Vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting fixture that can improve a degree of freedom of adjustment of light distribution.SOLUTION: A lamp device 1 comprises: a light emitting element 2; and a lens unit 6 comprising a Fresnel lens 6a for collecting a portion of light from the light emitting element 2, and a projection lens 6b arranged below the Fresnel lens 6a, and for applying a portion of light from the light emitting element 2 below light from the Fresnel lens 6a to project it on a road surface. The lens unit 6 comprises a neutral surface 6c connecting the Fresnel lens 6a and the projection lens 6b. The neutral surface 6c has a flat plate shape perpendicular to lens surfaces of the Fresnel lens 6a and the projection lens 6b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp for use in four-wheeled vehicles, two-wheeled vehicles, and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicle lamp for a motorcycle is known that is capable of splitting light from a light source device by an internal lens and irradiating it in two directions, toward the front side and toward the road surface.

[0003] For example, the vehicle lighting unit disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a light source and a lens. A portion of the light from the light source enters a first incident portion of the lens, and the remaining portion of the light emitted from the light source enters a second incident portion of the lens.

[0004] The first exit portion of the lens is a portion that outputs a portion of the light that is emitted from the light source and enters the entrance portion in a direction non-parallel to the vertical direction. The first entrance portion intersects with the optical axis of the light source and has a shape that is concavely curved on the side opposite to the light source.

[0005] The second exit portion of the lens is a portion that emits at least a portion of the internally reflected light toward the road surface. The second entrance portion is located around the first entrance portion when the lens is viewed from the light source side along the optical axis. This realizes a device with a two-way illumination function (Patent Document 1 / paragraphs 0028, 0040, 0041, Figure 6). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-034309 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the lens of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the first and second light exit portions are formed in a continuous, integrated shape, which requires high precision during manufacturing and makes it difficult to adjust the position and size of the light distribution.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a vehicle lamp that allows for an improved degree of freedom in adjusting light distribution. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle lamp of the present invention comprises a lens unit having a light source whose optical axis is substantially parallel to a horizontal direction, a first lens portion that collects a portion of the light from the light source, and a second lens portion that is disposed below the first lens portion and that illuminates a road surface by irradiating a portion of the light from the light source downward relative to the light from the first lens portion, the lens unit has a neutral portion located between the first lens portion and the second lens portion and connecting the first lens portion and the second lens portion; The neutral portion has a flat plate shape extending horizontally.

[0010] The vehicle lamp of the present invention includes a light source and a lens unit. A portion of the light emitted from the light source passes through a first lens portion of the lens unit. This light, whose center of emission direction is slightly downward relative to the horizontal, can be used as a first signal light that irradiates light toward following vehicles, etc. Furthermore, a second lens portion disposed below the first lens portion irradiates a portion of the light from the light source downward relative to the light from the first lens portion, so that this light can be used as a second signal light that irradiates the road surface.

[0011] The neutral portion is a flat plate that connects the first lens portion and the second lens portion and extends horizontally. With this structure, the first lens portion and the second lens portion become independent optical systems at the neutral portion, and their functions are divided. Therefore, by simply changing the size (length) of the neutral portion during manufacturing, the positions of the first lens portion and the second lens portion can be changed, thereby generating a light distribution of a desired size at a desired position. Therefore, the vehicular lamp of the present invention can be a vehicular lamp with a high degree of freedom in adjusting light distribution.

[0012] In the vehicular lamp of the present invention, the second lens portion is preferably a convex lens.

[0013] By making the second lens portion a convex lens, it is possible to enlarge and project the image formed by the light from the light source, thereby generating a large projected image on the road surface.

[0014] In the vehicle lamp of the present invention, it is preferable that the light source is disposed at a focal position of the first lens portion.

[0015] When the light source is positioned at the focal position of the first lens unit, it is possible to emit light in a direction parallel to the optical axis of the first lens unit. On the other hand, when the light source is positioned away from the focal position of the second lens unit, the light that passes through the second lens unit travels in a direction different from that of the light from the first lens unit, and a light distribution can be generated in that direction.

[0016] In the vehicle lamp of the present invention, the first lens portion is preferably a Fresnel lens.

[0017] By using a Fresnel lens as the first lens portion, part of the light from the light source passes through the first lens portion and is converted into parallel light, so that the light can be emitted over a long distance.

[0018] In addition, in the vehicle lamp of the present invention, it is preferable that the second lens portion is positioned so that the focal position of the second lens portion is below the light source, and that the optical axis of the second lens portion is configured to be parallel to the horizontal direction.

