Vehicle lighting

Abstract

To provide a lamp for a vehicle which is enabled in further uniform light emission.SOLUTION: A light guide body 3A has a first light incident part for making first light L1 emitted from a first light source incident into a light guide part 5, a second light incident part for making second light L2 emitted from a second light source incident into the light guide part 5, a first reflection part 7A for reflecting the first light L1 incident from the first light incident part toward an in-plane first direction of the light guide part 5, a second reflection part 7B for reflecting the second light L2 incident from the second light incident part toward a second direction intersecting with the first direction at the inside of a plane of the light guide part 5, and a third reflection part 8 for reflecting the second light L2 reflected by the second reflection part 7B toward the first direction. The first reflection part 7A is located at a side progressing toward the first direction rather than the second reflection part 7B, and the third reflection part 8 is located at a side progressing toward the second direction with the first reflection part 7A sandwiched therebetween.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

Technical Field

[0007]

[0001] The present invention relates to vehicle lamps.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as vehicle lamps mounted on vehicles, those combining a light source such as a light-emitting diode (LED) and a light guide (light guide plate) in a plate shape or the like are known (for example, see Patent Document below).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document above, in order to cause the light guide to emit light with light from light sources having different colored lights, light incident from different positions of the light guide is made to exit from the same position of the light guide.

[0005] However, in such a vehicle lamp, the configuration is not suitable for uniformly emitting light in the vehicle width direction from the exit surface (light-emitting surface) provided on the front side of the light guide. For example, in a vehicle lamp such as a tail lamp, the exit surface may be inclined in a direction in which the outside recedes more than the inside in the vehicle width direction in accordance with the slant shape given to the corner portion on the front end or rear end side of the vehicle.

[0006] In this case, the space for sufficiently arranging the number of light sources necessary for uniform light emission from the exit surface and the length of the light guide in the front-rear direction cannot be sufficiently secured at the corner portion. As a result, the amount of light emitted from the exit surface may be insufficient, and the appearance during lighting may deteriorate.

[0007] In particular, the angle of inclination of the emission surface relative to the direction of light propagation is larger on the outer side of the emission surface than on the inner side in the width direction of the emission surface, which makes it easier for dark areas to occur at the outer edge of the emission surface.

[0008] This invention was proposed in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lighting device that enables more uniform light emission. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides the following means. [1] Multiple light sources that emit light in the same direction from each other, The light guide includes a flat plate-shaped light guide section that guides light emitted from the plurality of light sources, The plurality of light sources include a first light source that emits a first light, and a second light source that emits a second light. , a third light source that emits a third light and Includes, The first light source 、 The second light source and the third light source The first light directed towards the light guide portion from the thickness direction of the light guide portion. 、 The second light and the third light It fires, The light guide includes a first incident portion that directs the first light emitted from the first light source into the interior of the light guide portion, A second incident section that directs the second light emitted from the second light source into the interior of the light guide section, A third incident section that directs the third light emitted from the third light source into the interior of the light guide section, A first reflecting portion that reflects the first light incident from the first incident portion toward a first direction within the plane of the light guide portion, A second reflecting portion that reflects the second light incident from the second incident portion toward a second direction intersecting the first direction within the plane of the light guide portion, A third reflecting part that reflects the light from the second reflecting part toward the first direction, and 、 It has a fourth reflecting portion that reflects the third light incident from the third incident portion toward the first direction, The first light source is arranged in a plurality in a first parallel direction intersecting the first direction, The first incident section is provided in a plurality of parallel arrangements in the first parallel direction, corresponding to each of the first light sources. The first reflecting portion is provided in a plurality of parallel arrangements in the first direction, corresponding to each of the first incident portions. The second light source is arranged in a second parallel direction intersecting the second direction, The second incident section is provided in a plurality of parallel arrangements corresponding to each of the second light sources, The second reflecting portion is provided in a plurality of parallel arrangements in the second direction, corresponding to each of the second incident portions. The third light source is arranged in a third parallel direction intersecting the second direction, The third incident section is provided in a plurality of parallel arrangements in the third direction, corresponding to each of the third light sources. The fourth reflective section is provided in a plurality of parallel arrangements in the third direction, corresponding to each of the third incident sections. The plurality of second reflective portions and the plurality of fourth reflective portions are arranged in a direction in which the second parallel direction and the third parallel direction coincide. The plurality of first reflective portions are arranged in a line extending in the second direction from between the adjacent second reflective portion and the fourth reflective portion. A vehicle lamp characterized by the above-mentioned features 。 〔 2 〕 The light guide has an emission part that emits the first light reflected by the first reflection part and the second light reflected by the third reflection part to the outside of the light guide part, and is characterized by the above-mentioned vehicle lamp according to 〔1 ] described vehicle lamp 。 〔 3 〕 The light guide has an emission part that emits the first light reflected by the first reflection part, the second light reflected by the third reflection part, and the third light reflected by the fourth reflection part to the outside of the light guide part, and is characterized by the above-mentioned vehicle lamp according to 〔 1 〕 or 〔 2 〕 described vehicle lamp 〔 4 〕 The emission part has a shape inclined in a direction in which the outside recedes from the inside in the vehicle width direction in accordance with a slant shape provided at a corner part on the front end or rear end side of the vehicle, The third light source is located inside the vehicle width direction from the first light source and the second light source, and a plurality of the third light sources are arranged side by side in the direction in which the emission part is inclined, and is characterized by the above-mentioned vehicle lamp according to 〔 3 〕 described vehicle lamp 〔 5 〕 The plurality of light sources are provided on the same surface of the same substrate, The substrate is attached to the light guide in a state facing one surface of the light guide part, and is characterized by the above-mentioned vehicle lamp according to 〔1〕

