is formed to extend in a plane along a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax, and is configured to refract the light emitted from the light-emitting element 20 in a direction closer to the front of the lamp. The rear surface 42b of the lens portion 42 has a circular outer shape centered on the optical axis Ax.

[0043] The front surface 42a of the lens portion 42 has a square outer shape that is slightly larger than the outer shape of the rear surface 42b of the lens portion 42 when viewed from the front of the lamp. This allows all of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 20 that enters through the rear surface 42b of the lens portion 42 to reach the front surface 42a.

[0044] That is, the front surface 42a of the lens unit 42 is provided with a plurality of lens elements 42s1, 42s2, 42s3, each of which is configured to refract light emitted from the light-emitting element 20 and incident from the rear surface 42b of the lens unit 42 in a direction closer to the front of the lamp. In this case, the front surface 42a is configured such that the plurality of lens elements 42s1, 42s2, 42s3 are allocated to a plurality of segments which are divided by boundary lines extending in the left-right direction (i.e., a first direction) and the up-down direction (i.e., a second direction perpendicular to the first direction).

[0045] Specifically, the multiple lens elements 42s1, 42s2, 42s3 are composed of four lens elements 42s1 arranged around the optical axis Ax in the center of the front surface 42a, eight lens elements 42s2 arranged on both the left and right sides and the top and bottom sides of the four lens elements 42s1, and four lens elements 42s3 arranged at four corner portions.

[0046] Each of the four lens elements 42s1 is formed in a planar shape and has a substantially square outer shape when viewed from the front of the lamp. Each lens element 42s1 is formed to extend in a direction that tilts toward the rear of the lamp as it moves away from the optical axis Ax. The tilt angle of each lens element 42s1 is set to a value such that light emitted from the light-emitting element 20 and incident on the rear surface 42b of the lens portion 42 is emitted toward the front of the lamp.

[0047] Each of the eight lens elements 42s2 is formed in a planar shape and has an external shape that is close to a square when viewed from the front of the lamp. Each lens element 42s2 is formed to extend in a direction that inclines toward the rear of the lamp as it extends away from the optical axis Ax. The inclination angle of each lens element 42s2 is set to a value greater than the inclination angle of each lens element 42s1 so that light emitted from the light-emitting element 20 that enters through the rear surface 42b of the lens portion 42 is emitted toward the front of the lamp.

[0048] Each of the four lens elements 42s3 has a concave curved surface and an outer shape that is close to a square when viewed from the front of the lamp. The curvature of each lens element 42s3 is configured so that light emitted from the light-emitting element 20 and incident on the rear surface 42b of the lens portion 42 is emitted as diffused light toward the front of the lamp.

[0049] The peripheral region 40B of each transmission control section 40 includes an incident surface 40B1 that receives the light emitted from the light-emitting element 20, a total reflection surface 40B2 that totally reflects the light incident from this incident surface 40B1 toward the front of the lamp, and an exit surface 40B3 that emits the light totally reflected by this total reflection surface 40B2 toward the front of the lamp.

[0050] Incident surface 40B1 and total reflection surface 40B2 of peripheral region 40B are configured as a so-called Fresnel lens type total reflection prism.

[0051] That is, the incident surface 40B1 and the total reflection surface 40B2 are composed of a plurality of incident elements 40B1s and total reflection elements 40B2s separated by boundaries extending concentrically around the optical axis Ax (i.e., the axis extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp).

[0052] Each of these multiple incident elements 40B1s and total reflection elements 40B2s is configured to allow the light emitted from the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 22 to be incident in a manner that refracts the light in a direction away from the optical axis Ax, and then to guide the light to the front surface 30a of the lens 30 as parallel light directed toward the front of the lamp.

[0053] The light emitting surface 40B3 of the peripheral region 40B is configured such that a plurality of light emitting elements 40B3s1, 40B3s2 are allocated to a plurality of segments divided by boundaries extending in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0054] Specifically, the multiple emission elements 40B3s1, 40B3s2 are composed of six emission elements 40B3s1 arranged side by side in the left-right direction on both the top and bottom sides of the central region 40A, and twelve emission elements 40B3s2 arranged side by side in the up-down direction on both the left and right sides of the central region 40A and the six emission elements 40B3s1.

