Vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting fixture capable of surface light emitting with a thin structure.SOLUTION: A vehicular lighting fixture 10 takes in light from an LED 30 from a light guiding portion 18A, and leads it to a rod-shaped light-guiding lens 18B extending to a side part. By rotations of a motor 14, the light-guiding lens 18B is made to draw a disc-shaped trajectory. Light is emitted by a diffusion lens 26 without expanding light from the light-guiding lens 18B, so that the light-guiding lens 18B and the diffusion lens 26 can be proximately disposed, and the thickness of the vehicular lighting fixture can be made thin.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a surface-emitting vehicle lamp, and more particularly to a vehicle lamp that can be used as a rear lamp. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle lamp that reduces the number of LEDs by using a light guide lens. In Patent Document 1, the distance between the light guide lens and the diffusing lens is increased to spread the light from the light guide lens, enabling surface emission by the diffusing lens. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-111107 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the distance between the light guide lens and the diffusing lens is set to 20 mm or more, which enables surface emission, but this results in a problem of thickness. Furthermore, since light is emitted along the light guide lens, the surface emission is rod-shaped, and it is not possible to emit light in a disc shape.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp that is thin and capable of surface emission. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle lamp 10 of the present invention comprises an LED 30, a light guide 18 consisting of a light guide section 18A facing the LED, and one or more pairs of rod-shaped light guide lenses 18B extending laterally from the light guide section, a motor 14 that supports the center of the light guide 18 and rotates the light guide lenses 18B so that they trace a disk-shaped trajectory, and a light-transmitting lens 26 provided in a position opposite the light guide. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The vehicle lamp of the present invention takes in light from an LED through a light guide section and directs it to a rod-shaped light guide lens extending laterally. Rotation of the motor causes the light guide lens to trace a disc-shaped trajectory. The afterimage effect of the light guide lens allows it to emit light in a disc shape. Because the light from the light guide lens is emitted by the translucent lens without spreading, the light guide lenses can be positioned close to each other, allowing the thickness of the vehicle lamp to be reduced. Because light from the LED is taken in through the light guide section and directed to the rod-shaped light guide lens extending laterally, surface emission can be achieved with a single LED.

[0008] Claim 1 The vehicle lighting fixture has a light guide lens with blades for cooling the LED. The blades of the light-guiding lens rotated by a motor circulate the air inside the vehicle lamp, cooling the LED and preventing fogging of the transparent lens. Because the LED is cooled, thermal countermeasures such as aluminum substrates and heat sinks are not required. Because no thermal countermeasures are required, the power supply board to the LED can be made smaller. Because fogging of the transparent lens can be prevented, there is no need for lens anti-fog coating, ventilation caps, ventilation sheets, etc.

[0009] Claim 1 In the vehicle lamp, the blades are inclined with respect to the extending direction of the light guide lens. Rod-shaped Light guide lens Outer perimeter of The rotation of the motor causes the light guide lens to trace a disk-shaped path, and the blades, which are plate-shaped members attached to the light guide lens, efficiently circulate air inside the vehicle lamp, cooling the LED.

[0010] Claim 2 In this vehicle lamp, the light guide section is a short cylinder extending toward the LED, and a reflective surface is provided between the light guide section and the light guide lens to reflect the light from the light guide section toward the light guide lens. The light from the LED is taken into the light guide section, and the taken-in light can be efficiently reflected by the reflective surface toward the light guide lens.

[0011] Claim 3 In this vehicle lamp, the reflective surface is made up of a cutout in the light guide provided between the light guide section and the motor. Light from the LED is taken in by the light guide section, and the reflective surface made up of the cutout can efficiently reflect the light towards the light guide lens. Because the reflective surface is made up of a cutout, it can be easily formed.

[0012] Claim 4 In the vehicle lamp of , an LED is housed in an opening provided in the center of a translucent lens. The LED can be placed at the center of a disc-shaped surface emission, so light from the LED can be efficiently emitted from the disc-shaped surface.

