Light guides and vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

To provide a light guide body in which a dark part (dark) between rod-like light guide parts adjacent to each other is inconspicuous.SOLUTION: A light guide body 10 guides light from light sources 20A and 20B, and includes a plurality of rod-like light guide parts 11A1, 11A2, and 11B1-11B9 arranged in parallel with one another. When a pair of rod-like light guide parts arranged on both sides in an arrangement direction out of the plurality of rod-like light guide parts are called first rod-like light guide parts, and rod-like light guide parts arranged between the pair of first rod-like light guide parts are called second rod-like light guide parts, the diameter of the second rod-like light guide parts is smaller than the diameter of the first rod-like light guide parts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a light guide and a vehicle lighting device, and more particularly to a light guide and a vehicle lighting device in which the dark areas between the rod-shaped light guides are less noticeable. [Background technology]

[0002] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the light guide 100 described in Patent Document 1. As shown in Figure 11, a vehicle lighting device has been proposed that includes a light guide 100 comprising two rod-shaped light guides 110A and 110B arranged in parallel with a gap between them, and a plate-shaped light guide 120 connecting the opposing sides (outer circumferential surfaces) of the two rod-shaped light guides 110A and 110B (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (Figures 1 and 2, etc.)).

[0003] In response to this, the inventors considered arranging multiple rod-shaped light guides of the same diameter in parallel adjacent to each other (see Figure 12), and causing these multiple rod-shaped light guides to emit light in a planar manner (broad surface emission). Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the multiple rod-shaped light guides considered by the inventors. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-116142 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] However, when multiple rod-shaped light guides are arranged in parallel adjacent to each other, each rod-shaped light guide has a region where light is not emitted in a direction inclined at an angle θ0 (for example, θ0 = 45°) with respect to the reference axis AX extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (see the dotted arrow in Figure 12). As a result, when the viewpoint P0 is placed in that direction, a dark area is visible between the rod-shaped light guides, which presents a problem.

[0006] This disclosure is made to solve these problems and aims to provide a light guide and a vehicle light fixture in which the dark areas between the rod-shaped light guides are less noticeable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The light guide according to this disclosure is a light guide that guides light from a light source and includes a plurality of rod-shaped light guides arranged in parallel with each other, wherein a pair of rod-shaped light guides arranged on both sides in the direction of arrangement are designated as the first rod-shaped light guide, and a rod-shaped light guide arranged between the pair of first rod-shaped light guides is designated as the second rod-shaped light guide, in which case the diameter of the second rod-shaped light guide is smaller than the diameter of the first rod-shaped light guide.

[0008] This configuration makes it possible to provide a light guide in which the dark areas between adjacent rod-shaped light guide sections are less noticeable.

[0009] This is because the diameter of the second rod-shaped light guide is smaller than the diameter of the first rod-shaped light guide, resulting in a narrower spacing between dark areas, which makes it less likely for the human eye to perceive unevenness (dark areas).

[0010] Furthermore, the light guide may include a plurality of the second rod-shaped light guide portions.

[0011] Furthermore, in the above-described light guide, the multiple second rod-shaped light guides may be arranged in parallel adjacent to each other.

[0012] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned light guide, a flat plate portion may be provided between the end face on the base end side of the second rod-shaped light guide portion and the outer peripheral surface on the base end side of the first rod-shaped light guide portion.

[0013] Furthermore, in the above-described light guide, the width of the light-emitting surface of the second rod-shaped light guide portion may be approximately equal to the width of the reflective surface located on the opposite side of the light-emitting surface.

[0014] Furthermore, in the above-described light guide, the plurality of rod-shaped light guide portions may be curved in three dimensions.

[0015] Further, in the above light guide, light emitted from the light exit surface of the first rod-shaped light guide section may be brighter than light emitted from the light exit surface of the second rod-shaped light guide section.

[0016] A vehicular lamp according to the present disclosure includes the light guide according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and the light source.

[0017] With this configuration, it is possible to provide a vehicular lamp in which dark portions between adjacent rod-shaped light guide sections are less noticeable.

