Vehicle lighting

Abstract

To provide a vehicular light conversion panel capable of increasing variations in a design of a light emitting surface without strengthening / weakening excitation light, to provide a vehicular lighting fixture unit, and to provide a vehicular lighting fixture.SOLUTION: A vehicular light conversion panel includes: a substrate 41; and a light emitting layer 53 provided at the substrate 41, and for emitting secondary light L2 by converting excitation light L1 into the secondary light L2. The substrate 41 includes: a plurality of second light emitting parts 56 in which a light emitting layer 53 is finely provided; and a second non-light emitting part 57 which is formed between the plurality of second light emitting parts 56, and in which the light emitting layer 53 is not provided. The second light emitting parts 56 and the second non-light emitting part 57 have a dimension in which the plurality of second light emitting parts 56 adjacent to each other by sandwiching the second non-light emitting part 57 emits the secondary light L2 respectively and the plurality of second light emitting parts appears to be one light emitting surface S2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , , , , , ,

[0001] This invention relates to a light conversion panel for vehicles, a vehicle lighting unit, and a vehicle lamp.

Background Art

[0002] Examples of a vehicle light conversion panel, a vehicle lighting unit, and a vehicle lamp that utilize secondary light (luminescence) excited by excitation light include those disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] Hereinafter, the light source unit and the configuration of the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 will be described. The light source unit of the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 includes a light source part, a light generation part, and a lens member. Further, the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 includes a light source unit (light source part, light generation part, and lens member), a heat sink provided with the light source part and the light generation part, a reflector disposed between the light source part and the light generation part and having a reflecting surface, and a lamp housing and a lamp lens that house the light source unit, the heat sink, and the reflector.

[0004] Hereinafter, the operation of the light source unit and the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 will be described. The excitation light from the light source part is reflected by the reflecting surface of the reflector to the light generation part. In the light generation part, secondary light is emitted by the excitation light to form a light emitting surface. The secondary light enters the lens member and exits from the lens member, and is irradiated to the outside through the lamp lens as a pattern of the tail lamp.

[0005] The light emitting surface of the vehicle lamp has a design. In recent years, various designs have been desired for the light emitting surface of the vehicle lamp, and the variations in the design tend to increase.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] <​​​​ [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, the vehicle lighting unit and vehicle lighting described in Patent Document 1 uniformly irradiate the light-generating part with excitation light, so the apparent brightness of the light-emitting surface is the same across the entire surface, which limits the increase in variations in the design of the light-emitting surface.

[0008] Therefore, by dispersing the irradiation energy of the excitation light through optical design, it is conceivable that the intensity of the excitation light and the intensity of the secondary light can be varied, thereby creating differences in brightness on the light-emitting surface and increasing the variations in the design of the light-emitting surface. However, in this case, it is physically difficult to vary the intensity of the excitation light according to the design of the light-emitting surface.

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a vehicle light conversion panel, a vehicle lighting unit, and a vehicle lighting fixture that can increase the design variations of the light-emitting surface without varying the intensity of the excitation light. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The vehicle light conversion panel of this invention comprises a substrate and a light-emitting layer provided on the substrate that converts excitation light into secondary light and emits secondary light, wherein the substrate is characterized in that a plurality of light-emitting parts provided with the light-emitting layer and non-light-emitting parts formed between the plurality of light-emitting parts and not provided with the light-emitting layer are alternately formed.

[0011] In the vehicle light conversion panel of this invention, the plurality of light-emitting and non-light-emitting parts are preferably arranged in a line-and-space configuration, with the width of the line light-emitting part being 0.1 μm to 1000 μm and the width of the space non-light-emitting part being 0.1 μm to 1000 μm.

[0012] In the vehicle light conversion panel of this invention, it is preferable that the plurality of light-emitting parts are circular or polygonal dots of any shape, the diameter or side length of each light-emitting part is between 0.1 μm and 1000 μm, and the shortest distance between adjacent light-emitting parts is between 0.1 μm and 1000 μm.

[0013] The vehicle lighting unit of this invention is characterized by comprising an excitation light source that emits excitation light and a vehicle light conversion panel of this invention.

[0014] In the vehicle lighting unit of this invention, it is preferable that an excitation light control member is arranged between the excitation light source and the vehicle light conversion panel to uniformly irradiate the vehicle light conversion panel with excitation light.

[0015] In the vehicle lighting unit of this invention, it is preferable that the excitation light is blue light, the secondary light emitted from the vehicle light conversion panel is red light, and that a red lens is provided to emit the red light to the outside.