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] As described above, the present invention makes it possible to provide a vehicle lighting device that enables more uniform light emission. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of a vehicle lighting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a top view showing the configuration of a vehicle lighting device. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the light guide element of a vehicle lighting fixture, seen from above. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the light guide element of the vehicle lighting fixture, seen from below. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a top view showing the configuration of the light guide. [Figure 6] Figure 4 is a bottom view showing the configuration of the light guide. [Figure 7] Figure 3 is a front view showing the configuration of the light guide. [Figure 8] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the light guide along the line segment AA. [Figure 9] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the light guide along the line segment BB. [Figure 10] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the light guide along the line segment CC. [Figure 11] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the light guide along the line segment DD. [Figure 12] Figure 3 is a top view showing the optical paths of the first to third light sources in the light guide. [Figure 13] This is a top view showing the configuration of a vehicle lighting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings used in the following explanation, the dimensions of each component may be shown on a different scale to make them easier to see, and the dimensional ratios of each component may not necessarily be the same as in reality.

[0013] Furthermore, in the drawings shown below, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is set, with the X-axis representing the vehicle's longitudinal direction (length), the Y-axis representing the vehicle's lateral direction (width), and the Z-axis representing the vehicle's vertical direction (height).

[0014] (First Embodiment) As a first embodiment of the present invention, for example, a vehicle lighting device 1A shown in Figures 1 to 12 will be described.

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the vehicle lighting fixture 1A. Figure 2 is a perspective top view showing the configuration of the vehicle lighting fixture 1A. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the light guide 3A of the vehicle lighting fixture 1A, viewed from above. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the light guide 3A of the vehicle lighting fixture 1A, viewed from below. Figure 5 is a top view showing the configuration of the light guide 3A. Figure 6 is a bottom view showing the configuration of the light guide 3A. Figure 7 is a front view showing the configuration of the light guide 3A. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the light guide 3A along the line segment AA shown in Figure 5. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the light guide 3A along the line segment BB shown in Figure 7. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the light guide 3A along the line segment CC shown in Figure 7. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the light guide 3A along the line segment DD shown in Figure 7. Figure 12 is a top view showing the optical paths of the first to third optics L1 to L3 in the light guide 3A.

[0016] The vehicle lighting device 1A of this embodiment is, for example, a tail lamp mounted on both corners of the rear end of a vehicle (not shown) (in this embodiment, the left rear end corner) that emits red light toward the rear of the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as the "first direction") (+X axis direction), to which the present invention is applied.

[0017] In the following explanation, unless otherwise specified, the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "up," and "down" refer to the respective directions when viewing the vehicle light fixture 1A from the front (rear of the vehicle). Therefore, these directions are the reverse of the directions when viewing the vehicle from the front (front of the vehicle).

[0018] Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, this vehicle lighting fixture 1A comprises multiple light sources 2A, 2B, and 2C, and a light guide 3A. These multiple light sources 2A, 2B, and 2C, along with the light guide 3A, are housed inside a lighting body (not shown) and are positioned at the left rear corner of the vehicle.

[0019] The lamp body consists of a housing with an open front and a transparent outer lens that covers the opening of the housing. The lamp body has a shape that is inclined in the direction of receding (-X axis direction) with respect to the first direction (+X axis direction), with respect to the width direction (Y axis direction) of the vehicle lamp 1A, with the outer side (+Y axis side) being more recessed than the inner side (-Y axis side).

[0020] The multiple light sources 2A, 2B, and 2C consist of LEDs that emit red light. The multiple light sources 2A, 2B, and 2C are mounted on one side (the bottom side in this embodiment) of the circuit board 4, which is also equipped with a drive circuit for driving the LEDs and connectors for external connections. As a result, the multiple light sources 2A, 2B, and 2C radiate light L1, L2, and L3 in a direction perpendicular to the one side of the circuit board 4 (downward in this embodiment). In other words, these multiple light sources 2A, 2B, and 2C are mounted on the same side of the same circuit board 4 and are configured to emit light L1, L2, and L3 in the same direction from each other.

[0021] The multiple light sources 2A, 2B, and 2C include multiple (two in this embodiment) first light sources 2A that emit a first light L1, multiple (two in this embodiment) second light sources 2B that emit a second light L2, and multiple (six in this embodiment) third light sources 2C that emit a third light L3.

[0022] Of these, multiple first light sources 2A are arranged in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the vehicle lighting fixture 1A (hereinafter, this direction will be referred to as the "first arrangement direction").