[0055] Each of the six output elements 40B3s1 is formed with a concave curved surface facing the front of the lamp, and has a square outer shape when viewed from the front of the lamp. The curvature of each output element 40B3s1 is configured so that the parallel light reaching it from the multiple input elements 40B1s and the total reflection element 40B2s is emitted as light that is slightly diffused in the vertical and horizontal directions with the front of the lamp as the center.

[0056] Each of the twelve emitting elements 40B3s2 is formed with a concave curved surface that is inclined in the left-right direction from the front face of the lamp toward the optical axis Ax, and has an outer shape that is slightly horizontally elongated and rectangular when viewed from the front of the lamp. The curvature of each emitting element 40B3s2 is configured so that the parallel light that reaches it from the multiple incident elements 40B1s and total reflection elements 40B2s is emitted as light that is slightly diffused in the up-down direction centered on the front face of the lamp, and as light that is slightly diffused in the left-right direction away from the front face of the lamp.

[0057] FIG. 7 is a front view showing the vehicle lamp 10 in a lighted state.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7, when a plurality of light emitting elements 20 are turned on simultaneously, each of a plurality of transmission control parts 40 constituting the light transmitting member 30 appears to glow.

[0059] That is, in each transmission control section 40, the central region 40A appears to shine in multiple places, and the peripheral region 40B appears to shine in multiple places.

[0060] In this case, the lens portion 42 constituting the central region 40A of each transmission control portion 40 has a front surface 42a formed of a plurality of substantially rectangular lens elements 42s1, 42s2, and 42s3, each of which appears to shine with a substantially rectangular outline, and the central region 40A as a whole also appears to shine with a substantially rectangular outline.

[0061] Moreover, the peripheral region 40B of each transmission control portion 40 also has an exit surface 40B3 that is composed of a plurality of substantially rectangular exit elements 40B3s1, 40B3s2, each of which appears to glow with a substantially rectangular outline, and the peripheral region 40B as a whole also appears to glow with a substantially rectangular outline.

[0062] In each transmission control section 40, the central region 40A is located close to the light-emitting surface 20a of the light-emitting element 20 and in a direction close to the plane perpendicular to the light-emitting surface 20a, and therefore the light emitted from the light-emitting element 20 is efficiently incident on the central region 40A. Therefore, the central region 40A appears to be brighter than the peripheral region 40B.

[0063] In this case, the multiple lens elements 42s1, 42s2 located in the center of the central region 40A and on both the top, bottom, left and right sides thereof are configured to emit the light emitted from the light-emitting element 20 that enters from the rear surface 42b of the lens portion 42 toward the front of the lamp, and therefore appear to shine brightly with a larger, approximately rectangular outline than the lens elements 42s3 located at the four corners of the central region 40A and the multiple light-emitting elements 40B3s1, 40B3s2 located in the peripheral region 40B.

[0064] On the other hand, the multiple lens elements 42s3 located at the four corners of the central region 40A and the multiple emission elements 40B3s1, 40B3s2 located in the peripheral region 40B have a concave curved surface shape, and therefore appear to glow in scattered spots with a rectangular outline when viewed from the front of the lamp.

[0065] Next, the optical function of the vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment when the positional relationship between the plurality of light-emitting elements 20 and the light-transmitting member 30 is misaligned will be described.

[0066] Figure 8(a) is a detailed view of the main part of Figure 2, and shows the optical path of the light emitted from the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 20 when the light-emitting element 20 is displaced slightly upward from its original position (the position shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure) relative to the transmission control unit 40.

[0067] 8(a) is the optical path of light emitted from the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 20 in its original position. On the other hand, the optical path of light shown by the solid line in Fig. 8(a) is the optical path when light emitted from the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 20 that has been displaced slightly upward from its original position (hereinafter simply referred to as "displaced upward") is incident on the same position relative to the transmission control unit 40.