[0016] The vehicle lighting device of this invention is The invention is characterized by comprising an outer housing and outer lens that form a lighting space, and a vehicle lighting unit of this invention disposed within the lighting space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The vehicle light conversion panel, vehicle lighting unit, and vehicle lighting of this invention can increase the design variations of the light-emitting surface without varying the intensity of the excitation light. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view (vertical cross-sectional view) showing an embodiment of the vehicle light conversion panel, vehicle lighting unit, and vehicle lighting according to the present invention, when illuminated. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a front view showing the vehicle's light conversion panel when it is not illuminated. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a front view (viewed from arrow III in FIG. 1) showing the vehicle light conversion panel when lit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged front view showing the first light emitting portion and the second light emitting portion and the first non-light emitting portion and the second non-light emitting portion. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the usage state of the vehicle light conversion panel, the vehicle lamp unit, and the vehicle lamp. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged front view showing Modification Example 1 of the light emitting portion and the non-light emitting portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged front view showing Modification Example 2 of the light emitting portion and the non-light emitting portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged front view showing Modification Example 3 of the light emitting portion and the non-light emitting portion. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged front view showing Modification Example 4 of the light emitting portion and the non-light emitting portion. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged front view showing Modification Example 5 of the light emitting portion and the non-light emitting portion.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment (example) and a modification example of the vehicle light conversion panel, the vehicle lamp unit, and the vehicle lamp according to this invention will be described based on the drawings. Note that this invention is not limited by this embodiment and the modification example. Also, the constituent elements in the following embodiment and modification example include those that can be replaced by those skilled in the art and are easy to replace, or those that are substantially the same.

[0020] In this specification, front, rear, up, down, left, and right refer to the front, rear, up, down, left, and right directions when the vehicle light conversion panel, vehicle lighting unit, and vehicle lighting according to this invention are mounted on a vehicle. Furthermore, the front / rear, up / down, and left / right directions refer to the directions when the vehicle light conversion panel, vehicle lighting unit, and vehicle lighting are mounted on a vehicle, and indicate the directions when viewed from the driver's seat in the direction of vehicle travel. The up / down direction is parallel to the vertical direction, and the left / right direction is the horizontal direction. In the front and rear directions, the direction in which light is emitted from the vehicle light conversion panel, vehicle lighting unit, and vehicle lighting is defined as the front direction, and the direction opposite to the front direction is defined as the rear direction.

[0021] The drawings are schematic diagrams showing the vehicle light conversion panel, vehicle lighting unit, and vehicle lighting according to this invention. Therefore, only the main components of the vehicle light conversion panel, vehicle lighting unit, and vehicle lighting according to this invention are shown, and the illustration of components other than the main components is omitted. In addition, some of the hatching is omitted. Furthermore, Figures 2 and 3 are grayscale drawings representing photographic data of a mock-up of the vehicle light conversion panel according to this invention when illuminated.

[0022] (Description of the configuration of the embodiment) Figures 1 to 5 show embodiments of the vehicle light conversion panel, vehicle lighting unit, and vehicle lighting fixture according to the present invention. The configuration of the vehicle light conversion panel, vehicle lighting unit, and vehicle lighting fixture according to these embodiments will be described below.

[0023] (Description of vehicle lighting fixture 100) In Figure 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a vehicle light fixture according to this embodiment. In this example, the vehicle light fixture 100 is a rear combination lamp, and as shown in Figure 5, it is mounted on both the left and right sides of the rear of the vehicle (leading vehicle FV, following vehicle BV). Therefore, in this embodiment, the front direction is the rear direction (rear of the vehicle), and the rear direction is the front direction (front of the vehicle).

[0024] The vehicle lighting fixture 100 comprises an outer housing 101, an outer lens 102, a tail lamp unit 1 as a vehicle lighting fixture unit according to this embodiment, and other lamp units (not shown).

[0025] The outer housing 101 is made of a light-opaque material (such as a resin material). The outer lens 102 is made of a light-transmitting material (such as a resin material). In this example, the outer lens 102 is a colorless, transparent outer cover. The outer lens 102 may also be a red lens. The outer lens 102 has a curved shape that protrudes outward from the inside (towards the luminaire space 103).

[0026] The outer housing 101 and the outer lens 102 are fixed to each other, and a luminaire space 103 is formed inside the outer housing 101 and the outer lens 102. The outer lens 102 is positioned on the front side relative to the outer housing 101. The outer lens 102 is inclined from top to bottom, from the inside to the outside (front side) of the luminaire space 103. Furthermore, the outer lens 102 has a curved shape that protrudes from the inside to the outside (front side) of the luminaire space 103.

[0027] Within the lighting space 103, the tail lamp unit 1 and other lamp units are arranged. In this example, the other lamp units include stop lamps, tail stop lamps, turn signal lamps, backup lamps, and tail fog lamps, in addition to the tail lamp unit 1.

[0028] (Description of tail lamp unit 1) The tail lamp unit 1 (hereinafter referred to as "tail lamp unit 1") as a vehicle lighting unit according to this embodiment is a signal light, is located within the lighting space 103 of the vehicle lighting unit 100, and is attached to the outer housing 101 via mounting members such as mounting brackets.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, the taillight unit 1 comprises an inner housing (lamp housing) 2, an inner lens (lamp lens) 3, an excitation light irradiation unit 4, and a light conversion unit 5.