[0018] This is because the diameter of the second rod-shaped light guide section is smaller than the diameter of the first rod-shaped light guide section, so that the interval between dark portions becomes narrow, making it difficult for the human eye to recognize unevenness (dark portions). Effects of the Invention

[0019] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a light guide and a vehicular lamp in which dark portions between adjacent rod-shaped light guide sections are less noticeable. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of the light guide 10. [Figure 2] It is an A-A cross-sectional view of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a B-B cross-sectional view of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a diagram in which outer shapes of second rod-shaped light guide sections 11B1 to 11B9 (shapes obtained by cutting both left and right sides of a ginkgo leaf shape) are drawn compared to FIG. 2. [Figure 5] (a) is an enlarged perspective view near the base end portion BE11A1 and base end portion BE11A2 of the light guide 10, (b) is a C-C cross-sectional view of FIG. 5(a), (c) is an example of a connecting portion connecting the flat plate portion 12 and the second rod-shaped light guide section 11B, and (d) is another example of a connecting portion connecting the flat plate portion 12 and the second rod-shaped light guide section 11B. [Figure 6] It is a diagram for explaining an optical path of light from the light source 20. [Figure 7](a) A schematic diagram of the light guide 100 of a comparative example, and (b) a schematic diagram of the light guide 10 of this embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a modified example of the rod-shaped light guide section 11. [Figure 9] These are modified versions of the rod-shaped light guide sections 11A1, 11A2, and 11B1-11B9. [Figure 10] This is a modified example of the first rod-shaped light guide 11A1 and the other first rod-shaped light guide 11A2. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram of the light guide 100 described in Patent Document 1. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional view of the rod-shaped light guide portion(s) investigated by the present inventor. [Figure 13] (a) Front view of the light guide 10, (b) Top view, (c) Side view. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] Hereinafter, the light guide 10, which is an embodiment of the present disclosure, will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In each figure, corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0022] The following explanation will use the example where the light guide 10 is an inner lens used in a vehicle lighting device (for example, a vehicle signal light) mounted on the right side of the front end of a vehicle (not shown) (right side when facing forward).

[0023] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the light guide 10, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view AA of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view BB of Figure 1. Figure 13(a) is a front view of the light guide 10, Figure 13(b) is a top view, and Figure 13(c) is a side view.

[0024] The light guide 10 is a light guide that guides light from the light source. Specifically, the light guide 10 is made of a transparent resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate, with a base end BE 11A1 , BE 11A2It includes multiple rod-shaped light guides 11A1, 11A2, 11B1~11B9 arranged in parallel with each other to guide light from light sources 20A and 20B that enter from the end faces of the sides toward the tip (see Figure 1). The rod-shaped light guides are also called light guide rods.

[0025] Hereinafter, a pair of rod-shaped light guides arranged on both sides in the direction of arrangement will be referred to as the first rod-shaped light guides 11A1 and 11A2, and a pair of rod-shaped light guides arranged between the pair of first rod-shaped light guides 11A1 and 11A2 will be referred to as the second rod-shaped light guides 11B1 to 11B9. When there is no particular distinction between the first rod-shaped light guides 11A1 and 11A2 and the second rod-shaped light guides 11B1 to 11B9, they will simply be referred to as rod-shaped light guides 11.

[0026] First, the first rod-shaped light guides 11A1 and 11A2 will be described. Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, the first rod-shaped light guide will be referred to as 11A.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 and 13(a) to 13(c), the first rod-shaped light guide portion 11A is curved in three dimensions. Specifically, one first rod-shaped light guide portion 11A1 and the other first rod-shaped light guide portion 11A2 are arranged adjacent to each other at their base end BEs. 11A1 , BE 11A2 And this base end BE 11A1 , BE 11A2 It includes a first intermediate section A2 that extends inward in the vehicle width direction so that the distance between them gradually widens; a second intermediate section A3 that extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the first intermediate section A2 so that they are roughly parallel to each other; and a third intermediate section A4 that extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the second intermediate section A3 so that the distance between them gradually narrows.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, the cross-sectional shape of the first rod-shaped light guide 11A (the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; the same applies hereinafter) is ginkgo leaf-shaped. Specifically, the first rod-shaped light guide 11A includes a light-emitting surface 11a, a first reflective surface 11b located on the opposite side thereof, and a pair of second reflective surfaces 11c and 11d located on both sides thereof.