[0068] As shown by the solid line in Figure 8(a), when the emitted light from the light-emitting element 20 that has been displaced upward enters the central region 40A of the transmission control unit 40 at the same position as the emitted light from the light-emitting element 20 in its original position, it is deflected more downward at the rear surface 42b of the lens portion 42 than the emitted light from the light-emitting element 20 in its original position, and when it leaves the central region 40A, it is deflected more downward at the front surface 42a of the lens portion 42 than the emitted light from the light-emitting element 20 in its original position.

[0069] In this case, the downward deflection angle θ1 of the light emitted from the lens element 42s1 closer to the optical axis Ax is greater than the downward deflection angle θ2 of the light emitted from the lens element 42s2 located further from the optical axis Ax.

[0070] On the other hand, when the emitted light from the upwardly displaced light-emitting element 20 enters the peripheral region 40B, it is deflected more downward by the incident element 40B1s than the emitted light from the light-emitting element 20 in its original position, but is then totally reflected by the total reflection element 40B2s, resulting in light that is deflected more upward than the emitted light from the light-emitting element 20 in its original position. Therefore, when the emitted light from the upwardly displaced light-emitting element 20 is emitted from the emission element 40B3s1 of the peripheral region 40B, it is deflected more upward than the emitted light from the light-emitting element 20 in its original position.

[0071] That is, the light emitted from the peripheral region 40B is emitted from the transmission control section 40 as light polarized in the direction opposite to that of the light emitted from the central region 40A.

[0072] At this time, the upward deflection angle θ3 of the light emitted from the output element 40B3s1 is smaller than the downward deflection angles θ1 and θ2.

[0073] FIG. 8(b) is a view similar to FIG. 8(a) and shows a light-transmitting member 30' according to a comparative example of this embodiment.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 8(b), the basic configuration of the light-transmitting member 30' according to this comparative example is the same as that of this embodiment, but the configuration of each transmission control section 40' is partially different from that of this embodiment.

[0075] That is, the transmission control section 40' of this comparative example also has the peripheral region 40B similar to the transmission control section 40 of this embodiment, but the configuration of the central region 40A' is different from that of this embodiment.

[0076] Specifically, the transmission control section 40' of this comparative example also has a central region 40A' configured as a lens section 42', but a rear surface 40b' formed in a convex spherical shape centered on the optical axis Ax, so that light emitted from the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 20 in its original position is incident as parallel light toward the front of the lamp. That is, the transmission control section 40' of this comparative example is configured so that light emitted from the light-emitting element 20 is refracted more greatly at the rear surface 40b' of the lens section 42' than in this embodiment.

[0077] The front surface 42a' of the lens portion 42' is configured such that a plurality of lens elements 42s1', 42s2' are allocated to a plurality of segments separated by boundary lines extending in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0078] These lens elements 42s1', 42s2', like the lens elements 42s1, 42s2 of this embodiment, are all formed in a planar shape and have an approximately square outer shape when viewed from the front of the lamp, but are formed to extend along a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax.

[0079] In the central region 40A', the light emitted from the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 20 in its original position is made to enter the rear surface 40b' of the lens portion 42' as parallel light directed toward the front of the lamp, and then is emitted as parallel light directly toward the front of the lamp from the multiple lens elements 42s1', 42s2' formed on the front surface 42a' of the lens portion 42'.

[0080] As shown by the solid line in Figure 8(b), when the emitted light from the light-emitting element 20 that has been displaced upward enters the central region 40A' of the transmission control portion 40' at the same position as the emitted light from the light-emitting element 20 in its original position, it is deflected more downward at the rear surface 42b' of the lens portion 42' than the emitted light from the light-emitting element 20 in its original position, and when it leaves the central region 40A', it is deflected more downward at the front surface 42a' of the lens portion 42' than the emitted light from the light-emitting element 20 in its original position.

[0081] In this case, the central region 40A' of the transmission control portion 40' refracts the light emitted from the light-emitting element 20 at the rear surface 42b' of the lens portion 42' more than in the present embodiment, so that the light emitted from the front surface 42a' is deflected downward more than in the present embodiment. That is, the downward deflection angles θ1' and θ2' of the light emitted from each of the lens elements 42s1' and 42s2' are larger than the downward deflection angles θ1 and θ2 of the light emitted from each of the lens elements 42s1 and 42s2 in the present embodiment.