[0030] (Description of inner housing 2 and inner lens 3) The inner housing 2 is made of a light-opaque material (such as a resin material). The inner housing 2 is attached to the outer housing 101. In this example, the inner housing 2 has a glossy black surface. That is, the inner housing 2 is made of a black resin material with a mirror finish. The glossy black surface of the inner housing 2 only needs to be the surface facing the luminaire unit space 23. The surface of the inner housing 2 may also be a color other than glossy black.

[0031] In this example, the inner lens 3 is composed of a red lens and is made of a light-transmitting resin material such as PMMA or PC. Like the outer lens 102, the inner lens 3 is inclined from top to bottom, from the inside to the outside (towards the front) of the luminaire unit space 23. Also, like the outer lens 102, the inner lens 3 has a curved shape that protrudes from the inside to the outside (towards the front) of the luminaire space 103. The inner lens 3 and the outer lens 102 are close to each other and face each other parallel or nearly parallel.

[0032] The inner lens 3 and outer lens 102 cause the secondary light L2 emitted from the light conversion panel 50 of the light conversion unit 5 to be emitted to the outside (outside the luminaire space 103). Note that the inner lens 3 does not have to be a red lens if the outer lens 102 is a red lens. Alternatively, both the inner lens 3 and the outer lens 102 may be red lenses. At least one of the red lenses of the inner lens 3 or the outer lens 102 transmits the secondary light L2 of the red light and absorbs light other than the red light (secondary light L2). Therefore, the excitation light L1 component contained in the external light is absorbed by the red lens.

[0033] The inner housing 2 and the inner lens 3 are fixed to each other, and a luminaire unit space 23, which serves as a luminaire chamber, is formed inside the inner housing 2 and the inner lens 3. The inner lens 3 is positioned on the front side of the inner housing 2, that is, on the side of the outer lens 102.

[0034] The inner lens 3 has an optical axis Z and forms a predetermined light distribution pattern, in this example, the light distribution pattern of the taillight. Alternatively, the outer lens 102 may have an optical axis Z and form a predetermined light distribution pattern, in this example, the light distribution pattern of the taillight, or the inner lens 3 and the outer lens 102 may each have an optical axis Z and form a predetermined light distribution pattern, in this example, the light distribution pattern of the taillight.

[0035] (Description of the excitation light irradiation unit 4) The excitation light irradiation unit 4 is mounted on the upper wall (ceiling) of the inner housing 2. The excitation light irradiation unit 4 includes a casing 40, a substrate 41, an excitation light source 42, and a lens member 43 as an excitation light control member.

[0036] The casing 40 is made of a material that is opaque to light and has high thermal conductivity (such as a resin or metal material) and has a hollow box shape. The casing 40 also serves as a heat sink to dissipate the heat generated by the excitation light source 42. An opening 400 is provided at the bottom of the casing 40. The top of the casing 40 is attached to the upper wall of the inner housing 2.

[0037] In this example, the casing 40, like the inner housing 2, has a glossy black surface. That is, the casing 40 is a black resin material with a mirror-finished surface. The glossy black surface of the casing 40 only needs to be the surface facing the luminaire unit space 23. The surface of the casing 40 may also be a color other than glossy black.

[0038] The upper surface of the substrate 41 is fixed to the inner surface of the upper part of the casing 40. The upper surface of the excitation light source 42 is mounted on the lower surface of the substrate 41. In this way, the excitation light source 42 is attached to the upper part of the inner housing 2 via the substrate 41 and the casing 40.

[0039] In this example, the excitation light source 42 is a blue LED. The lower surface of the excitation light source 42 is the light emission surface. The excitation light source 42 emits excitation light L1 (see the dashed line in Figure 1) with a dominant wavelength in the range of approximately 350 nm to 500 nm in a Lambertsian (radial) pattern downwards from the light emission surface. Note that a light source other than a blue LED, such as an LD (semiconductor laser), may be used as the excitation light source 42. Also, in this example, the excitation light L1 is blue light with a dominant wavelength of approximately 450 nm.

[0040] When the excitation light source 42 is lit, the heat generated by the excitation light source 42 is transferred to the casing 40, which acts as a heat sink, via the substrate 41. The heat transferred to the casing 40 is then released to the outside from the casing 40, or transferred from the casing 40 to the inner housing 2 and released to the outside from the inner housing 2, and further transferred from the inner housing 2 to the outer housing 101 and released to the outside from the outer housing 101.

[0041] The outer edge of a lens member 43, which acts as an excitation light control member, is fixed to the inner edge of the opening 400 of the casing 40. The lens member 43 is positioned between the lower side of the excitation light source 42 and the upper side of the light conversion panel 50 of the light conversion unit 5. The lens member 43 faces the light emission surface on the lower side of the excitation light source 42 and the upper surface of the light conversion panel 50. The lens member 43 irradiates the light conversion panel 50 with excitation light L1 from the excitation light source 42 parallel and uniformly. As a result, the light conversion panel 50 is irradiated with uniform illumination through the lens member 43 by the excitation light source 42.