[0013] Claim 5 In the vehicle lamp of the above, a cover is provided on a board for supplying power to the LEDs provided on the light-transmitting lens, thereby hiding the power supply board. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a rear view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2(A) is a bottom view of the vehicle lamp of the embodiment, FIG. 2(B) is a plan view of the vehicle lamp, FIG. 2(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. 2(B), and FIG. 2(D) is a cross-sectional view taken along DD in FIG. 2(B). [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of components of the vehicle lamp according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4(A) is a perspective view of the vehicle lamp according to the embodiment, and FIG. 4(B) is a perspective view of the vehicle lamp with the cover removed. [Figure 5] FIG. 5(A) is a perspective view of the vehicle lamp of the embodiment with the cover and the substrate removed, and FIG. 5(B) is a perspective view of the vehicle lamp with the light-transmitting lens removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 6(A) is a plan view of a light guide of a vehicle lamp according to a first modified example of the embodiment, and FIG. 6(B) is a plan view of a light guide of a vehicle lamp according to a second modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] FIG. 1 is a rear view of a vehicle 100 equipped with a vehicle lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle lighting fixture (tail lamp) 10 consists of a pair of right and left tail lamps 10R and 10L. A linear molding 104 is provided above the license plate 102, and the cover 38 on the right tail lamp 10R, the molding 104, and the cover 38 on the left tail lamp 10L form a straight line. This gives the vehicle 100 a sharp impression when viewed from behind.

[0016] Fig. 2(A) is a bottom view of the vehicle lamp 10 of the embodiment, Fig. 2(B) is a plan view of the vehicle lamp 10, Fig. 2(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in Fig. 2(B), and Fig. 2(D) is a cross-sectional view taken along DD in Fig. 2(B). Fig. 3 is a perspective view of components of the vehicle lamp 10 of the embodiment. The vehicle lamp 10 includes a short cylindrical housing 42 shown in Figures 2(C) and 3, a motor 14, a light guide 18 having a pair of light guide lenses 18B, a disc-shaped diffusion lens (translucent lens) 26 facing the light guide 18, an LED 30 that emits red light, a board 34 for supplying power to the LED 30, and an L-shaped cover 38 that covers the board 34.

[0017] 2(C) and 3, the housing 42 has a disk-shaped bottom 42A, a sleeve-shaped side portion 42B provided on the outer periphery of the bottom 42A, and a recess 42C for accommodating the motor provided in the center of the bottom 42A. The motor 14 has a cylindrical main body 14A and a rotating shaft 14B protruding from the main body 14A. The rotating shaft 14B has an inverted V-shaped portion 14Ba whose cross section including the axial direction XX of the rotating shaft is inverted V-shaped, and a light guide lens receiving portion 14Bb whose cross section is semicircular and perpendicular to the ridge line of the inverted V-shaped portion 14Ba.

[0018] The light guide 18 comprises a short cylindrical light guide section 18A extending toward the LED and a pair of rod-shaped light guide lenses 18B extending laterally from the light guide section 18A. The top 18Aa of the light guide section 18A faces the LED. The light guide lenses 18B extend in a direction YY perpendicular to the axial direction XX of the motor. The light guide lenses 18B have a step (not shown) on their bottom surface (the surface facing the housing), which reflects the light upward and emits it from their top surface (the surface facing the diffusing lens). A reflective surface 18C is provided between the light guide section 18A and the light guide lenses 18B, reflecting the light from the light guide section 18A toward the light guide lenses 18B. The reflective surface 18C is provided directly below the light guide section 18A. The reflective surface 18C is a notch with an inverted V-shaped cross section in the light guide 18 provided between the light guide section 18A and the rotation shaft 14B of the motor 14.

