Vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting fixture which allows a light emitting surface to emit light more uniformly, while satisfying a legal light distribution angle.SOLUTION: By a back surface on a tip side of a first light guide lens 6A and a front surface of a base end side of a second light guide lens 6B being connected with each other via a connection part 12a, a light emitting surface is formed in which a first light emitting surface 10a and a second light emitting surface 10b are continuous in the vehicle width direction. At the connection part 12a, a first lateral emission surface 15 is provided which emits part of first light L1 guided inside the first light guide lens 6A toward the inside in the vehicle width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a combination of a light source such as a light-emitting diode (LED) and a light-guiding lens such as an inner lens has been known as a vehicle lamp mounted on a vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). As designs become more diverse, various types of such vehicle lamps have been developed.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a configuration in which light emitted from a light source is incident on the base end side of a light-guiding lens and is guided toward the tip end side of the light-guiding lens, light reflected by a plurality of reflection cutouts provided on the back side of the light-guiding lens is emitted from the front side of the light-guiding lens, and light emitted from protrusions provided on the side of the light-guiding lens is irradiated toward the side. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-127357 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6560514 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the light repeatedly reflected inside the light guide lens heads toward the protrusion, and the light emitted from the protrusion toward the side becomes non-directional light (diffused light). As a result, the luminous intensity of the light emitted toward the side becomes too low, and there is a risk that the luminous intensity required by law will not be satisfied.

[0006] For example, the light emitted radially from an LED has an emission angle of 30° or more, so it is repeatedly reflected inside the light guide lens and spreads over a certain angle range as it is guided inside the light guide lens. As a result, the light heading towards the protrusion also spreads and is emitted from the protrusion to the side as diffused light.

[0007] For example, vehicle lighting fixtures that require lateral illumination, such as clearance lamps and turn signals, must satisfy the legal light distribution angle (visibility angle) within an angle range of +80° outward in the vehicle width direction, -45° inward, and ±15° up and down, with the position when the vehicle is viewed from the front being 0°.

[0008] However, with conventional vehicle lighting fixtures, even if light is projected toward the inside of the vehicle at -45° and the bottom at approximately -15° in the vehicle width direction, the luminous intensity becomes too weak, making it difficult to satisfy the above-mentioned legal light distribution angle (visibility angle).