[0042] The lens member 43 has an incident surface on its upper side and an exit surface on its lower side. At least one of these incident or exit surfaces constitutes a control surface that controls the excitation light L1 from the excitation light source 42 to irradiate the light conversion panel 50 parallel and uniformly. That is, at least one of the incident or exit surface of the lens member 43 receives the excitation light L1 from the excitation light source 42 and emits parallel excitation light L1. The exit surface of the lens member 43 may also be provided with a minute uneven surface (prism surface) that diffuses the parallel emitted excitation light L1.

[0043] (Explanation of the light conversion unit 5) In this example, the light conversion unit 5 is located on the inner housing 2 side and in the middle of the lamp unit space 23, below the lens member 43 of the excitation light irradiation unit 4. The light conversion unit 5 has a light conversion panel 50 (hereinafter referred to as "light conversion panel 50") as a vehicle light conversion panel according to this embodiment, and an arrangement member 51 such as a stay. One end of the arrangement member 51 is fixed to the center of the back of the light conversion panel 50. The other end of the arrangement member 51 is attached to the inner housing 2. As a result, the light conversion panel 50 is attached to the inner housing 2 via the arrangement member 51 and is located in the lamp unit space 23 below the excitation light source 42. In addition, the light conversion panel 50, like the inner lens 3 and outer lens 102, is inclined from top to bottom, from the inside to the outside (towards the front) of the lamp unit space 23. Furthermore, the light conversion panel 50 faces the excitation light source 42 at an acute angle (approximately 45°) and faces the inner lens 3 almost parallel to it.

[0044] The light conversion panel 50 emits secondary light L2 (see solid arrow in Figure 1) in response to excitation light L1 irradiated from the excitation light irradiation unit 4. The light conversion panel 50 comprises at least a substrate (support substrate) 52, a light-emitting layer 53 as a light conversion layer, and a sealing member. The light-emitting layer 53 is formed on one surface of the substrate 52. It is preferable to cover and protect the light-emitting layer 53 with the sealing member, and the light-emitting layer 53 may be either an organic light-emitting material or an inorganic light-emitting material. That is, the material of the light-emitting layer 53 consists of at least one of an organic phosphor material, an organic phosphor material, or an inorganic phosphor material.

[0045] The light-emitting layer 53 is excited by the excitation light L1 and emits secondary light L2. As a result, the surface of the light-emitting layer 53 (the surface opposite to the surface provided on the substrate 52) emits surface light. The intensity of the secondary light L2 can be adjusted by the thickness of the light-emitting layer 53. Increasing the thickness of the light-emitting layer 53 makes the secondary light L2 stronger, while decreasing the thickness of the light-emitting layer 53 makes the secondary light L2 weaker.

[0046] In this example, the secondary light L2 is red light. The dominant wavelength of red light is approximately 650 nm, which is longer than approximately 500 nm. Thus, the dominant wavelength of secondary light L2 is longer than approximately 500 nm and longer than the dominant wavelength of excitation light L1, which is approximately 450 nm. In this example, secondary light L2 is red light for taillights. Red light is used not only for taillights but also for stop lamps and tail-stop lamps. Secondary light L2 may also be light of a color other than red, for example, yellow-orange light. When secondary light L2 is yellow-orange light, turn signal lamps are used as vehicle lighting fixtures.

[0047] (Description of the first light-emitting surface S1, the non-light-emitting surface D, and the second light-emitting surface S2) As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the substrate 52 has a first light-emitting section 54 and a plurality of second light-emitting sections 56, on which a light-emitting layer 53 is provided, and a first non-light-emitting section 55 and a second non-light-emitting section 57, on which the light-emitting layer 53 is not provided. The plurality of second light-emitting sections 56 are finer than the first light-emitting section 54. Also, the second non-light-emitting section 57 is finer than the first non-light-emitting section 55. The plurality of second light-emitting sections 56 are adjacent to each other with the second non-light-emitting section 57 in between. The first non-light-emitting section 55 and the second non-light-emitting section 57 are formed as follows. Specifically, a design mask layer is formed on the substrate 52 to create a first non-emitting portion 55 and a second non-emitting portion 57 of a predetermined design (line and space). The material for the light-emitting layer 53 is then formed on the portion of the substrate 52 where the design mask layer is absent. Finally, the design mask layer is removed from the substrate 52, and the material for the light-emitting layer 53 is sintered (hardened) to form the first non-emitting portion 55 and the second non-emitting portion 57 of a predetermined design (line and space).

[0048] The first light-emitting part 54 emits secondary light L2 and appears as a single light-emitting surface, in this example, the first light-emitting surface S1. The first light-emitting part 54 forms the first light-emitting surface S1. The first non-light-emitting part 55 appears as a non-light-emitting surface (dark surface) D. The first non-light-emitting part 55 forms the non-light-emitting surface D. Multiple second light-emitting parts 56 adjacent to each other, separated by the second non-light-emitting part 57, each emit secondary light L2 and appear as a single light-emitting surface, in this example, the second light-emitting surface S2. Multiple second light-emitting parts 56 and second non-light-emitting parts 57 form a single second light-emitting surface S2.