[0082] In addition, since the configuration of the peripheral region 40B of the transmission control unit 40' in this comparative example is the same as that in this embodiment, when the light emitted from the upwardly displaced light-emitting element 20 is emitted from the light-emitting element 40B3s1 in the peripheral region 40B, it is deflected more upward than the light emitted from the light-emitting element 20 in its original position, and the upward deflection angle θ3 at this time is the same as that in this embodiment.

[0083] As described above, the transmission control section 40′ of this comparative example is configured to cause the light emitted from the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 20 to be incident as parallel light toward the front of the lamp on the rear surface 40b′ of the lens section 42′ constituting the central region 40A′, and therefore, if the positional relationship between the light-emitting element 20 and the transmission control section 40′ is shifted, the direction of the light emitted from the central region 40A′ will be significantly shifted. This will significantly change the way the plurality of lens elements 42s1′, 42s2′ appear to emit bright light while being divided into approximately rectangular shapes.

[0084] In contrast, in the transmission control unit 40 of this embodiment, the lens unit 42 constituting the central region 40A refracts the light emitted from the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 20 in two stages at the rear surface 40b and the front surface 40a to form parallel light that travels toward the front of the lamp, so that even if the positional relationship between the light-emitting element 20 and the transmission control unit 40 is shifted, the direction of the light emitted from the central region 40A does not shift significantly. As a result, the state in which each of the plurality of lens elements 42s1, 42s2 appears to emit bright light while being divided into approximately rectangular shapes does not change significantly.

[0085] Furthermore, when the positional relationship between the light-emitting element 20 and the transmission control unit 40 is shifted, the light emitted from the peripheral region 40B shifts in the opposite direction from the light emitted from the central region 40A. Therefore, in order to improve the appearance of the translucent member 30, it is essential to configure the light emitted from the central region 40A in such a way that the direction of the light emitted from the central region 40A does not shift significantly, as in this embodiment.

[0086] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0087] The vehicle lamp 10 of this embodiment is configured to control the transmission of light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements 20 arranged with their light-emitting surfaces 20a facing forward of the lamp by a plurality of transmission control units 40 that constitute a translucent member 30 extending in the left-right direction (first direction).Each transmission control unit 40 has a central region 40A located in front of each light-emitting element 20 and a peripheral region 40B located therearound, so that when the plurality of light-emitting elements 20 are turned on, each of the plurality of transmission control units 40 can be made to appear to glow in its central region 40A and peripheral region 40B.

[0088] In this case, the central region 40A of each transmission control section 40 is configured as a lens section 42 that deflects and controls the light emitted from each light-emitting element 20, and the rear surface 42b of this lens section 42 is configured to refract the light emitted from the light-emitting element 20 in a direction closer to the front of the lamp.Furthermore, a plurality of lens elements 42s1, 42s2, 42s3 are formed on the front surface 42a of this lens section 42, and each of these is configured to refract the light emitted from the light-emitting element 20 that enters from the rear surface 42b of the lens section 42 in a direction closer to the front of the lamp, thereby obtaining the following effects.

[0089] That is, since the light emitted from each light-emitting element 20 efficiently enters the central region 40A of each transmission control section 40, each of the multiple lens elements 42s1, 42s2, 42s3 formed on the front surface 42a of the lens section 42 that constitutes this central region 40A appears to emit bright light.

[0090] Furthermore, the lens portion 42 constituting the central region 40A of each transmission control portion 40 is configured to refract the light emitted from each light-emitting element 20 in two stages at its rear surface 42b and front surface 42a. Therefore, even if the positional relationship between the plurality of light-emitting elements 20 and the light-transmitting member 30 is slightly shifted, the state in which each of the plurality of lens elements 42s1, 42s2, 42s3 appears to emit light brightly will not change significantly, thereby maintaining the appearance of the light-transmitting member 30.