[0009] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp that is capable of making the light-emitting surface emit light more uniformly while satisfying the legal light distribution angle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means. [1] A first light-emitting unit including a first light source and a first light-guiding lens, wherein the first light emitted from the first light source is incident on a base end side of the first light-guiding lens, the first light is guided toward a tip end side of the first light-guiding lens, and the first light reflected by a plurality of reflection cutouts provided on a back side of the first light-guiding lens is emitted from a front side of the first light-guiding lens, thereby causing a first light-emitting surface provided on the front side of the first light-guiding lens to emit light; a second light emitting unit including a second light source and a second light guiding lens, wherein the second light emitted from the second light source is incident on a base end side of the second light guiding lens, the second light is guided toward a tip end side of the second light guiding lens, and the second light reflected by a plurality of reflection cuts provided on a back side of the second light guiding lens is emitted from a front side of the second light guiding lens, thereby causing a second light emitting surface provided on the front side of the second light guiding lens to emit light; a rear surface on the tip end side of the first light guiding lens and a front surface on the base end side of the second light guiding lens are connected to each other via a connecting portion, so that the first light emitting surface and the second light emitting surface form a light emitting surface that is continuous in the vehicle width direction, The vehicle lamp is characterized in that the connecting portion is provided with a first side emission surface that emits a portion of the first light guided inside the first light guide lens toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. [2] The first light guiding lens includes an incident portion that allows the first light emitted from the first light source to enter inside, and a reflecting portion that reflects the first light that has entered from the incident portion toward a tip side, The vehicle lamp according to [1], characterized in that the first side exit surface emits, toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, the first light that is reflected by the reflecting portion and heads directly toward the first side exit surface, out of the first light that is guided inside the first light guide lens. [3] The vehicle lamp according to [1] or [2], characterized in that a second lateral exit surface is provided on the tip side of the second light guide lens, which emits a portion of the second light guided inside the second light guide lens toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. [4] An inner lens covering the front side of the first light guiding lens and the second light guiding lens is provided, the inner lens has a first transmitting portion that transmits a first light emitted from the first side exit surface and a second light emitted from the second side exit surface, The vehicular lamp according to [3], characterized in that the first transmitting portion is provided with a first light distribution control portion that controls the light distribution of the first light and the second light emitted from the first transmitting portion toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. [5] An outer lens covering the front side of the inner lens is provided, the outer lens has a second transmitting portion that transmits the first light and the second light that have transmitted through the first transmitting portion, The vehicular lamp according to [4], characterized in that the second transmitting portion is provided with a second light distribution control portion that controls the light distribution of the first light and the second light emitted from the second transmitting portion toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. [6] The connecting portion has a third light-emitting surface that emits a part of the second light guided inside the second light-guiding lens from a front side of the connecting portion, The vehicular lamp according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the third light-emitting surface is provided in a step portion formed between the first light-emitting surface and the first side-emitting surface. [7] A light emitting unit includes a light source and a light guide lens, and the light emitted from the light source is incident on a base end side of the light guide lens, and a first light is guided toward a tip end side of the light guide lens, and the light reflected by a plurality of reflection cutouts provided on a back side of the light guide lens is emitted from a front side of the light guide lens, thereby causing a light emitting surface provided on the front side of the light guide lens to emit light; The light guide lens includes an incident portion that causes light emitted from the light source to enter inside thereof, and a reflecting portion that reflects the light incident from the incident portion toward a tip side, A side exit surface is provided on the tip side of the light guide lens, which emits a part of the light guided inside the light guide lens toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. 、 The side exit surface emits, toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, light that is reflected by the reflecting portion and directly travels toward the side exit surface, out of the light guided inside the light guide lens. A vehicle lamp characterized by 。 [ 8 an inner lens covering the front side of the light guide lens; the inner lens has a first transmitting portion that transmits light emitted from the side emission surface, The first transmitting portion is provided with a first light distribution control portion that controls the distribution of light emitted from the first transmitting portion toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. 〕to The vehicle lamp described above. [ 9 an outer lens covering the front side of the inner lens; the outer lens has a second transmitting portion that transmits light that has transmitted through the first transmitting portion, The second transmitting portion is provided with a second light distribution control portion that controls the distribution of light emitted from the second transmitting portion toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. 8 ] A vehicle lamp according to the above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp that is capable of making the light emitting surface emit light more uniformly while satisfying the legal light distribution angle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a vehicle equipped with a vehicle lamp according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the configuration of the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 1 and the optical path of a first light. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a boxed portion A shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a boxed portion B shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 1 and the optical path of a second light. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a vehicle lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention and the optical path of light. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings used in the following description, 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.

[0014] 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 vehicle lamp, the Y-axis direction representing the left-to-right direction (width direction) of the vehicle lamp, and the Z-axis direction representing the up-to-down direction (height direction) of the vehicle lamp.

[0015] (First embodiment) As a first embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle lamp 1A shown in, for example, FIGS. 1 to 7 will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle 100 equipped with a vehicle lamp 1A. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the vehicle lamp 1A. FIG. 3 is a top view showing the configuration of the vehicle lamp 1A. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vehicle lamp 1A and the optical path of the first light L1. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the enclosed portion A shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the enclosed portion B shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vehicle lamp 1A and the optical path of the second light L2.

[0016] 1, the vehicle lamp 1A of this embodiment is an application of the present invention to a clearance lamp 102 that emits white light, which is part of a headlamp unit 101 mounted on both corners on the front end side of a vehicle 100 (in this embodiment, the corner on the right front end side). In addition to the clearance lamp 102, the headlamp unit 101 also includes a headlamp 103 that emits white light, and a turn signal lamp 104 that flashes in orange.

[0017] In the vehicle lighting fixture 1A of this embodiment, the clearance lamp 102, together with the turn signal lamp 104, has a legal light distribution angle (visibility angle) set within an angle range of +80° outward in the vehicle width direction, -45° inward, and ±15° in the vertical direction, with the position when the vehicle 100 is viewed from the front being 0°.

[0018] As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the vehicle lamp 1A of this embodiment has a lamp body 4 made up of a housing 2 with an open front and a transparent outer lens 3 that covers the opening of the housing 2.

[0019] In the lamp body 4, the outer lens 3 has an inclined shape that is tilted in a direction that the outer side is more retracted than the inner side in the vehicle width direction, in accordance with the slanted shape given to the corner portion on the front end side of the vehicle.