[0049] The first light-emitting surface S1 of the first light-emitting unit 54, the non-light-emitting surface D of the first non-light-emitting unit 55, and the second light-emitting surfaces S2 of the multiple second light-emitting units 56 and second non-light-emitting units 57 are all decorated with a curved design, as shown in Figure 3. Note that the design shown in Figure 3 is just one example; there are infinitely many other designs that incorporate light and shadow, brightness and darkness, and changes in brightness (gradation). Furthermore, in Figure 3, the white areas of the first light-emitting surface S1 and the second light-emitting surface S2 represent high-luminosity areas, the gray areas represent medium-luminosity areas, and the black areas represent low-luminosity areas. The luminosity changes from high-luminosity to medium-luminosity to low-luminosity as you move from the white areas through the gray areas to the black areas.

[0050] The design shown in Figure 3 is described below. From the right edge to the center, the first light-emitting surface S1, non-light-emitting surface D, second light-emitting surface S2, non-light-emitting surface D, first light-emitting surface S1, non-light-emitting surface D, second light-emitting surface S2, non-light-emitting surface D, and first light-emitting surface S1 are formed. In the center, three light-emitting surfaces (second light-emitting surface S2, first light-emitting surface S1, second light-emitting surface S2) sandwiched between two non-light-emitting surfaces D gradually narrow in width from right to left, transforming into a single light-emitting surface (first light-emitting surface S1). Here, the brightness of the second light-emitting surface S2 and second light-emitting surface S2 changes (gradient) so that it gradually becomes brighter from right to left. Also, the width of the two non-light-emitting surfaces D gradually narrows from right to left and becomes 0. From the center to the left edge, the first light-emitting surface S1, non-light-emitting surface D, first light-emitting surface S1, non-light-emitting surface D, and first light-emitting surface S1 are formed.

[0051] (Description of the second light-emitting section 56 and the second non-light-emitting section 57) In the examples shown in Figures 2 and 4, the second light-emitting section 56 and the second non-light-emitting section 57 are line-and-space. The width T1 of the second light-emitting section 56 is approximately 0.1 μm to approximately 1000 μm, and the width T2 of the second non-light-emitting section 57 is approximately 0.1 μm to approximately 1000 μm.

[0052] The second light-emitting section 56 emits secondary light L2 and appears as a single second light-emitting surface S2. The second light-emitting section 56 and the second non-light-emitting section 57 form the second light-emitting surface S2. The second light-emitting sections 56 adjacent to each other, separated by the second non-light-emitting section 57, emit secondary light L2 and appear as a single second light-emitting surface S2. The second light-emitting section 56 and the second non-light-emitting section 57 form the second light-emitting surface S2.

[0053] Here, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the width of the second non-emitting portion 57 gradually narrows from right to left in the center until it becomes 0. As a result, the width of the second light-emitting surface S2, which consists of the second light-emitting portion 56, gradually narrows from right to left. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the brightness of the second light-emitting surface S2 gradually increases from right to left.

[0054] Furthermore, the width T3 (see Figure 4) of the first non-emitting portion 55 between the first light-emitting portion 54 of the first light-emitting surface S1 and the second light-emitting portion 56 of the second light-emitting surface S2 is greater than approximately 0.5 mm. As a result, the first non-emitting portion 55 between the first light-emitting surface S1 and the second light-emitting surface S2 forms a non-emitting surface D of the substrate 52.

[0055] The widths T1 and T2 of the line-and-space second light-emitting section 56 and the second non-light-emitting section 57, which appear as a single light-emitting surface, i.e., the second light-emitting surface S2, and the width T3 of the space between the first light-emitting section 54 (light-emitting layer 53) of the first light-emitting surface S1 and the second light-emitting section 56 (light-emitting layer 53) of the second light-emitting surface S2, which appear as a non-light-emitting surface D of the substrate 52, vary depending on conditions such as the distance T from the vehicle light fixture 100 of the preceding vehicle FV to the viewpoint P of a person (not shown) in the following vehicle BV, the brightness of the second light-emitting section 56 and the first light-emitting section 54, the brightness of the surrounding environment, and the age of the person in the following vehicle BV, as shown in Figure 5.

[0056] (Description of the operation of the embodiment) The light conversion panel 50, tail lamp unit 1, and vehicle lighting device 100 according to this embodiment have the configuration described above, and their operation will be explained below.

[0057] When the excitation light source 42 is turned off, no light is emitted from the outer lens 102 of the vehicle light fixture 100, and the light design on the outer lens 102 of the vehicle light fixture 100 cannot be seen.

[0058] When the excitation light source 42 is turned on, excitation light L1 is emitted from the light emission surface of the excitation light source 42, as shown in Figure 1. This excitation light L1 enters the lens member 43 from the incident surface of the lens member 43 and is emitted from the exit surface of the lens member 43 as parallel light under controlled conditions. The excitation light L1 controlled as parallel light is uniformly (with uniform illuminance) irradiated onto the light conversion panel 50 of the light conversion unit 5.