[0091] Thus, according to this embodiment, in a vehicle lamp 10 configured to control the transmission of light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements 20 using a light-transmitting member 30, the appearance of the light-transmitting member 30 can be improved even if the positional relationship between the plurality of light-emitting elements 20 and the light-transmitting member 30 is slightly misaligned.

[0092] Moreover, in this embodiment, multiple lens elements 42s1, 42s2, and 42s3 are allocated to multiple segments separated by boundaries extending in the vertical direction (a second direction perpendicular to the first direction) and the horizontal direction, thereby achieving the following advantageous effects.

[0093] That is, since each of the plurality of lens elements 42s1, 42s2, 42s3 has an approximately rectangular outer shape, when the light-transmitting member 30 is observed from the front of the lamp with the plurality of light-emitting elements 20 turned on, the central region 40A of each of the plurality of transmission control parts 40 arranged in a line in the left-right direction can be made to appear to emit bright light with its central region 40A divided into an approximately rectangular shape, thereby improving the appearance of the light-transmitting member 30.

[0094] Furthermore, in this embodiment, of the plurality of lens elements 42s1, 42s2, 42s3 located in the central region 40A, the plurality of lens elements 42s1, 42s2 other than the plurality of lens elements 42s3 located at the four corners are configured to emit the light emitted from the light-emitting element 20 that is incident from the rear surface 42b of the lens portion 42 toward the front of the lamp, so that when viewed from the front of the lamp, the main parts of the central region 40A of each transmission control portion 40 are divided into approximately rectangular shapes and appear to emit bright light all at once.

[0095] Furthermore, in the light-transmitting member 30 of this embodiment, the peripheral region 40B of each transmission control portion 40 includes an incident surface 40B1 that receives the light emitted from the light-emitting element 20, a total reflection surface 40B2 that totally reflects the light incident from the incident surface 40B1 toward the front of the lamp, and an exit surface 40B3 that emits the light totally reflected by the total reflection surface 40B2 toward the front of the lamp, so that the light emitted from the light-emitting element 20 can be used as forward irradiation light over a wide range. This makes it possible to make not only the central region 40A but also the peripheral region 40B of each transmission control portion 40 appear to emit light with a certain degree of brightness.

[0096] In this case, the light-emitting surface 40B3 of the peripheral region 40B is composed of a plurality of light-emitting elements 40B3s1, 40B3s2 separated by boundaries extending in the vertical and horizontal directions, so that not only the central region 40A of each transmission control unit 40 but also the peripheral region 40B can be made to appear to emit light in a roughly rectangularly separated state, thereby further improving the appearance of the translucent member 30.

[0097] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the incident surface 40B1 and the total reflection surface 40B2 of the peripheral region 40B are divided into a plurality of incident elements 40B1s and total reflection elements 40B2s by boundaries extending concentrically around the optical axis Ax (an axis extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp), so that the light emitted from the light-emitting element 20 can be used as forward illumination light over a wide range while making the translucent member 30 thinner.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the multiple lens elements 42s1, 42s2, and 42s3 that make up the front surface 42a of the lens section 42 are described as having different outer shapes from each other, but it is also possible to configure them to have rectangular outer shapes of the same size that are divided into vertical and horizontal grid patterns.

[0099] In the above embodiment, each of the multiple lens elements 42s1, 42s2, and 42s3 has been described as having an approximately rectangular outer shape, but it is also possible to configure them to have an outer shape other than this (for example, a triangle, a hexagon, etc.).

[0100] In the above embodiment, the configuration of the peripheral region 44 of each transmission control section 40 has been described as the incident surface 40B1 and the total reflection surface 40B2 of the peripheral region 40B being divided into a plurality of incident elements 40B1s and a plurality of total reflection elements 40B2s, but it is also possible for the peripheral region 44 to be configured with a single incident surface 40B1 and a single total reflection surface 40B2.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the multiple emission elements 40B3s1, 40B3s2 constituting the emission surface 40B3 of the peripheral region 44 are described as having different outer shapes from each other, but it is also possible for them to have rectangular outer shapes of the same size divided into vertical and horizontal grid patterns, and in that case, it is also possible for them to be configured to have rectangular outer shapes of the same size as the multiple lens elements 42s1, 42s2, 42s3 constituting the front surface 42a of the lens section 42.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the translucent member 30 has been described as having a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front of the lamp, but it is also possible to configure it to have other shapes (for example, a vertically elongated rectangular shape or an elongated shape extending diagonally, etc.).