[0023] On the other hand, the multiple second light sources 2B are located on the opposite side (-X axis side) from the side of the first light source 2A that is facing the first direction (+X axis side), and are arranged in a direction that is inclined toward the direction (-X axis side) where the outer side (+Y axis side) recedes (-X axis side) from the inner side (-Y axis side) in the width direction (Y axis side) of the vehicle lamp 1A (hereinafter, this direction will be referred to as the "second arrangement direction").

[0024] On the other hand, the multiple third light sources 2C are located on the side of the first direction (+X axis side) that is further toward the first direction than the first light source 2A, and are arranged in a direction that is inclined toward the direction of receding (-X axis direction) than the side of the vehicle lamp 1A that is further toward the side of the first direction (-Y axis side) that is further toward the side of the first direction (-Y axis direction) (hereinafter, this direction will be referred to as the "third arrangement direction").

[0025] Furthermore, the multiple second light sources 2B and the multiple third light sources 2C are arranged in a forward-facing direction in which the second and third arrangement directions coincide. The multiple first light sources 2A are arranged in a second direction (in this embodiment, the +Y axis direction) that intersects the first direction within the plane of the light guide section 5, from between the adjacent second light sources 2B and third light sources 2C.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 to 12, the light guide 3A is made of a light-transmitting material such as a transparent resin like polycarbonate or acrylic, or glass. The light guide 3A has a light guide portion 5 that is formed as a flat plate as an inner lens, and the main surface of this light guide portion 5 is arranged to be parallel to the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the vehicle.

[0027] The circuit board 4 is attached to the light guide 3A, facing one surface (the top surface in this embodiment) of the light guide 5. Specifically, in this embodiment, the circuit board 4 is attached by crimping the tips of a pair of pins 3a that protrude from one surface of the light guide 3A, with the pins passing through a pair of holes 4a provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the circuit board 4. As a result, each light source 2A, 2B, and 2C emits light L1, L2, and L3 from the thickness direction of the light guide 5 toward one surface (top surface) of the light guide 5.

[0028] The method of attaching the circuit board 4 to the light guide 3A is not particularly limited, and methods other than the crimping described above, such as screw fastening, may also be used. The light guide 3A, with the circuit board 4 attached integrally, is attached to the inside of the housing via a bracket (not shown) by screw fastening or the like.

[0029] The light guide section 5 has a first end face 5a that constitutes the front side (+X axis side) of the light guide body 3A, a second end face 5b located on the opposite side from the first end face 5a, a third end face 5c that connects the first end face 5a and the second end face 5b and is located on the outside (+Y axis side) in the width direction (Y axis direction), and a fourth end face 5d that connects the first end face 5a and the second end face 5b and is located on the inside (-Y axis side) in the width direction (Y axis direction).

[0030] Of these, the first end face 5a and the second end face 5b extend in a direction (second and third arrangement direction) that is inclined toward the direction (-X axis direction) toward the direction in which the outer side (+Y axis side) of the vehicle lighting fixture 1A recedes (-X axis direction) more than the inner side (-Y axis side) of the width direction (Y axis direction) of the vehicle lighting fixture 1A, in accordance with the slant shape applied to the corner portion on the rear end side of the vehicle.

[0031] On the other hand, the third end face 5c extends in a direction that is inclined in the opposite direction to the direction in which the first end face 5a and the second end face 5b are inclined. On the other hand, the fourth end face 5d extends in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) of the vehicle light fixture 1A. Furthermore, the distance between the third end face 5c and the first end face 5a and the second end face 5b is shorter than that between the third end face 5c and the fourth end face 5d.

[0032] The light guide 3A includes a plurality of (two in this embodiment) first incident portions 6A provided on one surface (upper surface) of the light guide portion 5, facing each of the plurality of first light sources 2A; a plurality of (two in this embodiment) second incident portions 6B provided on one surface (upper surface) of the light guide portion 5, facing each of the plurality of second light sources 2B; a plurality of (six in this embodiment) third incident portions 6C provided on one surface (upper surface) of the light guide portion 5, facing each of the plurality of third light sources 2C; and a plurality of first incident portions 6A on the other surface (lower surface in this embodiment) of the light guide portion 5. It has a plurality of (two in this embodiment) first reflectors 7A provided opposite to each of the multiple second incident portions 6B provided on the other surface (bottom surface) of the light guide portion 5, a plurality of (two in this embodiment) second reflectors 7B provided opposite to each of the multiple second incident portions 6B, a third reflector 8 provided on the third end face 5c of the light guide portion 5, a plurality of (six in this embodiment) fourth reflectors 7C provided on the other surface (bottom surface) of the light guide portion 5 opposite to each of the multiple third incident portions 6C, and an emission portion 9 provided on the first end face 5a of the light guide portion 5.

[0033] Multiple first incident portions 6A are arranged in a first alignment direction (Y-axis direction). Multiple second incident portions 6B are located on the opposite side (-X-axis side) from the side of the first incident portions 6A that is in the first direction (+X-axis side), and are arranged in a second alignment direction. Multiple third incident portions 6C are located on the side of the first incident portions 6A that is in the first direction (+X-axis side), and are arranged in a third alignment direction.

[0034] Furthermore, the multiple second incident portions 6B and the multiple third incident portions 6C are arranged in a forward-facing direction along the second end face 5b of the light guide portion 5, in a direction in which the second and third arrangement directions coincide. The multiple first incident portions 6A are arranged in a second direction (+Y axis direction) from between the adjacent second incident portions 6B and third incident portions 6C.