[0019] With this configuration, light from the light source enters the second lens portion from an obliquely upward direction. In addition, since the optical axis of the second lens portion is parallel to the horizontal direction, the light that enters the second lens portion can be emitted downward from the horizontal direction.

[0020] In addition, in the vehicle lamp of the present invention, it is preferable that the light source is disposed at a focal position of the second lens portion, and the optical axis of the second lens portion is configured to be inclined downward from the horizontal direction.

[0021] When the light source is located at the focal point of the second lens unit, the optical axis of the second lens unit is tilted downward from the horizontal direction, which allows the light incident on the second lens unit to be emitted downward from the horizontal direction.

[0022] In addition, in the vehicle lamp of the present invention, it is preferable that the light source, the first lens portion, and the second lens portion are arranged so that the shortest distance from a plane on which the light source is provided to the second lens portion is shorter than the shortest distance from the plane to the first lens portion.

[0023] By arranging the second lens unit so that the shortest distance from the plane where the light source is provided to the second lens unit is shorter than the shortest distance from the plane to the first lens unit, the amount of light incident on the second lens unit from the light source can be increased, thereby improving the illumination efficiency of the second signal light.

[0024] In addition, in the vehicular lamp of the present invention, it is preferable that the light source has a plurality of lamps arranged in a line, and the first lens portion is a Fresnel lens provided with a plurality of Fresnel cut portions.

[0025] According to this configuration, the light source is composed of a plurality of lamps, and the first lens portion is a Fresnel lens provided with a plurality of Fresnel cut portions. Since light from the plurality of lamps is incident on each Fresnel cut portion, it is possible to achieve a uniform, high-intensity light emission mode. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a lamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lamp device of FIG. 1 taken along the vertical direction (line AA). [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a region R in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lamp device of FIG. 1 taken along the horizontal line BB. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an area S in FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lamp device of FIG. 1 taken along the horizontal line CC. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of an area T in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described, but these may be modified and combined as appropriate. In the following description and accompanying drawings, substantially the same or equivalent parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0028] Fig. 1 is a front view of a lamp device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view (line AA) of the lamp device 1 in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view (line BB) of the lamp device 1 in Fig. 1, and Fig. 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view (line CC) of the lamp device 1 in Fig. 1.

[0029] The lamp device 1 shown in Fig. 1 is used as a tail light or blinker lamp that is mainly placed at the rear of a saddle-ride type vehicle such as a two-wheeled vehicle or a three-wheeled vehicle. The following description will be given taking as an example a case where the lamp device 1 is a tail light that has multiple light-emitting elements and is mounted on a motorcycle.

[0030] As shown in the cross-sectional view (cross-section taken along line AA) in Fig. 2, the lamp device 1 includes light-emitting elements 2 and 4, circuit boards 3 and 5, a lens unit 6, inner lenses 7a and 7b, etc. inside a housing 11. The front side of the housing 11 is covered with an outer lens 10. The periphery of the lens unit 6 is partially covered with an extension 8.

[0031] At least one light-emitting element 2 is mounted on the circuit board 3. The circuit board 3 is positioned and fixed within the housing 11. The optical axis of the light-emitting element 2 is set to be approximately parallel to the horizontal direction. As will be described in detail later, the circuit board 3 of this embodiment is provided with a light-emitting element 2 (the "light source" of the present invention) made up of multiple red LEDs.

[0032] The lens unit 6 has a Fresnel lens 6a and a projection lens (convex lens) 6b in the area R in the figure. Between the Fresnel lens 6a and the projection lens 6b is a neutral surface 6c (the "neutral portion" of the present invention) that connects them. In addition, a Fresnel lens 6e is provided below the lens unit 6. The lens unit 6 is fixed in place by a bracket or the like (not shown) inside the housing 11.

[0033] Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of region R in Fig. 2. Fresnel lens 6a (the "first lens portion" of the present invention) is a lens that condenses radial light emitted from light-emitting element 2. Furthermore, projection lens 6b (the "second lens portion" of the present invention) is provided below Fresnel lens 6a across neutral plane 6c. Projection lens 6b is an aspheric lens that enlarges and projects an image formed by light from light-emitting element 2 below the light from Fresnel lens 6a.

[0034] The neutral surface 6c connects the Fresnel lens 6a and the projection lens 6b, and has a flat plate shape extending in the horizontal direction (the lateral direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction (Z-axis direction) of the Fresnel lens 6a and the projection lens 6b). With this structure, the Fresnel lens 6a and the projection lens 6b become independent optical systems with respect to the light-emitting element 2, and their functions are divided.