[0020] The outer lens 3 is not limited to such an inclined shape, but may be curved so that the outer side is more receding than the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The shape of the lamp body 4 can be changed as appropriate to suit the design of the vehicle, etc.

[0021] The vehicle lamp 1A of this embodiment comprises a first light-emitting unit 7A including a first light source 5A and a first light-guiding lens 6A, a second light-emitting unit 7B including a second light source 5B and a second light-guiding lens 6B, and an inner lens 8, all of which are arranged inside the lamp body 4.

[0022] The first light-emitting unit 7A receives the first light L1 emitted from the first light source 5A from the base end side of the first light-guiding lens 6A and guides the first light L1 toward the tip end side of the first light-guiding lens 6A, and also emits the first light L1 reflected by a plurality of reflection cuts 9a provided on the back side of the first light-guiding lens 6A from the front side of the first light-guiding lens 6A, thereby causing the first light-emitting surface 10a provided on the front side of the first light-guiding lens 6A to emit light.

[0023] The second light-emitting unit 7B receives the second light L2 emitted from the second light source 5B from the base end side of the second light-guiding lens 6B and guides the second light L2 toward the tip end side of the second light-guiding lens 6B, and also emits the second light L2 reflected by a plurality of reflection cuts 9b provided on the back side of the second light-guiding lens 6B from the front side of the second light-guiding lens 6B, thereby causing the second light-emitting surface 10b provided on the front side of the second light-guiding lens 6B to emit light.

[0024] The first light source 5A and the second light source 5B are formed of, for example, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit white light. The first light source 5A and the second light source 5B are mounted on one surface (the front surface in this embodiment) of each of the circuit boards 11A and 11B, and radially emit a first light L1 and a second light L2 in a direction perpendicular to the one surface (the front side) of each of the circuit boards 11A and 11B.

[0025] The first light guiding lens 6A and the second light guiding lens 6B are made of a light guiding body that guides the first light L1 and the second light L2 emitted from the first light source 5A and the second light source 5B. The first light guiding lens 6A and the second light guiding lens 6B can be made of a light-transmitting member made of a material with a refractive index higher than that of air, such as a transparent resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic, or glass.

[0026] The first light guide lens 6A and the second light guide lens 6B are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction and connected to each other via connecting portions 12a to form a single combined lens body 12. That is, in this combined lens body 12, the back surface of the tip end side of the first light guide lens 6A and the front surface of the base end side of the second light guide lens 6B are connected to each other via connecting portions 12a, so that the first light emitting surface 10a and the second light emitting surface 10b form a light emitting surface that is continuous in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the combined lens body 12 is arranged with the base end sides of the light guiding lenses 6A and 6B facing outward in the vehicle width direction and the tip sides of the light guiding lenses 6A and 6B facing inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0027] Further, incident portions 13a and 13b are provided on the base end side of each of the light guide lenses 6A and 6B, through which the light beams L1 and L2 emitted from the light sources 5A and 5B enter the interior of each of the light guide lenses 6A and 6B.

[0028] The incident portions 13a and 13b are located at the center of the portions facing the light sources 5A and 5B, and have a first light-collecting incident surface that is convex and based on a parabola in cross section, on which a portion of the light L1 and L2 emitted from the light sources 5A and 5B is incident. The incident portions 13a and 13b are located on the inner periphery of the portion that protrudes from a position surrounding the periphery of the first light-collecting incident surface toward the light sources 5A and 5B, and have a convex and based on a parabola in cross section, on which a portion of the light L1 and L2 emitted from the light sources 5A and 5B is incident. and a focusing reflecting surface that is a truncated cone based on a parabola in cross section and is located on the outer periphery of the protruding portion and reflects the light L1, L2 incident from the second focusing incident surface, so that the light L1, L2 incident from the first focusing incident surface is focused toward the optical axis, and the light L1, L2 incident from the second focusing incident surface is focused toward the optical axis by being reflected by the focusing reflecting surface.

[0029] This allows the light beams L1 and L2 emitted from the light sources 5A and 5B to be incident into the light guide lenses 6A and 6B while being collimated at the incident portions 13a and 13b.