[0103] In the above embodiment, the translucent member 30 is described as having a plurality of transmission control units 40 arranged in a row in the left-right direction, but it is also possible to configure these to be arranged in multiple rows, one above the other.

[0104] In the above embodiment, the vehicle lamp 10 is described as having a plurality of light-emitting elements 20 and a translucent member 30 incorporated into a lamp chamber formed by the lamp body 12 and the translucent cover 14. However, in the case of a high-mounted stop lamp or the like located at the rear of the vehicle interior, it is also possible to configure the lamp without the translucent cover 14.

[0105] In the above embodiment, a plurality of light emitting elements 20 are simultaneously lit, but instead of or in addition to this, it is also possible to configure some of the light emitting elements 20 to be lit sequentially.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the vehicle lamp 10 is described as a high-mounted stop lamp disposed at the rear 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. That is, in addition to a high-mounted stop lamp, for example, a tail and stop lamp, a rear fog lamp, a daytime running lamp, a clearance lamp, etc. can also be adopted. In this case, in addition to red light-emitting diodes, white or amber light-emitting diodes can also be used as the multiple light-emitting elements 20 according to the function of each lamp.

[0107] Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0108] First, a first modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0109] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a main part of a vehicle lamp according to this modified example.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 9, the basic configuration of this modification is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the light-transmitting member 130 is partially different from that of the present embodiment.

[0111] That is, the light-transmitting member 130 of this modified example also has a configuration in which multiple transmission control units 140 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and each transmission control unit 140 has a peripheral region 40B similar to that of the transmission control unit 40 of this embodiment, but the configuration of its central region 140A is different from that of the above embodiment.

[0112] Specifically, in the present modified example, the central region 140A of each transmission control unit 140 is also configured as a lens portion 142, but differs from the above embodiment in that each of the multiple lens elements 142s1, 142s2 that make up the front surface 142a is formed in a concave curved shape.

[0113] In this modification, the arrangement of the plurality of lens elements 142s1 and 142s2 and the outer shape of each of them are the same as in the above embodiment.

[0114] In this modification, the rear surface 142b of the lens portion 142 has the same configuration as in the above embodiment.

[0115] As a result, also in the light-transmitting member 130 of this modified example, the lens portion 142 constituting the central region 140A of each transmission control portion 140 is configured to refract light emitted from each light-emitting element 20 in two stages at the rear surface 142b and the front surface 142a. At this time, since each of the plurality of lens elements 142s1, 142s2 is formed into a concave curved surface, light emitted from the light-emitting element 20 and incident on the rear surface 142b of the lens portion 142 is emitted from each of the lens elements 142s1, 142s2 as diffused light centered in the front direction of the lamp.

[0116] Therefore, in the present modified example, when the lamp is viewed from the front, the main portions of the central region 40A of each transmission control portion 40 appear to emit light brightly with the main portions divided into approximately rectangular shapes, and even when the viewpoint is shifted slightly from the state when the lamp is viewed from the front, the translucent member 130 can maintain the state in which the main portions of the central region 40A of each transmission control portion 40 appear to emit light brightly with the main portions divided into approximately rectangular shapes.

[0117] Next, a second modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0118] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a main part of a vehicle lamp according to this modified example.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 10, the basic configuration of this modification is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the light-transmitting member 230 is partially different from that of the present embodiment.

[0120] That is, the light-transmitting member 230 of this modified example also has a configuration in which multiple transmission control units 240 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and each transmission control unit 240 has a peripheral region 40B similar to that of the transmission control unit 40 of this embodiment, but the configuration of its central region 240A is different from that of the above embodiment.