[0035] As shown in Figure 3, the Fresnel lens 6a and the projection lens 6b each have a flat shape with the light incident surface facing the light emitting element 2. The lens unit 6 requires less precision than a lens unit in which two types of curved lenses are arranged in succession, which simplifies the design and reduces manufacturing costs.

[0036] During the manufacturing and design of the lens unit 6, the focal length L1 from the light-emitting element 2 (the plane on which the light-emitting element 2 is provided) to the Fresnel lens 6a can be changed by changing the size (length) of the neutral plane 6c. In addition, the focal length L2 from the light-emitting element 2 (the plane on which the light-emitting element 2 is provided) to the projection lens 6b can be changed by changing the size (length) of the neutral plane 6c and the adjustment surface 6d below the projection lens 6b. In this way, the focal lengths of the Fresnel lens 6a (forward illumination direction) and the projection lens 6b (road surface illumination direction) can be set individually.

[0037] The light that passes through the Fresnel lens 6a is further magnified by the inner lens 7a (see Figure 1) and illuminates the rear front of the motorcycle. The light that passes through the Fresnel lens 6a and is emitted to the outside is used as the first signal light for tail stop ("Light 1" in the figure).

[0038] In this embodiment, the light-emitting element 2 is disposed at the focal position f1 of the Fresnel lens 6a. This allows parallel light to be emitted in a direction parallel to the optical axis (Y-axis direction) of the Fresnel lens 6a. Although the Fresnel lens 6a is basically configured as described above, the optical axis of the irradiated light and the degree of light concentration are adjusted as appropriate depending on the light distribution required for the signal light and its relationship with other optical components.

[0039] The projection lens 6b is positioned so that its optical axis is parallel to the horizontal. The light that passes through the projection lens 6b passes through the area between the inner lenses 7a and 7b and illuminates the road surface behind the motorcycle. The light that passes through the projection lens 6b is used as a second signal light ("Light 2" in the figure) for illuminating the road surface.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 3, the focal position f2 of the projection lens 6b is located below the focal position f1. If the light-emitting element 2 were located at the focal position f2, light would be emitted in a direction parallel to the optical axis (Y-axis direction) of the projection lens 6b, so light from the light-emitting element 2 at the focal position f1 is made incident. In this way, by arranging the projection lens 6b so that the position of the focal point f2 of the projection lens 6b is below the light-emitting element 2 and configuring the optical axis of the projection lens 6b to be parallel to the horizontal direction, it is possible to illuminate the road surface behind the vehicle with part of the light from the light-emitting element 2.

[0041] As a modification of the projection lens 6b, the light-emitting element 2 is disposed at the focal point f1, and the focal point of the projection lens 6b is aligned with the focal point f1. The central axis of the projection lens 6b may be tilted downward, and the optical axis may be adjusted to be tilted downward from the horizontal. Even in this case, part of the light from the light-emitting element 2 can be used to illuminate the road surface behind the vehicle.

[0042] In the examples of Figures 2 and 3, the light-emitting element 2 is at approximately the same height as the neutral plane 6c, but if the size and erection angle of the adjustment surface 6d are changed during the manufacturing and design of the lens unit 6, the vertical position (Z-axis direction) of the neutral plane 6c relative to the light-emitting element 2 can be changed.

[0043] 2 and 3, the neutral plane 6c is slightly inclined with respect to the optical axis of the light-emitting element 2 for manufacturing reasons, but the neutral plane 6c may be configured to be parallel to the optical axis of the light-emitting element 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, by arranging the neutral plane 6c at approximately the same height as the light-emitting element 2, approximately the same amount of light is taken in by each of the Fresnel lens 6a and the projection lens 6b. Furthermore, by moving the position of the neutral plane 6c vertically with respect to the light-emitting element 2, the amount of light distributed to each of the Fresnel lens 6a and the projection lens 6b can be changed.

[0044] For example, if the neutral plane 6c is shifted downward relative to the light-emitting element 2, increasing the amount of light incident on the Fresnel lens 6a will result in a decrease in the amount of light incident on the projection lens 6b. Changing the distances L1 and L2 also affects the amount of incident light. Therefore, it is recommended to perform illuminance tests by shifting the vertical and horizontal positions of the neutral plane 6c by a few millimeters.

[0045] A circuit board 5 on which a light-emitting element 4 is mounted is disposed below the housing 11 (on the vehicle body side) (see Figure 2). The light emitted from the light-emitting element 4 passes through the Fresnel lens 6e and is further diffused by the inner lens 7b (see Figure 1) to illuminate the rear front of the motorcycle. Therefore, it is used as the first signal light for tail stop.