[0030] Furthermore, reflecting portions 14a and 14b are provided at positions facing the incident portions 13a and 13b of the light guide lenses 6A and 6B, respectively, to reflect the light L1 and L2 incident from the incident portions 13a and 13b toward the tip ends of the light guide lenses 6A and 6B. The reflecting portions 14a and 14b are configured by reflecting surfaces inclined at a predetermined angle (45° with respect to the optical axes of the light L1 and L2 in this embodiment) toward the tip ends of the light guide lenses 6A and 6B.

[0031] In this embodiment, the inclination angle of the reflecting surfaces constituting the reflecting portions 14a and 14b is set to 45° with respect to the optical axes of the lights L1 and L2, but it can also be set to 45° or more.

[0032] The multiple reflection cutouts 9a, 9b are configured by grooves with a generally V-shaped cross section that are cut out across the top and bottom of each light guide lens 6A, 6B and are periodically arranged in the direction in which each light guide lens 6A, 6B extends (the vehicle width direction). Note that the shape of the grooves that make up the reflection cutouts 9a, 9b is not limited to the generally V-shaped cross section described above, and the tops of the grooves can be flat or curved.

[0033] In each of the light guide lenses 6A, 6B, the depth of the grooves constituting the plurality of reflection cuts 9a, 9b gradually increases from the base end toward the tip end so that there is no difference in the amount of light (brightness) of the light L1, L2 reflected toward the front side due to differences in the optical path lengths of the light L1, L2 guided from the base end toward the tip end. This makes it possible to uniformize the light L1, L2 reflected by the plurality of reflection cuts 9a, 9b between the base end and tip end of each of the light guide lenses 6A, 6B.

[0034] The first light-emitting surface 10a and the second light-emitting surface 10b are flat surfaces (planes), and emit the first light L1 and the second light L2 reflected by the plurality of reflection cutouts 9a, 9b from the front side of the first light-guiding lens 6A and the second light-guiding lens 6B. This allows the first light-emitting surface 10a and the second light-emitting surface 10b to emit white light as a light-emitting portion of the clearance lamp 102.

[0035] The inner lens 8 is made of a colorless (clear) transparent light-transmitting member and is arranged to cover the front sides of the first light-guiding lens 6A and the second light-guiding lens 6B. The inner lens 8 receives the first light L1 and the second light L2 emitted from the first light-emitting surface 10a and the second light-emitting surface 10b from the rear side and then emits the light to the outside from the front side.

[0036] In addition, the inner lens 8 has a plurality of diffusion cuts 8a on at least one of the back and front surfaces (the front surface in this embodiment) for diffusing the first light L1 and second light L2 emitted from the inner lens 8 to the outside.

[0037] Examples of the diffusion cut 8a include lens cuts called flute cuts or fisheye cuts, and uneven structures formed by knurling or embossing. The degree of diffusion of the emitted light L1 and L2 can be controlled by adjusting the shape of the diffusion cut 8a. In this embodiment, the diffusion cut 8a is a fisheye cut that diffuses the light L1 and L2 emitted from the inner lens 8 in the vertical and longitudinal directions of the vehicle.

[0038] The outer lens 3 is made of a colorless (clear) transparent light-transmitting material and is arranged to cover the front side of the inner lens 8. The outer lens 3 receives the first light L1 and the second light L2 emitted from the inner lens 8 from the rear side and then emits them to the outside from the front side.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, the connecting portion 12a of this embodiment is provided with a first lateral exit surface 15 that emits a portion of the first light L1 guided inside the first light-guiding lens 6A toward the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0040] The first side exit surface 15 is located on the tip side of the first light guiding lens 6A, faces the reflecting portion 14a, and is configured as a flat surface (plane) along the front-to-rear direction. As a result, the first side exit surface 15 emits, toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, the first light L1 that is reflected by the surface of the reflecting portion 14a closer to the front and heads directly toward the first side exit surface 15, out of the first light L1 that is guided inside the first light guiding lens 6A.

[0041] On the other hand, the first light L1 reflected by other surfaces of the reflecting portion 14a and directed toward the back side of the first light-guiding lens 6A is reflected by the multiple reflection cuts 9a toward the front side of the first light-guiding lens 6A and is emitted from the first light-emitting surface 10a.

[0042] The groove portion that constitutes the reflection cut 9a is based on the above-mentioned approximately V-shaped cross section, but by making the top of the groove portion flat or curved, the first light L1 is not only reflected toward the front side of the first light-guiding lens 6A, but also guided toward the tip side of the first light-guiding lens 6A while repeatedly being reflected inside the first light-guiding lens 6A.