[0059] When excitation light L1 is irradiated parallel and uniformly onto the light conversion panel 50, the light-emitting layer 53 of the light conversion panel 50 converts the excitation light L1 into secondary light L2 and emits this secondary light L2. As shown in Figure 1, the secondary light L2 emitted from the light-emitting layer 53 passes through the inner lens 3 and outer lens 102 and is emitted to the outside in a predetermined light distribution pattern along the optical axis Z of the inner lens 3 and outer lens 102, in this example as the light distribution pattern of a taillight.

[0060] At this time, when viewing the vehicle light fixture 100 from the rear, the first light-emitting surface S1, the second light-emitting surface S2, and the non-light-emitting surface D of the light design shown in Figure 3 can be seen. The secondary light emitted from the light-emitting layer 53 of the first light-emitting section 54 appears brightest as the first light-emitting surface S1. The secondary light L2 emitted from the light-emitting layer 53 of the second light-emitting section 56 appears brightest as the second light-emitting surface S2, following the first light-emitting surface S1. Furthermore, the non-light-emitting surface D of the substrate 52 appears dark between the first light-emitting surface S1 and the second light-emitting surface S2, and between the first light-emitting surface S1 and the first light-emitting surface S1.

[0061] As described above, the second light-emitting surface S2 gradually becomes brighter as you move from right to left. Also, as described above, the non-emitting surfaces D between the first light-emitting surface S1 and the second light-emitting surface S2, and the non-emitting surfaces D between the first light-emitting surface S1 and the second light-emitting surface S2, gradually narrow as you move from right to left until they become zero. As a result, as described above, the first light-emitting surface S1, the second light-emitting surface S2, and the non-emitting surfaces D become a single first light-emitting surface S1 as you move from right to left.

[0062] (Description of the effects of the embodiment) The light conversion panel 50, tail lamp unit 1, and vehicle lighting device 100 according to this embodiment have the configuration and operation described above, and their effects will be explained below.

[0063] The light conversion panel 50 according to this embodiment comprises a substrate 52 and a light-emitting layer 53 provided on the substrate 52. The substrate 52 has a plurality of second light-emitting parts 56 on which the light-emitting layer 53 is finely provided, and a second non-light-emitting part 57 on which the light-emitting layer 53 is not provided. Multiple second light-emitting parts 56 adjacent to each other, separated by the second non-light-emitting part 57, each emit secondary light L2 and appear as a single light-emitting surface, in this example, the second light-emitting surface S2. The light conversion panel 50 can adjust the amount of luminous flux of secondary light L2 per unit area by adjusting the density of the second light-emitting parts 56 per unit area on the second light-emitting surface S2, thereby adjusting the brightness. As a result, the light conversion panel 50 according to this embodiment can increase the design variations of the second light-emitting surface S2 without varying the intensity of the excitation light L1 irradiated onto the light-emitting layer 53.

[0064] The light conversion panel 50 according to this embodiment has a plurality of second light-emitting sections 56 and second non-light-emitting sections 57 arranged in line and space, with the width T1 of the second light-emitting section 56 ranging from approximately 0.1 μm to approximately 1000 μm, and the width T2 of the second non-light-emitting section 57 ranging from approximately 0.1 μm to approximately 1000 μm. As a result, the light conversion panel 50 according to this embodiment can increase the design variations of the second light-emitting surface S2 without varying the intensity of the excitation light L1 irradiated onto the light-emitting layer 53 by adjusting at least one of the width T1 of the second light-emitting section 56 or the width T2 of the second non-light-emitting section 57.

[0065] Since the tail lamp unit 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with the light conversion panel 50 according to this embodiment, it can achieve the same effects as the light conversion panel 50 according to this embodiment.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tail lamp unit 1 has a lens member 43 positioned between the excitation light source 42 and the vehicle light conversion panel 50 as an excitation light control member that irradiates the vehicle light conversion panel 50 with excitation light L1 in a parallel and uniform manner. As a result, in this embodiment, the tail lamp unit 1 can irradiate the plurality of second light-emitting parts 56 and second non-light-emitting parts 57 with excitation light L1 in a parallel and uniform manner (with uniform illuminance), so by adjusting at least one of the width T1 of the second light-emitting part 56 or the width T2 of the second non-light-emitting part 57, the variations in the design of the second light-emitting surface S2 can be increased without varying the intensity of the excitation light L1.

[0067] In this embodiment, the tail lamp unit 1 has a blue excitation light L1, a red secondary light L2, and a red inner lens 3. The red inner lens 3 blocks the excitation light L1 from emitting out from the lamp unit space 23, so that the predetermined light distribution pattern of the tail lamp due to the secondary light L2 can satisfy vehicle usage regulations. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the red inner lens 3 blocks the excitation light L1 from entering the lamp unit space 23 from the outside, so that when the excitation light source 42 is turned off, the first light-emitting surface S1 and the second light-emitting surface S2 of the light conversion panel 50 do not emit light incorrectly due to the external excitation light L1.