[0029] The light-emitting surface 11a is positioned on the front side (vehicle front side), and the first reflective surface 11b is positioned on the rear side (vehicle rear side). The cross-sectional shape of the light-emitting surface 11a is a convex arc shape toward the front side (light irradiation direction; upward direction in Figure 2). The cross-sectional shape of the first reflective surface 11b is the optical axis AX of the first rod-shaped light guide 11A. 11A It is a straight line shape that intersects with the curve.

[0030] The first reflective surface 11b includes multiple optical elements LC1 configured to guide light through the first rod-shaped light guide portion 11A and incident on the first reflective surface 11b, causing it to undergo internal reflection (total internal reflection) and be emitted from the light-emitting surface 11a. Multiple optical elements LC1 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the first rod-shaped light guide portion 11A. The optical elements LC1 are, for example, lens cuts (for example, V-grooves).

[0031] The cross-sectional shape of the pair of second reflective surfaces 11c and 11d is a convex arc shape toward the inside of the first rod-shaped light guide 11A. The cross-sectional shape of the first rod-shaped light guide 11A is the reference axis (for example, the optical axis AX of the first rod-shaped light guide 11A) extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. 11A The two sides may be symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to each other.

[0032] Next, the second rod-shaped light guides 11B1 to 11B9 will be described. Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, these will be referred to as the second rod-shaped light guide 11B.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 and 13(a) to 13(c), the second rod-shaped light guide 11B is positioned between one first rod-shaped light guide 11A1 and the other first rod-shaped light guide 11A2, and is three-dimensionally curved, similar to the first rod-shaped light guide 11A.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the cross-sectional shape of the second rod-shaped light guide portion 11B (the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The same applies hereinafter) is a ginkgo biloba shape, similar to the first rod-shaped light guide portion 11A. However, unlike the first rod-shaped light guide portion 11A, the diameter D2 of the second rod-shaped light guide portion 11B is smaller than the diameter D1 of the first rod-shaped light guide portion 11A. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the second rod-shaped light guide portion 11B is not a complete ginkgo biloba shape, but a shape obtained by cutting both left and right sides of the ginkgo biloba shape. Specifically, the second rod-shaped light guide portion 11B includes a light exit surface 11e, a first reflecting surface 11f disposed on the opposite side of the light exit surface 11e, and a pair of second reflecting surfaces 11g and 11h disposed on both sides of the first reflecting surface 11f.

[0035] The light exit surface 11e is disposed on the front side (the front side of the vehicle), and the first reflecting surface 11f is disposed on the rear side (the rear side of the vehicle). The cross-sectional shape of the light exit surface 11e is a convex arc shape toward the front side (the light irradiation direction, the upward direction in FIG. 2). The cross-sectional shape of the first reflecting surface 11f is aligned with the optical axis AX of the second rod-shaped light guide portion 11B 11B a linear shape intersecting the. The width W1 (see FIG. 2) of the light exit surface 11e of the second rod-shaped light guide portion 11B may be substantially equal to the width W2 (see FIG. 2) of the first reflecting surface 11f disposed on the opposite side of the light exit surface 11e.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the first reflecting surface 11f includes a plurality of optical elements LC2 configured to internally reflect (totally reflect) light guided in the second rod-shaped light guide portion 11B and incident on the first reflecting surface 11f, so that the light exits from the light exit surface 11e. The plurality of optical elements LC2 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the second rod-shaped light guide portion 11B. The optical elements LC2 are, for example, lens cuts (e.g., V-grooves).

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the cross-sectional shape of the pair of second reflecting surfaces 11g and 11h is a convex arc shape toward the inside of the second rod-shaped light guide portion 11B. Note that the cross-sectional shape of the second rod-shaped light guide portion 11B is based on a reference axis extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle (e.g., the optical axis AX of the second rod-shaped light guide portion 11B 11B ) may be symmetric or asymmetric.