[0121] Specifically, in the light-transmitting member 230 of this modified example, the central region 240A of each transmission control portion 240 is configured as a lens portion 242, but the shape of the inner peripheral region 242s2a (i.e., the region closer to the optical axis Ax) 242s2a of each of the plurality of lens elements 242s2 that configure the front surface 242a is partially different from that in the above embodiment. That is, each lens element 242s2 is formed so that its inner peripheral region 242s2a extends in a direction that inclines toward the front side of the lamp as it becomes farther away from the optical axis Ax.

[0122] In this modified example, the arrangement of the multiple lens elements 242s1 and the outer shape of each of them are the same as in the above embodiment, and the configuration of the general area other than the inner peripheral area 242s2a of each of the multiple lens elements 242s2 is the same as in the above embodiment.

[0123] In this modification, the rear surface 242b of the lens portion 242 has the same configuration as in the above embodiment.

[0124] As a result, in the transmission control unit 240 of this modified example, the light emitted from the light-emitting element 20 that enters from the rear surface 242b of the lens unit 242 and reaches each of the multiple lens elements 242s2 is emitted toward the front of the lamp in its general area, and is emitted in a direction inclined outward from the front of the lamp in its inner peripheral area 242s2a.

[0125] Therefore, the translucent member 230 of this modified example maintains a state in which the main parts of the central region 40A of each transmission control part 40 are divided into approximately rectangular shapes and appear to emit bright light all at once when viewed from the front of the lamp, and can also produce a state in which the inner peripheral region 242s2a of some of the lens elements 242s2 appears to emit bright light even when the viewpoint is moved significantly from the state in which the lamp is viewed from the front.

[0126] 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.

[0127] 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]

[0128] 10 Vehicle lighting fixtures 12 Lamp body 14 Translucent cover 20 Light-emitting element 20a Light-emitting surface 22 PCB 30, 130, 230 Light-transmitting member 30a Outer flange 30b Frame section 40, 140, 240 Transmission control section 40A, 140A, 240A center area 40B Surrounding Area 40B1 Entrance plane 40B1s incident element 40B2 Total reflection surface 40B2s total reflection element 40B3 Output surface 40B3s1, 40B3s2 Output elements 42, 142, 242 Lens section 42a, 142a, 242a front 42b, 142b, 242b rear 42s1, 42s2, 42s3, 142s1, 142s2, 242s1, 242s2 lens elements 242s2a Inner peripheral region Ax optical axis

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp including a plurality of light-emitting elements and a light-transmitting member disposed on the front side of the plurality of light-emitting elements, The plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged at intervals from one another in a first direction intersecting with a front-rear direction of the lamp with their light-emitting surfaces facing forward of the lamp, the light-transmitting member includes a plurality of transmission control sections for controlling transmission of light emitted from each of the plurality of light-emitting elements, the plurality of transmission control units are arranged side by side in the first direction, Each of the transmission control sections includes a central region located in front of the lamp of each of the light emitting elements, and a peripheral region located around the central region, the central region is configured as a lens portion that controls deflection of light emitted from the light-emitting element, The rear surface of the lens portion is configured to refract the light emitted from the light-emitting element in a direction closer to the front of the lamp, A plurality of lens elements are formed on the front surface of the lens portion, Each of the plurality of lens elements is configured to refract at least a portion of the light emitted from the light-emitting element and incident on a rear surface of the lens portion in a direction closer to a front direction of the lamp, The vehicle lamp is characterized in that the plurality of lens elements are allocated to a plurality of segments separated by boundaries extending in the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

2. 2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of lens elements is configured to emit light emitted from the light-emitting element and incident on a rear surface of the lens portion toward a front of the lamp.

3. 3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral area comprises an incident surface onto which light emitted from the light-emitting element is incident, a total reflection surface which totally reflects the light incident from the incident surface towards the front of the lamp, and an exit surface which emits the light totally reflected by the total reflection surface towards the front of the lamp.

4. 4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of light-emitting elements are formed on the light-emitting surface of the peripheral region, the light-emitting elements being separated by boundary lines extending in the first and second directions.

5. 4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 3, wherein the incident surface and the total reflection surface of the peripheral region are composed of a plurality of incident elements and total reflection elements separated by boundary lines extending concentrically around an axis extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the lamp.

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