[0043] Furthermore, the first lateral emission surface 15 is a flat surface (plane) along the front-rear direction as described above, but it may also be a flat surface slightly inclined from the front-rear direction. Furthermore, to facilitate refracting the first light L1 in a forward oblique direction, the surface may be inclined more toward the tip as it extends rearward. The refraction angle can be adjusted by adjusting the angle of this flat surface. Furthermore, this surface may be provided with cuts (for example, sawtooth cuts) for refraction control.

[0044] As shown in Figure 7, a second lateral exit surface 16 is provided on the tip side of the second light-guiding lens 6B, which emits a portion of the second light L2 guided inside the second light-guiding lens 6B toward the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0045] The second lateral emission surface 16 is formed of a part of the second light-emitting surface 10b, and emits the second light L2 guided inside the second light-guiding lens 6B from the second light-emitting surface 10b on the tip side of the second light-guiding lens 6B toward the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0046] Furthermore, the second light L2 guided inside the second light guide lens 6B is designed so that the light L2 reflected by the second reflecting portion does not head directly toward the tip of the second light guide lens 6B. Therefore, the second light L2 reflected by the reflecting portion 14b heads toward the back side of the second light guide lens 6B, is reflected by the multiple reflection cuts 9b toward the front side of the second light guide lens 6B, and is emitted from the second light emitting surface 10b.

[0047] The groove portion that constitutes the reflection cut 9b is based on the above-mentioned approximately V-shaped cross section, but by making the top of the groove portion flat or curved, the second light L2 is not only reflected toward the front side of the second light-guiding lens 6B, but is also guided toward the tip side of the second light-guiding lens 6B while repeatedly being reflected inside the second light-guiding lens 6B.

[0048] Furthermore, the tip of the second light guiding lens 6B is formed in a triangular shape (or may be semicircular). Therefore, the second light L2 incident on the tip of the second light guiding lens 6B is reflected toward the base end side of the second light guiding lens 6B, reflected by the plurality of reflection cutouts 9b toward the front side of the second light guiding lens 6B, and then emitted from the second light emitting surface 10b.

[0049] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 7, the inner lens 8 is provided with a first transmitting portion 17 that transmits the first light L1 emitted from the first lateral exit surface 15 and the second light L2 emitted from the second lateral exit surface 16.

[0050] The first transmitting portion 17 is provided on a standing wall portion extending rearward from the inside in the vehicle width direction of the inner lens 8. The first transmitting portion 17 is also provided with a first light distribution control portion 18 that controls the light distribution of the first light L1 and the second light L2 emitted from the first transmitting portion 17 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0051] The first light distribution control section 18 is made up of a plurality of prism cuts, and refracts the first light L1 and the second light L2 that are incident on the first transmitting section 17, while controlling the light distribution of the first light L1 and the second light L2 so that they are directed from the first transmitting section 17 inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0052] In this embodiment, the first light distribution control unit 18 is provided on the inner surface of the first transmitting unit 17, but the first light distribution control unit 18 may also be provided on the outer surface of the first transmitting unit 17.

[0053] In addition, as shown in Figures 4, 6 and 7, the outer lens 3 is provided with a second transmitting portion 19 that transmits the first light L1 and second light L2 that have transmitted through the first transmitting portion 17.

[0054] The second transmitting portion 19 is provided on a standing wall portion extending rearward from the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the outer lens 3. The second transmitting portion 19 is also provided with a second light distribution control portion 20 that controls the light distribution of the first light L1 and the second light L2 emitted from the second transmitting portion 19 toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

[0055] The second light distribution control section 20 is made up of a plurality of prism cuts, and refracts the first light L1 and the second light L2 incident on the second transmitting section 19, while controlling the light distribution of the first light L1 and the second light L2 so that they are directed from the second transmitting section 19 inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0056] In this embodiment, the second light distribution control unit 20 is provided on the inner surface of the second transmitting unit 19, but the second light distribution control unit 20 may also be provided on the outer surface of the second transmitting unit 19.

[0057] Additionally, an end of a grille 105 of the vehicle 100 is located behind an upright wall portion that extends rearward from the inside in the vehicle width direction of the outer lens 3. The second transmitting portion 19 is disposed forward of the end of the grille 105. As a result, the first light L1 and the second light L2 emitted from the second transmitting portion 19 are irradiated toward the inside in the vehicle width direction without being blocked by the grille 105.