[0046] Next, a cross section of the lamp device 1 taken along line BB will be described with reference to FIG.

[0047] A plurality of light emitting elements 2 are arranged in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) on the circuit board 3. In Fig. 4, only the Fresnel lens 6a portion of the lens unit 6 is visible.

[0048] Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of region S in Fig. 4. The light-emitting element 2 in region S is composed of multiple red LEDs 2a to 2e ("lamps" of the present invention). The LEDs 2a to 2e are arranged at equal intervals in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction).

[0049] Fresnel lens 6a has Fresnel lens cut portions 6a1 to 6a5 on the front side of LEDs 2a to 2e, respectively. Distance L1 from the end face of circuit board 3 on which light-emitting element 2 is provided to the flat end face (incident surface) of Fresnel lens 6a is approximately equal to the focal length of Fresnel lens 6a.

[0050] For example, light emitted from LED 2b is mainly incident on Fresnel lens cut portion 6a2, but also on Fresnel lens cut portions 6a1 and 6a3 on both sides of Fresnel lens cut portion 6a2. In Fresnel lens cut portions 6a1 to 6a3, the incident light is converted into parallel light and diffused.

[0051] In this way, the light from each of the LEDs 2a to 2e is incident on the Fresnel cut portion on the front side and the adjacent Fresnel cut portion, so that the first signal light can be made into a linear light-emitting portion with uniform, high illuminance across the horizontal direction.

[0052] Next, a cross section of the lamp device 1 taken along line CC will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Only the projection lens 6b of the lens unit 6 is visible in Fig. 6. Although the light-emitting element 2 is shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 described later, it is not actually visible and is shown for the sake of convenience.

[0053] Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of region T in Fig. 6. The light-emitting elements 2 in region T are composed of LEDs 2a to 2e, and the projection lens 6b has convex portions 6b1 to 6b5 provided in front of the LEDs 2a to 2e, respectively. The distance from the end face of the circuit board 3 on which the light-emitting elements 2 are provided to the flat end face (incident surface) of the projection lens 6b is L2, which is shorter than the distance L1.

[0054] In this way, the components are arranged so that the shortest distance from the plane on which the light-emitting element 2 is provided to the projection lens 6b is shorter than the shortest distance from the plane to the Fresnel lens 6a. This makes it possible to increase the amount of light (capture amount) incident on the projection lens 6b from the light-emitting element 2. This improves the illumination efficiency of the second traffic light, and also makes it possible to provide a light-emitting section with high illuminance for illuminating the road surface.

[0055] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The lamp device 1 of this embodiment can also be used as a vehicle lamp for other signal lights such as a turn signal lamp. The lamp device 1 can also be applied to a vehicle lamp for four-wheeled vehicles.

[0056] A fisheye Fresnel lens may be used instead of the Fresnel lenses 6a and 6e of this embodiment. Since the light passing through the fisheye Fresnel lens can be controlled in both the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, the inner lenses 7a and 7b can be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1...lamp device, 2,4...light-emitting element, 2a to 2e...LED, 3,5...circuit board, 6...lens unit, 6a,6e...Fresnel lens, 6a1 to 6a5...Fresnel lens cut portion, 6b...projection lens, 6b1 to 6b5...convex portion, 6c...neutral surface, 6d...adjustment surface, 7a,7b...inner lens, 8...extension, 10...outer lens, 11...housing

Claims

1. a light source whose optical axis is approximately parallel to the horizontal direction; a lens unit having a first lens portion that collects a portion of the light from the light source, and a second lens portion that is disposed below the first lens portion and that illuminates a road surface by irradiating a portion of the light from the light source downward relative to the light from the first lens portion; the lens unit has a neutral portion located between the first lens portion and the second lens portion and connecting the first lens portion and the second lens portion, The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the neutral portion has a flat plate shape extending horizontally.

2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 , wherein the second lens portion is a convex lens.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light source is disposed at a focal position of the first lens portion.

4. 3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the first lens portion is a Fresnel lens.

5. 3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the second lens portion is disposed so that a focal position of the second lens portion is below the light source, and the optical axis of the second lens portion is configured to be parallel to the horizontal direction.

6. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light source is disposed at a focal position of the second lens portion, and the optical axis of the second lens portion is inclined downward from the horizontal direction.

7. 3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light source, the first lens portion, and the second lens portion are arranged so that a shortest distance from a plane on which the light source is provided to the second lens portion is shorter than a shortest distance from the plane to the first lens portion.

8. The light source includes a plurality of lamps arranged in a line, 3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the first lens portion is a Fresnel lens having a plurality of Fresnel cut portions.

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