Vehicle lighting
The vehicle lamp design addresses color discrepancies in dual-purpose reflectors by reflecting surrounding materials onto the second reflector's surface, achieving a harmonious appearance and efficient air circulation without separate functional holes.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- DAIHATSU MOTOR CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-25
Smart Images
Figure 0007880198000001 
Figure 0007880198000002 
Figure 0007880198000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle lamp that constitutes a front lamp or a tail lamp of a vehicle. This vehicle lamp includes a substrate on which a light source is mounted and a reflector that reflects light from the light source. A convex curved wall portion is provided at an intermediate position in the vertical height direction or the lateral width direction of the main wall portion that constitutes the reflector, and the main wall portion is divided into two regions with the convex curved wall portion interposed therebetween. A concave portion is formed on the back surface of the main wall portion by the convex curved wall portion. The substrate is disposed in this concave portion. The convex curved wall portion is provided with a plurality of through holes that transmit light emitted from the light source toward the reflecting surface of the reflector.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] In vehicle lighting fixtures, reflectors are sometimes placed for aesthetic purposes even if they do not reflect light from the light source. Hereinafter, the reflector that reflects light from the light source will be called the first reflector, and the reflector for aesthetic purposes will be called the second reflector. The first reflector has holes that allow light from the light source to pass towards the reflective surface, as in the technology described in Patent Document 1. When the first reflector is viewed from the outside, the substrate is reflected on the reflective surface through these holes, making the first reflector appear dark. On the other hand, the second reflector does not need to reflect light from the light source, so it does not require holes like the first reflector. When the second reflector is viewed from the outside, the reflective surface of the second reflector itself is seen, making the second reflector appear whitish. Therefore, in vehicle lighting fixtures equipped with both a first reflector and a second reflector, the colors of the first and second reflectors will differ, which may result in an unattractive appearance.
[0005] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lighting fixture that is aesthetically pleasing and includes a first reflector that reflects light from a light source and a second reflector for aesthetic purposes. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] A vehicle lamp according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a light source, a first reflector having a first reflective surface that reflects light from the light source outward, a second reflector having a second reflective surface facing outward, a rear housing supporting the first reflector and the second reflector, and a front housing which is a translucent cover that covers the front portion of the rear housing to accommodate the light source, the first reflector and the second reflector. The first reflector has a first hole that penetrates the front and back surfaces of the first reflector and allows light from the light source to pass toward the first reflective surface. The second reflector has a second hole that penetrates the front and back surfaces of the second reflector and reflects a peripheral member facing the back surface of the second reflector toward the second reflective surface. The second reflective surface does not reflect light from the light source. The vehicle lamp does not have a light source that emits light toward the second reflective surface by passing it through the second hole. The second hole is provided to form an air passage from the rear housing to the front housing by passing it through the second hole. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] In the vehicle lighting fixture of the present invention, a hole is provided in the second reflector for aesthetic purposes. By reflecting the surrounding material through this hole onto the reflective surface of the second reflector, the colors of the first and second reflectors can be matched. Because the colors of the first and second reflectors match in the vehicle lighting fixture of the present invention, it has a good appearance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the external appearance of a vehicle lighting device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the first reflector and the second reflector provided in the vehicle lighting device of the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] Specific examples of the vehicle lighting equipment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings indicate the same parts. In each drawing, some parts of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified for the sake of explanation. The dimensional ratios of each part in the drawings may also differ from those of the actual parts. In the drawings, arrow FR indicates the front side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, arrow RR indicates the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, arrow RH indicates the right side in the lateral direction of the vehicle, arrow LH indicates the left side in the lateral direction of the vehicle, arrow UP indicates the upper side in the height direction of the vehicle, and arrow LWR indicates the lower side in the height direction of the vehicle.
[0010] Vehicle lights are installed on both the left and right sides of the front and rear of the vehicle, but in this example, vehicle light 1 will be described using the right-side headlight as an example. At the front of the vehicle, the vehicle light installed on the left side is symmetrical to the vehicle light 1 installed on the right side.
[0011] <Overall Structure> The vehicle light fixture 1 of this embodiment comprises a first region 11 and a second region 12, as shown in Figure 1. The first region 11 illuminates outward by the light source 2 shown in Figure 3. Outward is the direction facing the outside of the vehicle. In this example, outward is the front of the vehicle. The second region 12 is positioned for aesthetic purposes and does not illuminate outward. The aesthetic second region 12 is a dummy region provided mainly to maintain design consistency with the first region 11. This second region 12 has a second reflector 5 and has an appearance similar to the first region 11, but it does not have a light source and does not have the function of illuminating outward from the vehicle. The vehicle light fixture 1 comprises the light source 2 and first reflector 4 shown in Figure 3 and the second reflector 5 shown in Figure 4. The first reflector 4 constitutes the first region 11. The second reflector 5 constitutes the second region 12. In this example, the first reflector 4 and the second reflector 5 are adjacent to each other side by side, as shown in Figure 2.