[0038] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the first rod-shaped light guides 11A1 and 11A2 and the second rod-shaped light guides 11B1 to 11B9 are arranged adjacent to each other along a straight line L1 that is inclined at an angle θ1 with respect to the left-right direction (vehicle width direction). For the sake of explanation, Figure 4 is a diagram in which the outer shapes of the second rod-shaped light guides 11B1 to 11B9 (a ginkgo leaf shape with both sides cut off) are drawn on the surface of Figure 2.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 and 13(a) to 13(c), the base end of the second rod-shaped light guide 11B1, which is positioned on one side of the first rod-shaped light guide 11A1, extends to the outer surface of the first rod-shaped light guide 11A1 and is connected to that surface. Similarly, the base ends of the second rod-shaped light guides 11B8 to 11B9, which are positioned on the other side of the first rod-shaped light guide 11A2, extend to the outer surface of the other first rod-shaped light guide 11A2 and are connected to that surface.

[0040] On the other hand, the base ends of the second rod-shaped light guides 11B2 to 11B7, other than the second rod-shaped light guides 11B1 and 11B8 to 11B9, extend to the point where they reach the first intermediate part A2 of the first rod-shaped light guide 11A (see Figure 1), forming a triangular region between them and the first intermediate part A2 (outer surface) of the first rod-shaped light guides 11A1 and 11A2.

[0041] A triangular plate portion 12 is provided in this triangular region (see Figure 1). The plate portion 12 is a triangular plate-shaped light guide portion that includes sides E1 connected to the base ends (end faces) of each of the second rod-shaped light guide portions 11B2 to 11B7, sides E2 connected to the first intermediate portion A2 (outer surface) of one of the first rod-shaped light guide portions 11A1, and sides E3 connected to the first intermediate portion A2 (outer surface) of the other first rod-shaped light guide portion 11A2.

[0042] Figure 5(a) shows the base end BE of the light guide 10. 11A1 , proximal BE 11A2Figure 5(b) is a close-up perspective view of the vicinity, and is a cross-sectional view of the CC of Figure 5(a). Figure 5(c) is an example of a connecting part that connects the flat plate part 12 and the second rod-shaped light guide part 11B, and Figure 5(d) is another example of a connecting part that connects the flat plate part 12 and the second rod-shaped light guide part 11B.

[0043] As shown in Figure 5(b), the thickness T1 of the flat plate portion 12 is smaller than the diameter D2 of the second rod-shaped light guide portion 11B. The flat plate portion 12 and the second rod-shaped light guide portion 11B may be directly connected, as shown in Figure 5(c), forming a stepped portion 13 between them, or they may be connected via a tapered portion 14, as shown in Figure 5(d).

[0044] As shown in Figure 2, adjacent second rod-shaped light guides 11B (for example, second rod-shaped light guide 11B1 and second rod-shaped light guide 11B2) are connected to each other via a plate-shaped light guide 15. The plate-shaped light guide 15 is a part that maintains the shape of the second rod-shaped light guides 11B1 to 11B9, that is, a so-called connecting part that does not have an optical function.

[0045] On the other hand, the second rod-shaped light guide section 11B1 adjacent to the first rod-shaped light guide section 11A1 is directly connected to the first rod-shaped light guide section 11A1 without the need for a plate-shaped light guide section 15 (see Figure 2). Similarly, the second rod-shaped light guide section 11B9 adjacent to the other first rod-shaped light guide section 11A2 is directly connected to the other first rod-shaped light guide section 11A2 without the need for a plate-shaped light guide section 15 (see Figure 2).

[0046] Light sources 20A and 20B are semiconductor light-emitting elements such as LEDs, and as shown in Figure 1, their light-emitting surface (for example, a rectangular light-emitting surface of 1 mm square) is at the base end BE of the first rod-shaped light guide 11A. 11A1 , BE 11A2 It is positioned facing the end face of the side. Hereafter, unless otherwise specified, both will be referred to as light source 20. Note that there may be only one light source.

[0047] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the optical path of light from the light source 20.