[0035] Each incident section 6A, 6B, 6C has a convex first light-gathering incident surface 10a located in the center of the portion facing each light source 2A, 2B, 2C, into which a portion of the light L1, L2, L3 emitted from each light source 2A, 2B, 2C is incident; a second light-gathering incident surface 10b located on the inner circumference of a protruding portion that extends from a position surrounding the first light-gathering incident surface 10a toward each light source 2A, 2B, 2C, into which a portion of the light L1, L2, L3 emitted from each light source 2A, 2B, 2C is incident; and a light-gathering reflective surface 10c located on the outer circumference of the protruding portion that reflects the light L1, L2, L3 incident from the second light-gathering incident surface 10b.

[0036] In each of the incident sections 6A, 6B, and 6C, the light L1, L2, L3 emitted from each of the light sources 2A, 2B, and 2C is focused towards the optical axis of the light L1, L2, L3 emitted from each of the light sources 2A, 2B, and 2C that enters the interior of the light guide section 5 from the first focusing incident surface 10a. On the other hand, the light L1, L2, L3 that enters the interior of the light guide section 5 from the second focusing incident surface 10b is reflected by the focusing reflective surface 10c, thereby focusing towards the optical axis of the light L1, L2, L3 emitted from each of the light sources 2A, 2B, and 2C.

[0037] As a result, in each of the inlet sections 6A, 6B, and 6C, the light L1, L2, and L3 emitted radially from each of the light sources 2A, 2B, and 2C are parallelized or focused as they enter the interior of the light guide section 5. In addition, the light L1, L2, and L3 incident from each of the inlet sections 6A, 6B, and 6C are guided toward the other side (bottom side) of the light guide section 5.

[0038] Multiple first reflectors 7A are arranged in a first alignment direction (Y-axis direction). Multiple second reflectors 7B are located on the opposite side (-X-axis side) from the side of the first reflectors 7A that is in the first direction (+X-axis side), and are arranged in a second alignment direction. Multiple fourth reflectors 7C are located on the side of the first reflectors 7A that is in the first direction (+X-axis side), and are arranged in a third alignment direction.

[0039] Furthermore, the multiple second reflectors 7B and the multiple fourth reflectors 7C are arranged in a forward-facing direction along the second end face 5b of the light guide 5, in a direction in which the second and third arrangement directions coincide. The multiple first reflectors 7A are arranged in a second direction (+Y axis direction) from between the adjacent second reflectors 7B and fourth reflectors 7C.

[0040] Each first reflecting section 7A has a first reflective surface 7a inclined toward a first direction (+X axis direction) in a cross-section along its vertical direction (XZ axis direction). Each first reflecting section 7A reflects the first light L1 incident from the first incident section 6A toward a first direction (+X axis direction) within the plane of the light guiding section 5 by the first reflective surface 7a. As a result, the first light L1 reflected by the first reflective surface 7a is guided toward the emission section 9.

[0041] Furthermore, the first reflective surface 7a has a concave curved shape in its cross-section along its horizontal direction (XY axis direction), and reflects the first light L1 incident on this first reflective surface 7a while diffusing it toward the first direction (+X axis direction).

[0042] As a result, in the multiple first reflecting sections 7A, it is possible to homogenize the first light L1 diffusely reflected from each first reflecting surface 7a toward the first direction (+X axis direction) while overlapping with each other in the first arrangement direction.

[0043] Each second reflecting section 7B has a second reflecting surface 7b inclined toward a second direction (+Y axis direction) in a cross-section along its vertical direction (YZ axis direction). Each second reflecting section 7B reflects the second light L2 incident from the second incident section 6B toward the second direction (+Y axis direction) within the plane of the light guiding section 5 by the second reflecting surface 7b. As a result, the second light L2 reflected by the second reflecting surface 7b is guided toward the third reflecting section 8.

[0044] Furthermore, the second reflective surface 7b has a concave curved shape in its cross-section along its horizontal direction (XY axis direction), and reflects the second light L2 incident on this second reflective surface 7b while diffusing it toward the second direction (+Y axis direction).

[0045] As a result, in multiple second reflectors 7B, it is possible to homogenize the second light L2 diffusely reflected from each second reflector surface 7b toward the second direction (+Y axis direction) while overlapping with each other in the second arrangement direction.

[0046] The third reflecting section 8 has a third reflecting surface 8a inclined toward the first direction (+X axis direction) in a cross-section along its horizontal direction (XY axis direction). In the third reflecting section 8, the second light L2 reflected by the second reflecting surface 7b (second reflecting section 7B) is reflected toward the first direction (+X axis direction) by the third reflecting surface 8a. As a result, the second light L2 reflected by the third reflecting surface 8a is guided toward the emission section 9.

[0047] Each fourth reflecting section 7C has a fourth reflective surface 7c inclined toward the first direction (+X axis direction) in a cross-section along its vertical direction (XZ axis direction). Each fourth reflecting section 7C reflects the third light L3 incident from the third incident section 6C toward the first direction (+X axis direction) within the plane of the light guiding section 5 by the fourth reflective surface 7c. As a result, the third light L3 reflected by the fourth reflective surface 7c is guided toward the emission section 9.