[0012] As shown in Figure 1, an extender 6 is positioned on the outer edge of the vehicle light fixture 1. The extender 6 is a component that primarily determines the external design of the vehicle light fixture 1, and is a frame-shaped component that surrounds the first reflector 4 and the second reflector 5 collectively. The extender 6 has an upper part, a lower part, and left and right sides, and is open at the front. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the extender 6 is positioned to cover the peripheral edges of the first reflector 4 and the second reflector 5. As shown in Figure 4, the extender 6 has an upper part 65 that faces the back surface of the second reflector 5. The back surface of the second reflector 5 is the surface of the second reflector 5 that is not visible from outside the vehicle. The front surface of the second reflector 5 is the surface of the second reflector 5 that is visible from outside the vehicle. Similarly, in the first reflector 4, the back surface is the surface of the first reflector 4 that is not visible from outside the vehicle, and the front surface is the surface of the first reflector 4 that is visible from outside the vehicle.
[0013] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the vehicle lighting unit 1 comprises a rear housing 81 and a front housing 82. The rear housing 81 supports the first reflector 4 and the second reflector 5 from the back surface. The front housing 82 is a translucent cover that covers the front surface of the rear housing 81.
[0014] <Light source> As shown in Figure 3, the light source 2 is positioned on the back side of the first reflector 4. The light source 2 is positioned to face the first reflective surface 40 of the first reflector 4 through a first hole 45 provided in the first reflector 4. The light source 2 is, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED). The light source 2 is mounted on a substrate 3. The substrate 3 is fixed to the rear of the first reflector 4 with screws 31.
[0015] <First Reflector> As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first reflector 4 comprises a first reflective surface 40 and a first hole 45. The first reflector 4 is composed of an arc-shaped recess. The recess has an upper part, a lower part, left and right side parts, and a rear part, and is open at the front. In this example, the front opening is rectangular. The front opening may be circular or elliptical. The inner surface of the recess is the surface of the first reflector 4. The surface of the first reflector 4 is the first reflective surface 40. In this example, the inner surface of the lower part and the inner surface of the rear part of the recess are composed of a curved surface that is connected in a continuous line. This curved surface constitutes the first reflective surface 40. The recess is recessed downwards and towards the rear. The first reflective surface 40 reflects light from the light source 2 outwards. In this example, the first reflective surface 40 reflects light from the light source 2, which is positioned above the first reflective surface 40, outwards. The shape of the first reflective surface 40 can be appropriately selected to reflect light from the light source 2 outwards, corresponding to the position of the light source 2. For example, the first reflective surface 40 can also reflect light from a light source 2 positioned below the first reflective surface 40 outwards. In this case, the first reflective surface 40 may be composed of a curved surface in which the upper inner surface and the rear inner surface are connected in a continuous line. With such a curved surface, the recess is recessed upward and backward. The first reflective surface 40 is composed of a metal film capable of reflecting light with high reflectivity. The metal film is, for example, an aluminum vapor-deposited film.
[0016] The first hole 45 is a hole that penetrates the front and back surfaces of the first reflector 4. The first hole 45 allows light from the light source 2 to pass towards the first reflective surface 40. In Figure 3, an example of the path of light from the light source 2 is shown by a dashed line. In this example, the first hole 45 is located at the rear of the upper part of the first reflector 4. The position of the first hole 45 can be appropriately selected in accordance with the position of the light source 2. For example, the first hole 45 may be located at the bottom of the first reflector 4, allowing light from the light source 2 to pass from below to above towards the first reflective surface 40. The first hole 45 may be located on the side of the first reflector 4, allowing light from the light source 2 to pass from left to right, or from right to left, towards the first reflective surface 40. The light from the light source 2 that has passed through the first hole 45 is reflected forward by the first reflective surface 40.
[0017] The size and shape of the first hole 45 can be appropriately selected within a range that allows light from the light source 2 to pass through. In this example, the shape of the first hole 45 is rectangular. The shape of the first hole 45 may be circular or trapezoidal.