[0048] In the above configuration of the light guide 10, the base end BE 11A1 , BE 11A2 Light from the light source 20 that enters the first rod-shaped light guide section 11A from the end face is guided through the first rod-shaped light guide section 11A toward the tip end while repeatedly undergoing internal reflection (total internal reflection) within the first rod-shaped light guide section 11A (see arrow in Figure 6). At this time, the light from the light source 20 that enters the first reflective surface 11b (optical element LC1) as it is guided through the first rod-shaped light guide section 11A is internally reflected by the first reflective surface 11b (optical element LC1) and emitted from the light-emitting surface 11a. Mainly, the light emitted from this light-emitting surface 11a forms the light distribution pattern for the vehicle lamp. In addition, the light emitted from this light-emitting surface 11a causes the first rod-shaped light guide section 11A to emit light.

[0049] At that time, a portion of the light from the light source 20 guided through the first rod-shaped light guide section 11A enters the second rod-shaped light guide section 11B via the flat plate section 12. In addition, another portion of the light from the light source 20 guided through the first rod-shaped light guide section 11A enters the second rod-shaped light guide section 11B via the connecting section between the first rod-shaped light guide section 11A (outer surface) and the second rod-shaped light guide section 11B (outer surface).

[0050] In this way, the light from the light source 20 that enters the second rod-shaped light guide section 11B is guided through the second rod-shaped light guide section 11B toward the tip end while repeatedly undergoing internal reflection (total internal reflection) within the second rod-shaped light guide section 11B (see arrow in Figure 6). At that time, the light from the light source 20 that is guided through the second rod-shaped light guide section 11B and incident on the first reflective surface 11f (optical element LC2) is internally reflected by the first reflective surface 11f (optical element LC2) and emitted from the light-emitting surface 11e. The second rod-shaped light guide section 11B emits light due to the light emitted from this light-emitting surface 11e.

[0051] In this case, as shown in Figure 1, the second rod-shaped light guides 11B1 to 11B9 are arranged in parallel adjacent to each other, so the second rod-shaped light guide 11B emits light from a surface (it appears to emit light from a surface). Also, since the diameter D2 of the second rod-shaped light guide 11B is smaller than the diameter D1 of the first rod-shaped light guide 11A (see Figure 2), the dark areas between adjacent second rod-shaped light guides 11B (for example, between the second rod-shaped light guide 11B1 and the second rod-shaped light guide 11B2) become less noticeable.

[0052] Next, the effects of the light guide 10 described above will be explained in comparison with the comparative example.

[0053] Figure 7(a) shows a schematic diagram of the light guide 100 of a comparative example, and Figure 7(b) shows a schematic diagram of the light guide 10 of this embodiment.

[0054] As shown in Figure 7(a), the comparative example light guide 100 includes two rod-shaped light guides 110A and 110B arranged in parallel with a gap between them, and a plate-shaped light guide 120 that connects the opposing sides (outer circumferential surfaces) of the two rod-shaped light guides 110A and 110B.

[0055] In the comparative example light guide 100, light from a light source (see arrow in Figure 7(a)) that enters the plate-shaped light guide 120 via the connecting portion between the rod-shaped light guides 110A and 110B (outer surface) and the plate-shaped light guide 120 undergoes repeated internal reflection (total internal reflection) in one direction within the plate-shaped light guide 120. In this case, the direction of light emitted from the plate-shaped light guide 120 is biased depending on the location. As a result, it is difficult to achieve a uniform appearance of light emission.

[0056] In contrast, as shown in Figure 7(b), in the light guide 10 of this embodiment, a plurality of second rod-shaped light guides 11B (11B1 to 11B9) are arranged in parallel between one first rod-shaped light guide 11A1 and the other first rod-shaped light guide 11A2. As a result, light from a light source (see arrow in Figure 7(b)) that enters the second rod-shaped light guides 11B1 to 11B9 via the connecting portion between the first rod-shaped light guides 11A1 and 11A2 (outer surface) and the second rod-shaped light guide 11B undergoes repeated internal reflection (total internal reflection) in the up, down, left, and right directions within the second rod-shaped light guides 11B1 to 11B9, rather than in one direction. In this case, light from various directions is uniformly (generally uniformly) present in various locations within the second rod-shaped light guides 11B1 to 11B9. As a result, the direction of light emitted from the second rod-shaped light guides 11B1 to 11B9 is uniform (generally uniform) without bias depending on the location. Consequently, a uniform (generally uniform) appearance of light emission can be achieved.