[0068] Furthermore, since the vehicle lighting device 100 according to this embodiment includes the tail lamp unit 1 (light conversion panel 50 according to this embodiment) according to this embodiment, it can achieve the same effects as the tail lamp unit 1 (light conversion panel 50 according to this embodiment).

[0069] (Modified example 1 of the second light-emitting section 56A and the second non-light-emitting section 57A) Hereinafter, a modified example 1 of the second light-emitting section 56A and the second non-light-emitting section 57A will be described with reference to Figure 6. In Figure 6, the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 5 indicate the same components.

[0070] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the second light-emitting section 56 and the second non-light-emitting section 57 of the above embodiment 1 gradually change the brightness on the second light-emitting surface S2 by keeping the width T1 of the second light-emitting section 56 constant and gradually narrowing the width T2 of the second non-light-emitting section 57 until it is 0.

[0071] In contrast, in this modified example 1, the second light-emitting section 56A and the second non-light-emitting section 57A gradually increase the width of the second light-emitting section 56 from left to right until it becomes the first light-emitting section 54, and gradually narrow the width of the second non-light-emitting section 57 from left to right until it becomes 0, thereby gradually changing the brightness on the second light-emitting surface S2.

[0072] Since the second light-emitting section 56A and the second non-light-emitting section 57A of this modified example 1 have the above-described configuration, they can achieve the same functions and effects as the second light-emitting section 56 and the second non-light-emitting section 57 of the above-described embodiment 1.

[0073] (Modified example 2 of the second light-emitting section 56B and the second non-light-emitting section 57B) Hereinafter, a second modification of the second light-emitting section 56B and the second non-light-emitting section 57B will be described with reference to Figure 7. In Figure 7, the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 6 indicate the same components.

[0074] In the above embodiment and modified example 1, the second light-emitting sections 56, 56A and the second non-light-emitting sections 57, 57A are line and space, as shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5. In contrast, the second light-emitting section 56B in this modified example 2 is a plurality (many) of circular dots, and the second non-light-emitting section 57B in this modified example 2 is formed between the plurality of second light-emitting sections 56B.

[0075] The diameter T4 of the second light-emitting section 56B ranges from approximately 0.1 μm to approximately 1000 μm. The shortest distance T5 between adjacent second light-emitting sections 56B ranges from approximately 0.1 μm to approximately 1000 μm. The diameter T4 of the second light-emitting section 56B is constant, and the shortest distance T5 between adjacent second light-emitting sections 56B gradually decreases from the top to the bottom, eventually becoming 0, thereby gradually changing the brightness on the second light-emitting surface S2.

[0076] (Modified example 3 of the second light-emitting section 56C and the second non-light-emitting section 57C) Hereinafter, a third modification of the second light-emitting section 56C and the second non-light-emitting section 57C will be described with reference to Figure 8. In Figure 8, the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 7 indicate the same components.

[0077] In the modified example 2 described above, the second light-emitting section 56B and the second non-light-emitting section 57B, as shown in Figure 7, gradually decrease the shortest distance T5 between adjacent second light-emitting sections 56B as you move from top to bottom, and eventually become 0. In contrast, in the modified example 3, the second light-emitting section 56C and the second non-light-emitting section 57C, as shown in Figure 8, gradually decrease the shortest distance T5 between adjacent second light-emitting sections 56B as you move from left to right, and eventually become 0, thereby gradually changing the brightness on the second light-emitting surface S2.

[0078] (Modified example 4 of the second light-emitting section 56D and the second non-light-emitting section 57D) Hereinafter, a fourth modified example of the second light-emitting section 56D and the second non-light-emitting section 57D will be described with reference to Figure 9. In Figure 9, the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 8 indicate the same components.

[0079] In the modified examples 2 and 3 described above, the second light-emitting sections 56B, 56C and the second non-light-emitting sections 57B, 57C are configured to have a constant diameter T4 for the second light-emitting sections 56B, 56C, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, while changing the shortest distance T5 between adjacent second light-emitting sections 56B, 56C. In contrast, in the modified example 4, the second light-emitting section 56D and the second non-light-emitting section 57D are configured to have a gradually increasing diameter T4 for the second light-emitting section 56D from top to bottom, and a gradually decreasing shortest distance T5 between adjacent second light-emitting sections 56D from top to bottom until it is 0, thereby gradually changing the brightness on the second light-emitting surface S2.

[0080] (Modified example 5 of the second light-emitting section 56E and the second non-light-emitting section 57E) Hereinafter, five modified examples of the second light-emitting section 56E and the second non-light-emitting section 57E will be described with reference to Figure 10. In Figure 10, the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 9 indicate the same components.

[0081] In the modified example 4 described above, the second light-emitting section 56D and the second non-light-emitting section 57D are configured such that, as shown in Figure 9, the diameter T4 of the second light-emitting section 56D is gradually increased from the top to the bottom, and the shortest distance T5 between adjacent second light-emitting sections 56D is gradually decreased from the top to the bottom until it is 0. In contrast, in the modified example 5, the second light-emitting section 56E and the second non-light-emitting section 57E are configured such that, as shown in Figure 10, the diameter T4 of the second light-emitting section 56E is gradually increased from the left to the right, and the shortest distance T5 between adjacent second light-emitting sections 56E is gradually decreased from the left to the right until it is 0, thereby gradually changing the brightness on the second light-emitting surface S2.