[0058] In the vehicle lighting fixture 1A of this embodiment, the first light L1 and second light L2 emitted toward the inside in the vehicle width direction as described above can satisfy the legal light distribution angle (viewing angle) when the clearance lamp 102 is viewed from a direction of -45° inside and -15° below in the vehicle width direction.

[0059] That is, the vehicle lamp 1A of this embodiment can satisfy the above-mentioned regulated light distribution angle (visibility angle) while maintaining the luminous intensity of the first light L1 and the second light L2 that are irradiated toward the inside of the vehicle at -45° and the bottom at approximately -15° in the vehicle width direction.

[0060] In addition, as shown in Figure 7, the connecting portion 12a of this embodiment has a third light-emitting surface 10c that emits a portion of the second light L2 guided inside the second light-guiding lens 6B from the front side of the connecting portion 12a.

[0061] The third light-emitting surface 10c is provided on a step portion 21 formed between the first light-emitting surface 10a of the first light-guiding lens 6A and the first side-emitting surface 15. That is, the step portion 21 is provided on the connecting portion 12a so that the third light-emitting surface 10c is set back from the first light-emitting surface 10a.

[0062] The step portion 21 is made of a flat surface (plane) and has a shape that is inclined toward the base end side of the first light guiding lens 6A as it goes rearward. Therefore, even if there is first light L1 heading toward the step portion 21, it does not head toward the front side of the first light guiding lens 6A, but becomes stray light (point light) and is not emitted from the first light emitting surface 10a side.

[0063] As a result, in the vehicle lamp 1A of this embodiment, a portion of the second light L2 guided inside the second light-guiding lens 6B can be emitted from the third light-emitting surface 10c toward the front side of the connecting portion 12a.

[0064] On the other hand, if such a step portion 21 is not provided and an inclined third light-emitting surface 10c is provided between the first light-emitting surface 10a and the first side light-emitting surface 15 of the first light-guiding lens 6A, the second light L2 reflected by this third light-emitting surface 10c will become stray light (point light) and will be emitted from the first light-emitting surface 10a side.

[0065] As described above, the vehicle lamp 1A of this embodiment can make the light-emitting surfaces 10a, 10b, and 10c of the clearance lamp 102 emit light more uniformly in the vehicle width direction while satisfying the above-mentioned legal light distribution angle (visibility angle).

[0066] (Second embodiment) Next, a vehicle lamp 1B shown in FIG. 8 will be described as a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] It is to be noted that this is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vehicular lamp 1B and the optical path of the light L. In the following description, the same parts as those in the vehicular lamp 1A will not be described and will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0068] The vehicle lamp 1B of this embodiment includes a light emitting unit 7 including a light source 5 and a light guide lens 6, and an inner lens 8, which are arranged inside the lamp body 4.

[0069] The light emitting unit 7 receives light L emitted from the light source 5 on the circuit board 11 through an incident portion 13 on the base end side of the light guide lens 6, reflects the light L at a reflecting portion 14 located opposite the incident portion 13, and then guides the light L toward the tip side of the light guide lens 6. At the same time, the light L reflected by a plurality of reflection cuts 9 provided on the back side of the light guide lens 6 is emitted from the front side of the light guide lens 6, causing the light emitting surface 10 provided on the front side of the light guide lens 6 to emit light.

[0070] That is, this light-emitting unit 7 has basically the same configuration as the first light-emitting unit 7A, except that it is not connected to the second light-emitting unit 7B described above.

[0071] On the other hand, in the vehicle lamp 1B of this embodiment, a lateral emission surface 22 is provided on the tip side of the light guide lens 6, which emits a portion of the light L guided inside the light guide lens 6 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0072] The side emission surface 22 is located on the tip side of the light guiding lens 6, and is configured as a flat surface (plane) along the front-to-rear direction while facing the reflecting section 14. As a result, the side emission surface 22 emits, toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, light L that is guided inside the light guiding lens 6 and is reflected by the surface of the reflecting section 14 closer to the front and goes directly toward the side emission surface 22.

[0073] On the other hand, light L reflected by other surfaces of the reflecting portion and directed toward the back side of the light guide lens 6 is reflected by the plurality of reflection cuts 9 toward the front side of the light guide lens 6 and emitted from the light emitting surface 10.