[0057] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a light guide 10 in which the dark areas between adjacent rod-shaped light guides 11B (for example, between the second rod-shaped light guide 11B1 and the second rod-shaped light guide 11B2) are less noticeable, and a vehicle light fixture (vehicle signal light fixture) using this light guide 10.

[0058] This is because the diameter D2 of the second rod-shaped light guide 11B is smaller than the diameter D1 of the first rod-shaped light guide 11A (see Figure 2), resulting in a narrower spacing of dark areas, which makes it less likely for the human eye to perceive unevenness (dark areas).

[0059] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a uniform (generally uniform) appearance of light emission can be achieved.

[0060] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the efficiency of the light emitted from the light-emitting surface 11e of the second rod-shaped light guide 11B. In other words, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a light guide 10 in which the dark areas between adjacent rod-shaped light guides 11B (for example, between the second rod-shaped light guide 11B1 and the second rod-shaped light guide 11B2) are less noticeable, while suppressing a decrease in the efficiency of the light emitted from the light-emitting surface 11e of the second rod-shaped light guide 11B, and a vehicle light fixture (vehicle signal light fixture) using this light guide 10.

[0061] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the first rod-shaped light guide 11A emits light when light from the light source 20 guided through the first rod-shaped light guide 11A is incident on the first reflective surface 11b (optical element LC1), is internally reflected by the first reflective surface 11b (optical element LC1), and emits light from the light-emitting surface 11a. Similarly, the second rod-shaped light guide 11B emits light when light from the light source 20 guided through the second rod-shaped light guide 11B is incident on the first reflective surface 11f (optical element LC2), is internally reflected by the first reflective surface 11f (optical element LC2), and emits light from the light-emitting surface 11e. In this case, the light emitted from the light-emitting surface 11a of the first rod-shaped light guide 11A is brighter than the light emitted from the light-emitting surface 11e of the second rod-shaped light guide 11B. Therefore, a novel luminescence appearance can be achieved in which the area surrounded by the first rod-shaped light guide 11A (the area where the second rod-shaped light guide 11B is located) is relatively dark, and the area corresponding to the first rod-shaped light guide 11A is relatively brightly outlined.

[0062] Next, I will explain some variations.

[0063] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which a rod-shaped light guide 11 had a ginkgo leaf-shaped cross-section (see Figure 2), but the invention is not limited to this.

[0064] For example, as shown in Figure 8, a rod-shaped light guide 11 with a common circular cross-sectional shape may be used. Figure 8 shows a modified example of the rod-shaped light guide 11.

[0065] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the rod-shaped light guides 11A1, 11A2, 11B1 to 11B9 are arranged adjacent to each other along a straight line L1 that is inclined at an angle θ1 with respect to the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) (see Figure 2), but the invention is not limited to this.

[0066] For example, as shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b), the rod-shaped light guides 11A1, 11A2, and 11B1-11B9 may be arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction). In this case, the adjacent rod-shaped light guides 11A1, 11A2, and 11B1-11B9 may be directly connected without the plate-shaped light guide 15 (see Figures 9(a) and 9(b)). In other words, the plate-shaped light guide 15 may be omitted. Figures 9(a) and 9(b) show modified examples of the rod-shaped light guides 11A1, 11A2, and 11B1-11B9.

[0067] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes an example in which the cross-sectional shape of all the rod-shaped light guides 11 is ginkgo leaf-shaped (see Figure 2), the embodiment is not limited to this.

[0068] For example, as shown in Figure 9(c), some of the cross-sectional shapes of the rod-shaped light guide 11 may be ginkgo leaf-shaped, while other parts may have a general circular shape. Figure 9(c) shows modified examples of the rod-shaped light guide 11A1, 11A2, 11B1 to 11B9.