[0082] (Operation and effect of the second light-emitting section 56B-E and the second non-light-emitting section 57B-E in modified example 2-5) Since the second light-emitting section 56B-E and the second non-light-emitting section 57B-E of this modified example 2-5 have the above-described configuration, they can achieve the same functions and effects as the second light-emitting section 56 and the second non-light-emitting section 57 of the above-described embodiment 1.

[0083] (Description of examples other than embodiments and modifications) In the above embodiments and modifications, examples are described in which the vehicle lighting unit 1 and vehicle lighting fixture 100 are tail lamps constituting a rear combination lamp. However, in this invention, the vehicle lighting unit 1 and vehicle lighting fixture 100 may be stop lamps, tail-stop lamps, or turn signal lamps other than tail lamps. In the case of stop lamps and tail-stop lamps, the secondary light L2 is red light, and in the case of turn signal lamps, the secondary light L2 is yellow-orange light.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, a lens member 43 is used as the excitation light control member. However, in this invention, a lens member other than the lens member 43 may be used as the excitation light control member, for example, a reflector, or a combination of a reflector and a lens member. Alternatively, a light guide member (light guide plate, light guide rod) having an incident surface, an exit surface, and a total reflection surface may be used. In short, any member that controls the excitation light L1 from the excitation light source 42 and irradiates the light conversion panel 50 uniformly and parallel to it is acceptable.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and modified example, a first light-emitting portion 54 is provided to form the first light-emitting surface S1. However, in this invention, the first light-emitting portion 54 may not be provided, and the first light-emitting surface S1 may not be formed.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and modification, a first non-emitting portion 55 is provided to form a non-emitting surface D. However, in this invention, the first non-emitting portion 55 may not be provided to form a non-emitting surface D.

[0087] Furthermore, this invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 100 Vehicle lighting fixtures 101 Outer Housing 102 Outer Lens 103 Light space 1. Tail lamp unit (vehicle lighting unit) 2. Inner housing (lamp housing) 3. Inner lens (lamp lens) 23. Lighting unit space (lighting room) 4. Excitation light irradiation unit 40 Casing 400 opening 41 circuit boards 42 Excitation light source 43. Lens component (excitation light control component) 5. Light Conversion Unit 50 Light Conversion Panels (Vehicle Light Conversion Panels) 51 Arrangement Members 52 circuit boards 53. Emitting layer 54 First light-emitting section 55 First non-emitting section 56 Second light-emitting section 57 Second non-emitting section BV Following vehicle D Non-illuminating surface FV Leading Vehicle L1 Excitation light L2 secondary light P's perspective S1 First light-emitting surface S2 Second light-emitting surface Width dimension of the second light-emitting section 56 of the T1 line Width dimension of the second non-emitting section 57 of the T2 space T3 Non-illuminating surface D width dimension T4 Diameter of the second light-emitting section 56B, 56C, 56D, 56E T5 The shortest distance between adjacent second light-emitting sections 56B, 56C, 56D, and 56E Z optical axis

Claims

1. It comprises an outer housing and outer lens that form a lighting space, and a vehicle lighting unit disposed within the lighting space, The vehicle lighting unit comprises an excitation light source that emits excitation light and a vehicle light conversion panel, The aforementioned vehicle light conversion panel comprises a substrate and a light-emitting layer provided on the substrate that converts the excitation light into secondary light and emits the secondary light, The substrate has a plurality of light-emitting sections, each provided with the light-emitting layer, and a plurality of non-light-emitting sections, formed between the plurality of light-emitting sections and lacking the light-emitting layer, formed alternately. The light-emitting portion and the non-light-emitting portion are formed such that when the light-emitting portion emits light, they appear as a single light-emitting surface. A vehicle light fixture characterized by the above (except in cases where the vehicle light fixture further includes an optical filter that transmits the excitation light and absorbs the secondary light).

2. The multiple light-emitting units and non-light-emitting units are arranged in line and space. The width of the light-emitting portion is 0.1 μm to 1000 μm. The width of the non-emitting portion is 0.1 μm to 1000 μm. The vehicle lighting device according to feature 1.

3. The multiple light-emitting parts are dots of any shape, such as circular or polygonal. The diameter or side length of the light-emitting portion is between 0.1 μm and 1000 μm. The shortest distance between adjacent light-emitting parts is between 0.1 μm and 1000 μm. The vehicle lighting device according to feature 1.

4. Between the excitation light source and the vehicle light conversion panel, the excitation light is transmitted to the vehicle light conversion panel. An excitation light control component that uniformly irradiates the flannel is positioned. The vehicle lighting device according to feature 1.

5. The excitation light is blue light, The secondary light emitted from the aforementioned vehicle light conversion panel is red light. The vehicle lighting unit includes a red lens that emits the red light to the outside. The vehicle lighting device according to feature 1.

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