[0074] Meanwhile, the inner lens 8 is provided with a first transmitting portion 17 that transmits the light L emitted from the side emission surface 22. The first transmitting portion 17 is also provided with a first light distribution control portion 18 that controls the light distribution of the light L emitted from the first transmitting portion 17 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0075] The outer lens 3 is also provided with a second transmitting portion 19 that transmits the light L that has transmitted through the first transmitting portion 17. The second transmitting portion 19 is also provided with a second light distribution control portion 20 that controls the light distribution of the light L emitted from the second transmitting portion 19 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0076] In the vehicle lighting fixture 1B of this embodiment having the above-described configuration, the light L irradiated toward the inside in the vehicle width direction as described above makes it possible to satisfy the legal light distribution angle (viewing angle) when the clearance lamp 102 is viewed from a direction of -45° inside and -15° below in the vehicle width direction.

[0077] In other words, the vehicle lamp 1B of this embodiment can satisfy the above-mentioned legal light distribution angle (visibility angle) while maintaining the luminous intensity of the light L emitted toward the inside of the vehicle at -45° and the bottom at approximately -15° in the vehicle width direction.

[0078] Although the lateral emission surface 22 is a flat surface (plane) along the front-to-rear direction as described above, it may also be a flat surface slightly inclined from the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, to facilitate refracting the light L in a forward oblique direction, the surface may be inclined more toward the tip as it extends rearward. The refraction angle can be adjusted by adjusting the angle of this flat surface. Furthermore, this surface may be provided with cuts (for example, sawtooth cuts) for refraction control.

[0079] 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-mentioned vehicle lamp 1A, the first light-guiding lens 6A and the second light-guiding lens 6B are connected to each other via the connecting portion 12a to form a single lens combination 12, but it is also possible to extend the lens combination 12 in the vehicle width direction by sequentially connecting one light-guiding lens that becomes the first light-guiding lens 6A and the other light-guiding lens that becomes the second light-guiding lens 6B via the connecting portion 12a.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned vehicle lamps 1A and 1B, the above-mentioned light-emitting surfaces 10a, 10b, and 10 are flat surfaces (planes), and the inner lens 8 is provided with a plurality of diffusion cuts 8a for diffusing L1, L2, and L, but it is also possible to provide a configuration in which a plurality of diffusion cuts are provided on the light-emitting surfaces 10a, 10b, and 10 side.

[0081] Furthermore, the above-mentioned vehicle lamps 1A, 1B are configured so that a portion of the light L1, L2, L guided inside the above-mentioned light-guiding lenses 6A, 6B, 6 is emitted inward in the vehicle width direction, but if the arrangement is reversed, it is also possible to configure so that a portion of the light L1, L2, L guided inside the light-guiding lenses 6A, 6B, 6 is emitted outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the present invention is exemplified as being applied to the above-mentioned clearance lamp 102, but in addition to this clearance lamp, the present invention can also be suitably used for vehicle lighting fixtures that require lateral illumination, such as turn signals.

[0083] Furthermore, the vehicle lamps to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the front vehicle lamps described above, but can also be applied to rear vehicle lamps such as rear combination lamps, etc. In this case, the present invention can be suitably used not only for rear turn lamps, but also for vehicle lamps that require side illumination, such as stop lamps, tail lamps, and back lamps.

[0084] Furthermore, the color of the light L1, L2, L emitted by the light sources 5A, 5B, 5 is not limited to the white light described above, but can be changed appropriately to red light, orange light, or the like depending on the application of the vehicle lamp. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A, 1B...vehicle lamp 2...housing 3...outer lens 4...lamp body 5...light source 5A...first light source 5B...second light source 6...light guide lens 6A...first light guide lens 6B...second light guide lens 7...light emitting unit 7A...first light emitting unit 7B...second light emitting unit 8...inner lens 9, 9a, 9b...reflection cut 10...light emitting surface 10a...first light emitting surface 10b...second light emitting surface 10c...third light emitting surface 11, 11A, 11B...circuit board 12...lens assembly 12a...connecting portion 13, 13a, 13b...incident portion 14, 14a, 14b...reflecting portion 15...first side exit surface 16...second side exit surface 17...first transmitting portion 18...first light distribution control portion 19... Second transmitting portion 20... Second light distribution control portion 21... Step portion 22... Side emission surface 100... Vehicle 101... Headlamp unit 102... Clearance lamp 103... Headlamp 104... Turn lamp 105... Grill L... Light L1... First light L2... Second light