[0048] Furthermore, the fourth reflective surface 7c has a concave curved shape in its cross-section along its horizontal direction (XY axis direction), and reflects the third light L3 incident on this fourth reflective surface 7c while diffusing it toward the first direction (+X axis direction).

[0049] As a result, in the multiple fourth reflectors 7C, it is possible to homogenize the third light L3 diffusely reflected from each of the fourth reflectors 7c toward the first direction (+X axis direction) while overlapping with each other in the first arrangement direction (Y axis direction).

[0050] The emission section 9 has an emission surface 9a that, in accordance with the slant shape of the lamp body described above, is inclined in the direction (-X axis direction) such that the outer side (+Y axis side) recedes more than the inner side (-Y axis side) of the width direction (Y axis direction) of the light guide section 5 with respect to the first direction (+X axis direction).

[0051] In the emission section 9, the first light L1 reflected by the first reflective surface 7a (first reflective section 7A), the second light L2 reflected by the third reflective surface 8a (third reflective section 8), and the third light L3 reflected by the fourth reflective surface 7c (fourth reflective section 7C) are emitted from the emission surface 9a to the outside of the light guide section 5.

[0052] Furthermore, the emission section 9 has multiple diffusion cuts 11 for diffusing each of the light rays L1, L2, and L3 emitted from the emission surface 9a in a first direction (+X axis direction). Examples of diffusion cuts 11 include lens cuts such as flute cuts and fisheye cuts, or uneven structures formed by knurling or textured processing. By adjusting the shape of these diffusion cuts, it is possible to control the degree of diffusion of each of the light rays L1, L2, and L3 emitted from the emission surface 9a.

[0053] In this embodiment, the diffusion cut 11 is a fisheye cut that diffuses each of the light rays L1, L2, and L3 emitted from the emission surface 9a in the vertical and horizontal directions of the vehicle lamp 1A. In addition, the multiple diffusion cuts 11 are arranged in a stepped manner in the width direction of the light guide 5 and in a linear manner in the thickness direction of the light guide 5.

[0054] In the vehicle lighting device 1A of this embodiment, which has the above configuration, it is possible to make the light-emitting surface corresponding to the light-emitting surface 9a (emitting part 9) of the light guide 3A emit red light substantially uniformly as a tail lamp.

[0055] By the way, in the vehicle lamp 1A of this embodiment, the emission surface 9a has a shape that is inclined in the direction (-X axis direction) where the outer side (+Y axis side) of the light guide portion 5 is receding more than the inner side (-Y axis side) in the width direction (Y axis direction) of the lamp body described above, in accordance with the slant shape applied to the rear end corner portion of the vehicle.

[0056] In this case, the angle of inclination of the emission surface 9a with respect to the direction of propagation of each light L1, L2, L3 emitted from the emission surface 9a, i.e., the first direction (+X axis direction), becomes larger on the outer side (+Y axis side) of the emission surface 9a than on the inner side (-Y axis side) of the emission surface 9a (Y axis direction). As a result, dark areas are more likely to occur at the outer edge of this emission surface 9a.

[0057] In contrast, in the vehicle lighting device 1A of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 12, the first reflective surface 7a (first reflective part 7A) is located on the side facing the first direction (+X axis direction) (+X axis side) than the second reflective surface 7b (second reflective part 7B), and the third reflective surface 8a (third reflective part 8) is located on the side facing the second direction (+Y axis direction) (+Y axis side) with the first reflective surface 7a (first reflective part 7A) in between.

[0058] Furthermore, in the vehicle lighting device 1A of this embodiment, the fourth reflector 7C is located on the side that faces the first direction (+X axis direction) (+X axis side) more than the first reflector 7A, and is located on the opposite side (-Y axis side) from the side that faces the second direction (+Y axis direction) with respect to the first reflector 7A.

[0059] In the vehicle light fixture 1A of this embodiment, in the region inside the outer edge of the emission surface 9a where the influence of the inclination angle of the emission surface 9a is small, the third light L3 reflected in the first direction (+X axis direction) from a plurality of fourth reflective surfaces 7c (fourth reflective part 7C) arranged in the third arrangement direction is emitted from the emission surface 9a to the outside of the light guide part 5.

[0060] On the other hand, in the vehicle light fixture 1A of this embodiment, in the region outside the area from which the third light L3 is emitted from the emission surface 9a, the first light L1 reflected in the first direction (+X axis direction) from a plurality of first reflective surfaces 7a (first reflective section 7A) arranged in the first alignment direction is emitted from the emission surface 9a to the outside of the light guide section 5.

[0061] Furthermore, in the vehicle light fixture 1A of this embodiment, in the region outside the area from which the first light L1 is emitted from the emission surface 9a, the second light L2 is reflected in the second direction (+Y axis direction) from a plurality of second reflective surfaces 7b (second reflective section 7B) arranged in the second alignment direction, and then this second light L2 is reflected in the first direction (+X axis direction) by the third reflective surface 8a (third reflective section 8), thereby emitting the second light L2 from the emission surface 9a to the outside of the light guide section 5.