[0018] The substrate 3 is also reflected onto the first reflecting surface 40 through the first hole 45. In FIG. 3, the reflection of the substrate 3 onto the first reflecting surface 40 through the first hole 45 is schematically shown by a broken line. When the substrate 3 is reflected onto the first reflecting surface 40, the first region 11 shown in FIG. 1 appears in a color corresponding to the substrate 3 when viewed from the outside. Viewing the first region 11 from the outside means viewing from the outside to the inside of the vehicle, which in this example is when viewed from the front, i.e., when viewing from the left side to the right side of the broken line extending in the left-right direction shown in FIG. 3.
[0019] The first hole 45 also has a function of causing convection of the air inside the vehicle lamp 1. When the first hole 45 has the function of convection, a flow path for air from the rear housing 81 to the front housing 82 is secured, and the air inside the vehicle lamp 1 is easily convected. By causing convection of the air inside the vehicle lamp 1, for example, it is possible to suppress the front housing 82 and the first reflecting surface 40 from becoming cloudy.
[0020] The first reflector 4 is supported by the rear housing 81 via the back plate 7. A motor (not shown) is attached to the back plate 7, for example. The first reflector 4 can be tilted in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction by the motor.
[0021] <Second Reflector> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the second reflector 5 includes a second reflecting surface 50 and a second hole 55. The second reflector 5 is formed of an arcuate concave portion. The concave portion includes an upper portion, a lower portion, left and right side portions, and a rear portion, and is open at the front. In this example, the shape of the front opening is rectangular. The shape of the front opening may be circular or elliptical. The inner surface of the concave portion is the surface of the second reflector 5. The surface of the second reflector 5 is the second reflecting surface 50. In this example, among the inner surfaces of the concave portion, the inner surface of the lower portion and the inner surface of the rear portion are formed of a continuous curved surface. This curved surface constitutes the second reflecting surface 50. The concave portion is recessed downward and rearward. The second reflecting surface 50 may be formed of a continuous curved surface where the inner surface of the upper portion and the inner surface of the rear portion are connected. With such a curved surface, the concave portion is recessed upward and rearward. A side portion is disposed between the first reflector 4 and the second reflector 5 to form a partition wall. By this partition wall, the light from the light source 2 is incident only into the concave portion of the first reflector 4 and not into the concave portion of the second reflector 5. The second reflecting surface 50 is formed of the same metal film as the first reflecting surface 40. The second reflecting surface 50 is not irradiated with the light from the light source. The second reflecting surface 50 does not reflect the light from the light source outward. The second reflector 5 is disposed for design purposes. The second reflector 5 in this example is smaller than the first reflector 4.
[0022] The second hole 55 is a hole that penetrates the front and back surfaces of the second reflector 5. The second hole 55 reflects the peripheral member facing the back surface of the second reflector 5 onto the second reflecting surface 50. The peripheral member is a component of the vehicle lamp 1 and is a member disposed on the back surface of the second reflector 5. The peripheral member is, for example, the upper portion 65 of the extension 6. In FIG. 4, the reflection of the peripheral member, in this example, the upper portion 65 of the extension 6, onto the second reflecting surface 50 through the second hole 55 is schematically shown by a dashed line. When the upper portion 65 is reflected onto the second reflecting surface 50 through the second hole 55, the second region 12 appears in a color corresponding to the extension 6 when viewed from the outside. Viewing the second region 12 from the outside means viewing from the outside to the inside of the vehicle, which in this example is viewing from the front, and viewing from the left side to the right side of the dashed line extending in the left - right direction shown in FIG. 4.
[0023] The size and shape of the second hole 55 can be appropriately selected within a range that allows the surrounding member to be reflected on the second reflective surface 50. In this example, the shape of the second hole 55 is trapezoidal. The shape of the second hole 55 may also be circular or rectangular. The second hole 55 may also be a slit-shaped hole.
[0024] The position of the second hole 55 can be appropriately selected within a range that allows the surrounding member to be reflected on the second reflective surface 50. In this example, the second hole 55 is located above the second reflective surface 50. The second hole 55 may also be located below the second reflective surface 50, or to the left or right of the second reflective surface 50. There may be one or more second holes 55. If multiple second holes 55 are provided, they may be located close together or far apart.