Claims

1. a first light-emitting unit including a first light source and a first light-guiding lens, wherein the first light emitted from the first light source is incident on a base end side of the first light-guiding lens, the first light is guided toward a tip end side of the first light-guiding lens, and the first light reflected by a plurality of reflection cutouts provided on a back side of the first light-guiding lens is emitted from a front side of the first light-guiding lens, thereby causing a first light-emitting surface provided on the front side of the first light-guiding lens to emit light; a second light emitting unit including a second light source and a second light guiding lens, which receives second light emitted from the second light source from a base end side of the second light guiding lens, guides the second light toward a tip end side of the second light guiding lens, and emits the second light reflected by a plurality of reflection cuts provided on a back side of the second light guiding lens from a front side of the second light guiding lens, thereby causing a second light emitting surface provided on the front side of the second light guiding lens to emit light; a rear surface on the tip end side of the first light guiding lens and a front surface on the base end side of the second light guiding lens are connected to each other via a connecting portion, so that the first light emitting surface and the second light emitting surface form a light emitting surface that is continuous in the vehicle width direction, The vehicle lamp is characterized in that the connecting portion is provided with a first lateral emission surface that emits a portion of the first light guided inside the first light guide lens toward the inside in the vehicle width direction.

2. The first light guiding lens includes an incident portion that allows the first light emitted from the first light source to enter inside, and a reflecting portion that reflects the first light incident from the incident portion toward a tip side, 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the first side exit surface emits, toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, a first light, of the first light guided inside the first light guide lens, that is reflected by the reflecting portion and heads directly toward the first side exit surface.

3. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein a second lateral exit surface is provided at a tip side of the second light guide lens, which emits a portion of the second light guided inside the second light guide lens toward the inside in the vehicle width direction.

4. an inner lens that covers a front side of the first light guiding lens and the second light guiding lens; the inner lens has a first transmitting portion that transmits a first light emitted from the first side exit surface and a second light emitted from the second side exit surface, 4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 3, wherein the first transmitting portion is provided with a first light distribution control portion that controls the light distribution of the first light and the second light emitted from the first transmitting portion toward the inside in the vehicle width direction.

5. An outer lens covering the front side of the inner lens is provided, the outer lens has a second transmitting portion that transmits the first light and the second light that have transmitted through the first transmitting portion, 5. The vehicular lamp according to claim 4, wherein the second transmitting portion is provided with a second light distribution control portion that controls the light distribution of the first light and the second light emitted from the second transmitting portion toward the inside in the vehicle width direction.

6. the connecting portion has a third light-emitting surface that emits a portion of the second light guided inside the second light-guiding lens from a front side of the connecting portion, The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the third light-emitting surface is provided on a step portion formed between the tip of the first light-guiding lens and the first side emission surface.

7. a light emitting unit including a light source and a light guide lens, which receives light emitted from the light source from a base end side of the light guide lens, guides a first light toward a tip end side of the light guide lens, and emits light reflected by a plurality of reflection cutouts provided on a back side of the light guide lens from a front side of the light guide lens, thereby causing a light emitting surface provided on the front side of the light guide lens to emit light; The light guide lens includes an incident portion that causes light emitted from the light source to enter inside thereof, and a reflecting portion that reflects the light incident from the incident portion toward a tip side, A side emission surface is provided on a tip side of the light guide lens, and the side emission surface emits a part of the light guided inside the light guide lens toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, The lateral exit surface emits, toward the inside of the vehicle width direction, light that is guided inside the light-guiding lens and is reflected by the reflecting portion and heads directly toward the lateral exit surface.

8. An inner lens covering the front side of the light guide lens is provided, the inner lens has a first transmitting portion that transmits light emitted from the side emission surface, 8. The vehicular lamp according to claim 7, wherein the first transmitting portion is provided with a first light distribution control portion that controls the distribution of light emitted from the first transmitting portion toward the inside in the vehicle width direction.

9. An outer lens covering the front side of the inner lens is provided, the outer lens has a second transmitting portion that transmits light that has transmitted through the first transmitting portion, 9. The vehicular lamp according to claim 8, wherein the second transmitting portion is provided with a second light distribution control portion that controls the distribution of light emitted from the second transmitting portion toward the inside in the vehicle width direction.

Images