[0062] As a result, in the vehicle light fixture 1A of this embodiment, even when the angle of inclination of the emission surface 9a with respect to the direction of travel (first direction) of each light L1, L2, L3 emitted from the emission surface 9a is larger on the outer side than on the inner side in the width direction of the emission surface 9a, it is possible to make the emission surface 9a emit light more uniformly over the entire width direction.

[0063] Furthermore, in the vehicle lighting fixture 1A of this embodiment, multiple light sources 2A, 2B, and 2C can be arranged facing each other on one surface (top surface) of the light guide unit 5 without being limited by the slant shape of the light body described above.

[0064] (Second embodiment) Next, as a second embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle lighting device 1B shown in Figure 13 will be described.

[0065] Figure 13 is a top view showing the configuration of the vehicle lighting fixture 1B. In the following explanation, parts equivalent to those of the vehicle lighting fixture 1A will not be described, and the same reference numerals will be used in the drawings.

[0066] The vehicle lighting fixture 1B of this embodiment is, for example, a position lamp mounted on both corners of the front end of a vehicle (not shown) that emits white light towards the front of the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as the "first direction") (+X axis direction), to which the present invention is applied.

[0067] As shown in Figure 13, the vehicle lighting device 1B of this embodiment comprises a plurality of light sources 2D, 2E and a light guide 3B.

[0068] The multiple light sources 2D and 2E consist of LEDs that emit white light. The multiple light sources 2D and 2E are mounted on one side (the bottom surface in this embodiment) of a circuit board (not shown). As a result, the multiple light sources 2D and 2E radiate light L4 and L5 in a direction perpendicular to one side of the circuit board 4 (downward in this embodiment). In other words, these multiple light sources 2D and 2E are provided on the same side of the same circuit board 4 and are configured to emit light L4 and L5 in the same direction from each other.

[0069] The multiple light sources 2D, 2E include multiple (two in this embodiment) first light sources 2D that emit a first light L4, and multiple (three in this embodiment) second light sources 2E that emit a second light L5.

[0070] Of these, multiple first light sources 2D are arranged in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the vehicle lighting fixture 1B (hereinafter, this direction will be referred to as the "first arrangement direction").

[0071] On the other hand, the multiple second light sources 2E are located on the opposite side (-X axis side) from the side of the first light source 2D that is facing the first direction (+X axis side), and are arranged in the front-to-back direction (X axis direction) of the vehicle lighting fixture 1B (hereinafter, this direction will be referred to as the "second arrangement direction").

[0072] Furthermore, the multiple first light sources 2D are arranged symmetrically in the width direction of the vehicle lighting fixture 1B, with the positions where the multiple second light sources 2E are lined up in between.

[0073] The light guide 3B is made of the same light-transmitting material as exemplified in the light guide 3A. The light guide 3B has a light guide portion 30 that is formed in a flat plate shape overall, and the main surface of this light guide portion 30 is arranged to be parallel to the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the vehicle.

[0074] The light guide section 30 has a first end face 30a that constitutes the front side (+X axis side) of the light guide body 3B, a second end face 30b located on the opposite side from the first end face 30a, a third end face 30c located on one side (+Y axis side) connecting the first end face 30a and the second end face 30b, and a fourth end face 30d located on the other side (-Y axis side) connecting the first end face 5a and the second end face 5b.

[0075] Of these, the first end face 30a extends in a direction in which both sides of the vehicle light fixture 1B, which spans the width direction (Y direction), are receding (-X direction) relative to the first direction (+X direction). On the other hand, the second end face 30b extends in the width direction (Y direction) of the vehicle light fixture 1B. On the other hand, the third end face 30c extends in a direction in which one side of the first end face 30a is inclined in the opposite direction. On the other hand, the fourth end face 30d extends in a direction in which the other side of the first end face 30a is inclined in the opposite direction.

[0076] The light guide 3B has a plurality of (two in this embodiment) first incident portions 6D provided on one surface (upper surface) of the light guide portion 30 facing each of the plurality of first light sources 2D, a plurality of (three in this embodiment) second incident portions 6E provided on one surface (upper surface) of the light guide portion 30 facing each of the plurality of second light sources 2E, a plurality of (two in this embodiment) first reflecting portions 7D provided on the other surface (lower surface in this embodiment) of the light guide portion 30 facing each of the plurality of first incident portions 6D, a plurality of (three in this embodiment) second reflecting portions 7E provided on the other surface (lower surface) of the light guide portion 5 facing each of the plurality of second incident portions 6E, a pair of third reflecting portions 8A, 8B provided on the third end face 30c and the fourth end face 30d of the light guide portion 30, and an emission portion 90 provided on the first end face 30a of the light guide portion 30.

[0077] Since the first injection section 6D and the second injection section 6E have basically the same configuration as the first injection section 6A and the second injection section 6B, their explanation is omitted and their illustration is simplified.

[0078] Multiple first incident portions 6D are arranged in a line in the first alignment direction (Y-axis direction). On the other hand, multiple second incident portions 6E are located on the opposite side (-X-axis side) from the side of the first incident portions 6D that is toward the first direction (+X-axis side), and are arranged in a line in the second alignment direction. Furthermore, the multiple first incident portions 6D are arranged symmetrically in the width direction of the vehicle light fixture 1B, with the position where the multiple second incident portions 6E are aligned in between.