[0069] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes an example in which the rod-shaped light guide portion 11 is curved in three dimensions, it is not limited to this. The rod-shaped light guide portion 11 may extend in a straight line.

[0070] The diffusion angle of light emitted from the light-emitting surface 11a of the first rod-shaped light guide 11A (mainly the horizontal diffusion angle) and the diffusion angle of light emitted from the light-emitting surface 11e of the second rod-shaped light guide 11B (mainly the horizontal diffusion angle) may be the same or different.

[0071] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the base end BE of one of the first rod-shaped light guides 11A1 11A1 and the base end BE of the other first rod-shaped light guide part 11A2 11A2We have described an example where the elements are arranged adjacent to each other (see Figure 1), but this is not the only example.

[0072] For example, as shown in Figure 10, one base end BE 11A3 A base end BE is provided, 11A3 One first rod-shaped light guide section 11A1 and the other first rod-shaped light guide section 11A2 may branch off from the first rod-shaped light guide section 11A1 and extend in the same manner as in the above embodiment. In this way, one of the two light sources 20A and 20B can be omitted. Figure 10 shows a modified example of the first rod-shaped light guide section 11A1 and the other first rod-shaped light guide section 11A2.

[0073] The numerical values ​​shown in each of the embodiments described above are all examples, and it goes without saying that other appropriate numerical values ​​can be used.

[0074] The embodiments described above are in all respects merely illustrative. The descriptions of the embodiments above should not be construed as limiting the disclosure. The disclosure can be implemented in a variety of other ways without departing from its spirit or main features. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] 10…Light guide 11...Rod-shaped light guide part 11A (11A1, 11A2)...First rod-shaped light guide part 11B(11B1~11B9)...Second rod-shaped light guide part 11a…Idemitsu surface 11b...first reflective surface 11c, 11d...Second reflective surface 11e…Idemitsu surface 11f...1st reflective surface 11g, 11h...Second reflective surface 12...Flat plate part 13…Step section 14...Tapered section 15…Plate-shaped light guide section 20(20A, 20B)…Light source A2…1st intermediate part A3…Second middle part A4...Third Intermediate Section AX…Reference axis AX 11A AX 11B …optical axis BE 11A1 , BE 11A2 , BE 11A3 ...Proximal end E1, E2, E3... sides LC1, LC2…Optical elements P0...perspective T1...Thickness θ0, θ1...angle

Claims

1. A light guide that guides light from a light source, It includes multiple rod-shaped light guides arranged in parallel with each other, If a pair of rod-shaped light guides arranged on both sides in the arrangement direction from among the plurality of rod-shaped light guides is designated as the first rod-shaped light guide, and a rod-shaped light guide arranged between the pair of first rod-shaped light guides is designated as the second rod-shaped light guide, then the diameter of the second rod-shaped light guide is smaller than the diameter of the first rod-shaped light guide. A light guide body having a flat plate portion between the end face on the base end side of the second rod-shaped light guide portion and the outer peripheral surface on the base end side of the first rod-shaped light guide portion.

2. The light guide according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of the second rod-shaped light guide portions.

3. The light guide according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of the second rod-shaped light guide portions are arranged in parallel in an adjacent state to one another.

4. The light guide according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the flat plate portion is smaller than the diameter of the second rod-shaped light guide portion and is connected to the second rod-shaped light guide portion.

5. The light guide according to claim 1, wherein the width of the light-emitting surface of the second rod-shaped light guide portion is approximately equal to the width of the reflective surface located on the opposite side of the light-emitting surface.

6. The light guide according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of rod-shaped light guide portions are curved in three dimensions.

7. The light emitted from the light-emitting surface of the first rod-shaped light guide is brighter than the light emitted from the light-emitting surface of the second rod-shaped light guide. The light guide according to claim 3, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the second rod-shaped light guide portion includes a light-emitting surface that is convex in the direction of light irradiation, a first reflective surface arranged on the opposite side of the light-emitting surface, and a pair of second reflective surfaces arranged on both sides of the first reflective surface.

8. A vehicle lighting device comprising a light guide and a light source according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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