[0019] Fig. 5(B) is a perspective view of the vehicle lamp with the translucent lens removed. As shown in Fig. 5(B) and Fig. 3, the light guide lens 18B is provided with blades 22 for cooling the LEDs. The blades 22 are plate-like members provided on the light guide lens at an angle with respect to the extension direction (vertical direction) YY of the light guide lens 18B, which extends perpendicular to the axial direction XX of the motor. With the axial direction XX as 90°, the blades 22 are provided on the light guide lens 18B at an angle of 30° to 60°. Slits may be provided in the plate-like members.

[0020] The motor 14 supports a reflective surface 18C with an inverted V-shaped cross section that is provided at the center (center of gravity) of the light guide 18. An inverted V-shaped portion 14Ba of the rotating shaft 14B fits into the inverted V-shaped reflective surface 18C, and a base 18Ba of the light guide lens 18B on the side of the reflective surface 18C fits into a semicircular cross-sectional light guide lens receiving portion 14Bb of the rotating shaft 14B. The motor 14 rotates the light guide lens 18B so that it traces a disc-shaped path. As described above, by fixing the light guide 18 to the rotating shaft 14B in a cross-shaped manner using the inverted V-shaped portion 14Ba and the light guide lens receiving portion 14Bb, rattles are unlikely to occur even when the light guide 18 is rotated at high speed by the motor 14.

[0021] Fig. 5(A) is a perspective view of a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment with the cover, substrate, and LED removed. As shown in Fig. 5(A), Fig. 2(D), and Fig. 3, an opening 26a for accommodating an LED is provided at the center of the diffusion lens (translucent lens) 26. The LED 30 attached to the power supply substrate 34 is positioned at the center of the opening 26a. The diffusion lens 26 is made of a red resin flat translucent lens. The surface of the diffusion lens 26 is provided with an uneven surface. The diffusion lens 26 may be transparent.

[0022] Fig. 4(A) is a perspective view of a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment, and Fig. 4(B) is a perspective view of the vehicle lamp with the cover removed. As shown in Fig. 4(B), a substrate 34 is provided on a diffusion lens (translucent lens) 26. As shown in Fig. 4(A), the substrate is covered and hidden by an L-shaped cover 38. The cover 38 is made up of a front portion 38a on the diffusion lens 26 and a side portion 38b facing a side portion 42B of the housing 42.

[0023] The vehicle lamp 10 of this embodiment receives light from the LED 30 through the light guide section 18A and guides it to the rod-shaped light guide lens 18B extending laterally. Rotation of the motor 14 causes the light guide lens 18B to trace a disc-shaped path. The persistence of image effect of the light guide lens 18B allows it to emit light in a disc-like pattern. Because the light from the light guide lens 18B is emitted by the diffusion lens (translucent lens) 26 without spreading, the light guide lens 18B and the diffusion lens (translucent lens) 26 can be positioned close to each other (with a clearance of approximately 2 mm), allowing the thickness of the vehicle lamp 10 to be reduced. The volume of the vehicle lamp 10 protruding toward the trunk compartment can be reduced, allowing the trunk compartment volume to be increased. Because light from the LED 30 is received through the light guide section 18A and guided to the rod-shaped light guide lens 18B extending laterally, a single LED 30 can achieve surface emission.

[0024] In the vehicle lamp 10 of this embodiment, the light guide lens 18B is provided with blades 22 for cooling the LEDs 30. The blades 22 of the light guide lens 18B, which are rotated by the motor 14, circulate air inside the vehicle lamp 10, cooling the LEDs 30 and preventing fogging of the diffusion lens (translucent lens) 26. Since the relatively high-output LED 30, which serves as a light source by itself, is efficiently cooled, thermal countermeasures such as an aluminum substrate or heat sink are not required. Since no thermal countermeasures are required, the substrate 34 for supplying power to the LEDs 30 can be made smaller. Since fogging of the diffusion lens (translucent lens) 26 can be prevented, there is no need for an anti-fog coating for the lens, a ventilation cap, a ventilation sheet, etc.