[0079] Each of the incident portions 6D and 6E directs the light L4 and L5 emitted radially from each of the light sources 2D and 2E into the interior of the light guide portion 30, while parallelizing or focusing the light. In addition, the light L4 and L5 incident from each incident portion 6D and 6E is guided toward the other side (bottom side) of the light guide portion 30.

[0080] Since the first reflector 7D and the second reflector 7E have basically the same configuration as the first reflector 7A and the second reflector 7B described above, their explanation is omitted and their illustration is simplified.

[0081] Multiple first reflectors 7D are arranged in a line in the first alignment direction (Y-axis direction). On the other hand, multiple second reflectors 7E are located on the opposite side (-X-axis side) from the side of the first reflectors 7D that is in the first direction (+X-axis side), and are arranged in a line in the second alignment direction (X-axis direction). Furthermore, the multiple first reflectors 7D are arranged symmetrically in the width direction of the vehicle lamp 1B, with the position where the multiple second reflectors 7E are arranged in between.

[0082] Each first reflecting section 7D has a first reflective surface 7d, and reflects the first light L4 incident from each first incident section 6D in a first direction (+X axis direction) within the plane of the light guiding section 30 by the first reflective surface 7d. As a result, the first light L4 reflected by the first reflective surface 7a is guided toward the emission section 90.

[0083] Each second reflecting section 7E has a pair of second reflecting surfaces 70a and 70b that are inclined in opposite directions with respect to the second alignment direction (X-axis direction). Each second reflecting section 7E reflects the second light L5 incident from each second incident section 6E in opposite directions by the pair of second reflecting surfaces 70a and 70b toward the second direction (+Y-axis direction and -Y-axis direction) within the plane of the light guiding section 5. As a result, the second light L2 reflected by the pair of second reflecting surfaces 70a and 70b is guided toward the pair of third reflecting sections 8A and 8B.

[0084] The pair of third reflectors 8A and 8B each have a third reflective surface 8b, which reflects the second light L2 reflected by the pair of second reflectors 70a and 70b (second reflector 7E) in the first direction (+X axis direction) via the third reflective surface 8b. As a result, the second light L2 reflected by the third reflective surface 8b is guided toward the emission section 9.

[0085] The emission section 90 has emission surfaces 90a that are inclined in opposite directions relative to the first direction (+X axis direction) and toward the direction (-X axis direction) in which both sides of the central part in the width direction (Y axis direction) of the vehicle light fixture 1B are receding.

[0086] In the emission section 90, the first light L4 reflected by the first reflective surface 7d (first reflective section 7D) and the second light L2 reflected by the third reflective surfaces 8b (a pair of third reflective sections 8A, 8B) are emitted from the emission surface 90a to the outside of the light guide section 5.

[0087] In the vehicle lighting device 1B of this embodiment, which has the above configuration, it is possible to emit a substantially uniform white light from the light-emitting surface corresponding to the light-emitting surface 90a (emitting section 90) of the light guide 3B as a position lamp.

[0088] By the way, in the vehicle light fixture 1B of this embodiment, the emission surface 90a has a shape in which both sides of the central part in the width direction (Y direction) of the light guide portion 30 are tilted in opposite directions (-X direction) with respect to the first direction (+X direction).

[0089] In this case, outside the central part of the emission surface 90a (in the Y-axis direction) (on the +Y-axis and -Y-axis sides), the angle of inclination of the emission surface 90a with respect to the direction of propagation of each light L1, L2 emitted from the emission surface 90a, i.e., the first direction (+X-axis direction), becomes larger, making it easier for dark areas to occur at the outer edges of the emission surface 90a.

[0090] In contrast, in the vehicle lighting device 1B of this embodiment, the first reflective surface 7d (first reflective part 7D) is located on the side facing the first direction (+X axis direction) (+X axis side) more than the pair of second reflective surfaces 70a, 70b (second reflective parts 7E), and the third reflective surface 8b (pair of third reflective parts 8A, 8B) is located on the side facing the second direction (+Y axis direction and -Y axis direction) (+Y axis side and -Y axis side) with the first reflective surface 7d (first reflective part 7D) in between.

[0091] In the vehicle light fixture 1B of this embodiment, in the central region of the emission surface 90a in the width direction (Y-axis direction), the first light L4 reflected from a plurality of first reflective surfaces 7d (first reflective portion 7D) arranged in a first arrangement direction toward a first direction (+X-axis direction) is emitted from the emission surface 90a to the outside of the light guide portion 30.

[0092] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 1B of this embodiment, in the region outside the central region from which the first light L4 of the emission surface 90a is emitted, the second light L5 is reflected in the second direction (+Y axis direction and -Y axis direction) from a plurality of second reflective surfaces 70a, 70b (second reflective section 7E) arranged in the second alignment direction, and then reflected in the first direction (+X axis direction) by the third reflective surface 8b (a pair of third reflective sections 8A, 8B), thereby emitting the second light L5 from the emission surface 9a to the outside of the light guide section 30.