[0025] The second hole 55 has the function of circulating the air inside the vehicle light fixture 1. The rear housing 81 is provided with a hole 810 that connects the inside and outside. The second hole 55 is provided, for example, near the hole 810. When the second hole 55 is provided, an air passage is secured from the rear housing 81 to the front housing 82, and the air inside the vehicle light fixture 1 is easily circulated. By circulating the air inside the vehicle light fixture 1, it is possible to suppress fogging of the front housing 82 and the second reflective surface 50, for example. A cylindrical projection is provided on the outer circumference of the hole 810 in the rear housing 81. A cap 9, which usually has a labyrinth structure, is attached to this projection. This cap 9 prevents water from entering the vehicle light fixture 1 while allowing air to circulate inside and outside the vehicle light fixture 1.
[0026] The second reflector 5 is supported by the rear housing 81 via a back plate 7. The second reflector 5 can be tilted vertically or horizontally by a motor. In this example, the first reflector 4 and the second reflector 5 are integrated, and they move in conjunction with each other.
[0027] <Effects and Effects> In the vehicle light fixture 1 of this embodiment, the substrate 3 is reflected on the first reflective surface 40 through the first hole 45, and the upper part 65 of the extend 6 is reflected on the second reflective surface 50 through the second hole 55. The substrate 3 reflected on the first reflective surface 40 through the first hole 45 appears dark. Therefore, when viewing the first region 11 shown in Figure 1 from the outside, the first region 11 composed of the first reflector 4 appears dark due to the substrate 3 reflected on the first reflective surface 40. The upper part 65 reflected on the second reflective surface 50 through the second hole 55 also appears dark. When viewing the second region 12 shown in Figure 1 from the outside, the second region 12 composed of the second reflector 5 also appears dark due to the upper part 65 reflected on the second reflective surface 50. The substrate 3 and the upper part 65 appear dark because they are located on the back surfaces of the respective reflectors 4 and 5, which are dark areas. If the extend 6 has a dark color, the upper part 65 reflected on the second reflective surface 50 will appear even darker. As a result, the colors of the first reflector 4 and the second reflector 5 match. When the colors match, the overall appearance of the vehicle light fixture 1 is improved.
[0028] In the vehicle light fixture 1 of this embodiment, the air inside the vehicle light fixture 1 is effectively circulated through the second hole 55.
[0029] In the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the second hole 55 combines two functions: a color-tuning function and a convection function. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, compared to the case in which a hole with a color-tuning function and a hole with a convection function are provided separately, an increase in cost, a significant increase in weight, and a decrease in productivity are suppressed.
[0030] The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims as shown, and equivalents thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible:
[0031] (1) The number of reflectors can be selected as appropriate. The vehicle lighting fixture 1 may be equipped with multiple first reflectors 4 or multiple second reflectors 5. When multiple first reflectors 4 are provided, multiple light sources 2 are provided corresponding to the multiple first reflectors 4. In other words, one light source 2 is associated with one first reflector 4. The multiple first reflectors 4 may be arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the vehicle or in a vertical line in the height direction of the vehicle.
[0032] (2) The position of the second reflector 5 can be selected as appropriate. When the first reflector 4 and the second reflector 5 are arranged side by side as shown in Figure 2, the second reflector 5 may be located on the inside or outside of the vehicle in the left-right direction. When the first reflector 4 and the second reflector 5 are arranged vertically, the second reflector 5 may be located on the upper side or the lower side of the vehicle in the height direction.
[0033] (3) The peripheral members reflected on the second reflective surface 50 of the second reflector 5 may be members other than the extend 6. The peripheral members may be, for example, part of the rear housing 81. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0034] 1. Vehicle lighting fixtures 11 First area, 12 Second area 2 light source 3 circuit boards, 31 screws 4. First reflector 40 First reflective surface, 45 First hole 5. Second reflector 50 Second reflective surface, 55 Second hole 6 Extend, 65 Top 7 Backplate 81 Rear housing, 810 holes 82 Front Housing 9 caps
Claims
[Claim 1] Light source and A first reflector having a first reflective surface that reflects light from the light source outward, A second reflector having the aforementioned outward-facing second reflective surface, The rear housing supporting the first reflector and the second reflector, The rear housing comprises a front housing which is a translucent cover that covers the front portion of the rear housing so as to house the light source, the first reflector, and the second reflector. The first reflector is provided with a first hole that penetrates the front and back surfaces of the first reflector and allows light from the light source to pass toward the first reflective surface, The second reflector has a second hole that penetrates both the front and back surfaces of the second reflector and reflects the peripheral member facing the back surface of the second reflector onto the second reflective surface. The second reflective surface does not reflect light from the light source, It does not include a light source that emits light through the second hole toward the second reflective surface, The second hole is provided to form an air passage from the rear housing to the front housing through which the air passes. Vehicle lighting fixtures.