[0025] In the vehicle lamp 10 of the embodiment, the blades 22 are plate-like members provided on the light guide lens 18B at an angle with respect to the extension direction of the light guide lens 18B. By causing the light guide lens 18B to trace a disk-shaped trajectory with the rotation of the motor 14, the blades 22, which are plate-like members attached to the light guide lens 18B, can efficiently circulate air within the vehicle lamp 10 and cool the LEDs 30.

[0026] In the vehicle lamp 10 of the embodiment, the light guiding section 18A has a short cylindrical shape extending toward the LED 30, and a reflective surface 18C that reflects light from the light guiding section 18A toward the light guiding lens 18B is provided between the light guiding section 18A and the light guiding lens 18B. Light from the LED 30 is taken into the light guiding section 18A, and the taken-in light can be efficiently reflected by the reflective surface 18C toward the light guiding lens 18B.

[0027] In the vehicle lamp 10 of this embodiment, the reflective surface 18C is formed by a cutout having an inverted V-shaped cross section in the light guide provided between the light guide section 18A and the motor 14. Light from the LED 30 is taken in by the light guide section 18A, and the light can be efficiently reflected by the reflective surface 18C formed by the cutout toward the light guide lens 18B. Because the reflective surface 18C is formed by the cutout, it is easy to form the reflective surface 18C.

[0028] In the vehicle lamp 10 of the embodiment, the LED 30 is housed in an opening 26a provided in the center of the diffusion lens (light-transmitting lens) 26. Since the LED 30 can be placed at the center of the disk-shaped surface emission, the light from the LED 30 can efficiently emit light from the disk-shaped surface.

[0029] In the vehicle lamp 10 of the embodiment, a cover 38 is provided on a board 34 for supplying power to the LEDs 30 provided on a diffusion lens (light-transmitting lens) 26, to cover the board 34. The power supply board 34 can be hidden.

[0030] FIG. 6(A) is a plan view of a light guide 18 of a vehicle lamp according to a first modified example of the embodiment. The light guide 18 of the vehicle lamp according to the first modified example has three light guide lenses 18B arranged at an angle of 120°. The vehicle lamp according to the first modified example is capable of surface emission equivalent to that of the vehicle lamp according to the embodiment even when the rotation speed of the motor is reduced to two-thirds.

[0031] FIG. 6(B) is a plan view of a light guide of a vehicle lamp according to a second modified example of the embodiment. The light guide 18 of the vehicle lamp according to the first modified example has four light guide lenses 18B arranged at right angles to each other at 90°. The vehicle lamp 10 according to the second modified example is capable of surface emission equivalent to that of the vehicle lamp according to the embodiment even when the motor rotation speed is reduced to half. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 10. Vehicle lighting fixtures (tail lamps) 14 Motor 18 Light guide 18A light guide 18B Light guide lens 18C reflective surface 22 Feather 26 Diffusion lens (translucent lens) 30 LED 34 PCB 38 Cover

Claims

1. An LED, a light guide body including a light guide portion facing the LED and one or more rod-shaped light guide lenses extending laterally from the light guide portion; a motor that supports the center of the light guide body and rotates the light guide lens so as to draw a disk-shaped locus; a light-transmitting lens provided at a position facing the light guide, The light guide lens is provided with blades for cooling the LEDs, the light guide lens extends in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the motor, The blades are plate-like members provided on the outer periphery of the rod-shaped light guide lens at an angle with respect to the extension direction of the light guide lens.

2. 2. The vehicle lamp of claim 1, the light guide portion has a short cylindrical shape extending toward the LED, A vehicular lamp having a reflecting surface between the light guiding section and the light guiding lens, the reflecting surface reflecting the light from the light guiding section toward the light guiding lens.

3. 3. The vehicle lamp of claim 2, The reflecting surface is formed by a cutout in the light guide provided between the light guide portion and the motor.

4. A vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3. An opening for accommodating the LED is provided at the center of the light-transmitting lens.

5. A vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4. a substrate for supplying power to the LED is provided on the light-transmitting lens; A cover is provided on the substrate to cover the substrate.

6. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is a rear lamp.

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