[0093] As a result, in the vehicle light fixture 1B of this embodiment, even when the angle of inclination of the emission surface 90a with respect to the direction of travel (first direction) of each light L4, L5 emitted from the emission surface 90a becomes large outside the central part of the emission surface 90a in the width direction, it is possible to make the emission surface 90a emit light more uniformly over the entire width direction.

[0094] Furthermore, in the vehicle lighting device 1B of this embodiment, the above-mentioned multiple light sources 2D and 2E can be arranged on the same surface of the circuit board facing one surface (top surface) of the light guide unit 30.

[0095] It should be noted that the present invention is not necessarily limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the above-mentioned vehicle lighting fixtures 1A and 1B, the shape of the light guides 3A and 3B can be appropriately changed to match the design of the actual vehicle. Furthermore, although the light guides 3A and 3B include the plate-shaped light guides 5 and 30 described above, they may also be configured to emit light by combining them with another light guide connected to the light guides 5 and 30.

[0096] Furthermore, while the above embodiments illustrate the application of the present invention to vehicle lighting devices such as taillights and position lamps, when configuring taillights or position lamps, it is possible to combine them with other components such as outer lenses, reflectors, and extensions, in addition to the light source and light guide that serve as the inner lens described above.

[0097] In the above embodiments, examples illustrate the application of the present invention to the taillights and position lamps described above. However, the vehicle lighting equipment to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the turn signals and position lamps described above. For example, the present invention can be broadly applied to vehicle lighting equipment equipped with a light source and a light guide, such as turn signals, brake lights (stop lamps), reverse lights, and daytime running lights (DRLs).

[0098] Furthermore, in addition to the LEDs mentioned above, other light-emitting elements such as laser diodes (LDs) can also be used as light sources. The color of the light emitted by the light source can also be changed as appropriate depending on the application of the vehicle lighting, including colors other than the red and white light mentioned above, such as orange light. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0099] 1A, 1B…Vehicle lighting fixture 2A, 2D…First light source 2B, 2E…Second light source 2C…Third light source 3A, 3B…Light guide 4…Circuit board 5, 30…Light guide section 6A, 6D…First incident section 6B, 6E…Second incident section 6C…Third incident section 7A, 7D…First reflecting section 7B, 7E…Second reflecting section 7C…Fourth reflecting section 8, 8A, 8B…Third reflecting section 9, 9…Emitting section L1, L4…First light L2, L5…Second light L3…Third light

Claims

1. Multiple light sources that emit light in the same direction from each other, The light guide includes a flat plate-shaped light guide section that guides light emitted from the plurality of light sources, The plurality of light sources include a first light source that emits a first light, a second light source that emits a second light, and a third light source that emits a third light. The first light source, the second light source, and the third light source emit the first light, the second light, and the third light towards the light guide from the thickness direction of the light guide. The light guide includes a first incident portion that directs the first light emitted from the first light source into the interior of the light guide portion, A second incident section that directs the second light emitted from the second light source into the interior of the light guide section, A third incident section that directs the third light emitted from the third light source into the interior of the light guide section, A first reflecting portion that reflects the first light incident from the first incident portion toward a first direction within the plane of the light guide portion, A second reflecting portion that reflects the second light incident from the second incident portion toward a second direction intersecting the first direction within the plane of the light guide portion, A third reflecting part that reflects the second light reflected by the second reflecting part toward the first direction, It has a fourth reflecting portion that reflects the third light incident from the third incident portion toward the first direction, The first light source is arranged in a plurality of parallel directions intersecting the first direction, The first incident section is provided in a plurality of parallel arrangements in the first parallel direction, corresponding to each of the first light sources. The first reflecting portion is provided in a plurality of parallel arrangements in the first direction, corresponding to each of the first incident portions. The second light source is arranged in a second parallel direction intersecting the second direction, The second incident section is provided in a plurality of parallel arrangements in the second direction, corresponding to each of the second light sources. The second reflective portion is provided in a plurality of parallel arrangements in the second direction, corresponding to each of the second incident portions. The third light source is arranged in a third parallel direction intersecting the second direction, The third incident section is provided in a plurality of parallel arrangements in the third direction, corresponding to each of the third light sources. The fourth reflective section is provided in a plurality of parallel arrangements in the third direction, corresponding to each of the third incident sections. The plurality of second reflective portions and the plurality of fourth reflective portions are arranged in a direction in which the second parallel direction and the third parallel direction coincide. The vehicle lighting device is characterized in that the plurality of first reflectors are arranged in a line from between the adjacent second reflectors and fourth reflectors toward the second direction.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the light guide has an output section that emits the first light reflected by the first reflecting section and the second light reflected by the third reflecting section to the outside of the light guide.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the light guide has an output section that emits the first light reflected by the first reflecting section, the second light reflected by the third reflecting section, and the third light reflected by the fourth reflecting section to the outside of the light guide.

4. The ejection portion has a shape that is inclined in a direction that is set back on the outside rather than the inside in the width direction of the vehicle, in accordance with the slant shape applied to the corner portion at the front or rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 3, characterized in that the third light source is located further inward in the width direction of the vehicle than the first light source and the second light source, and is arranged in a plurality in a direction in which the emission portion is inclined.

5. The aforementioned multiple light sources are provided on the same surface of the same substrate. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the substrate is attached to the light guide in a state facing one surface of the light guide portion.

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