Vehicle lighting

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting fixture having excellent designability.SOLUTION: In a vehicular lighting fixture according to the present invention, end portions 221U and 221D (end light emitting portions) and intermediate portions 222U and 222D (intermediate light emitting portions) of light guide bars 220U and 220D (light emitting parts) are integrally constituted. Thereby, because the end portions 221U and 221D (end light emitting portions) and the intermediate portions 222U and 222D (intermediate light emitting portions) of the light guide bars 220U and 220D (light emitting parts) arranged in a left-right direction in a space continuously emit light, the vehicular lighting fixture according to the present invention has excellent designability in comparison with discontinuous light emission.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp. [Background Art]

[0002] As a vehicular lamp that integrates a plurality of lamp units and has a plurality of lamp functions, there are those disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3.

[0003] The vehicular optical device of Patent Document 1 integrates a headlamp (headlight, HL) mounted on a front portion of a vehicle, a daytime running light (DRL), and an information display lamp. The vehicular lamp of Patent Document 2 integrates a plurality of vehicular lamps mounted on a rear portion of a vehicle. The vehicular lamp of Patent Document 3 integrates a plurality of vehicular lamps mounted on a front portion of a vehicle. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-59445 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. WO 2019 / 155832 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. WO 2021 / 168406 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] For such vehicular lamps, there is a demand for vehicular lamps excellent in design.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular lamp excellent in design. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0007] To solve the aforementioned problems, this invention comprises a lamp housing and lamp lens that form a space extending across both ends of the vehicle in the left-right direction; first lamp units arranged at both ends within the space and emitting light distribution of a first lamp function to the outside from the lamp lens; and second lamp units arranged within the space and emitting light distribution of a second lamp function to the outside from the lamp lens. The second lamp unit comprises a second light source section arranged at both ends within the space; and a light-emitting section arranged across both ends within the space and emitting light from the second light source section to form the light distribution of the second lamp function. The light-emitting section comprises end light-emitting sections that surround at least a portion of the left and right first lamp units, and an intermediate light-emitting section arranged in the left-right direction between the left and right end light-emitting sections and provided integrally with the left and right end light-emitting sections.

[0008] In the vehicle lamp of this invention, the light-emitting portion is preferably composed of a light guide member, and the light guide member comprises an incident portion, respectively, located at both ends in the space; an end portion, integrally provided with the left and right incident portions, which comprises the left and right end light-emitting portions; an intermediate portion, located in the left-right direction between the left and right end portions and integrally provided with the left and right end portions, which comprises the intermediate light-emitting portions; an incident surface, respectively, provided in the left and right incident portions, which allows light from the left and right second light sources to be incident; a reflective surface, provided in the left and right end portions and the intermediate portion, which reflects the incident light; and an exit surface, provided in the left and right end portions and the intermediate portion, which emits the reflected light toward the lamp lens.

[0009] In the vehicle lighting device of this invention, it is preferable that the left and right end portions of the light guide member form a circular shape surrounding the first lamp unit when viewed from the lamp lens side, and the intermediate portion of the light guide member form a straight shape when viewed from the lamp lens side.

[0010] In the vehicle lamp of this invention, the light-emitting portion is preferably composed of the light guide member and an inner lens disposed between the lamp lens and the light guide member, which receives light emitted from the emission surface of the light guide member, diffuses it toward the lamp lens, and emits it, wherein the inner lens has lens end portions that face the left and right end portions of the light guide member, respectively, and an intermediate lens portion that faces the intermediate portion of the light guide member, is disposed in the left-right direction between the left and right lens end portions, and is provided integrally with the left and right lens end portions, which is the intermediate light-emitting portion.

[0011] In the vehicle lamp of this invention, it is preferable that the left and right end portions of the light guide member and the left and right lens end portions of the inner lens form a circle surrounding the first lamp unit when viewed from the lamp lens side, and the intermediate portion of the light guide member and the intermediate portion of the inner lens form a straight line when viewed from the lamp lens side.

[0012] In the vehicle lighting device of this invention, the light guide member is composed of two light guide rods, the longitudinal direction of the two light guide rods coincides with the left-right direction, and each of the two light guide rods has an incident portion, an end portion, an intermediate portion, an incident surface, a reflective surface, a connecting surface, and an exit surface of the light guide member, and preferably the end portions of the two light guide rods are semicircles obtained by dividing the circular end portion of the light guide member into two with the left-right direction as the boundary, and the intermediate portions of the two light guide rods are arranged to overlap or side by side and have a linear shape.

[0013] In the vehicle lighting device of this invention, it is preferable that a light guide body is provided at the branching point of the end portions of the two light guide rods, the light guide body is triangular when viewed from the lamp lens side, and has two incident surfaces corresponding to the two sides of the triangle and facing the branching point, which allow leaked light from the branching point to be incident, a reflective surface that reflects the incident leaked light, and an exit surface that emits the reflected leaked light in the same direction as the direction of light emission from the exit surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The vehicle lighting fixture of this invention has excellent design. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of the vehicle lighting device according to this invention when it is not illuminated. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a front view showing the position lamps illuminated. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a front view showing the position lamps and headlights illuminated. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the main components. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view (the cross-sectional view along line VV in Figure 1) showing the main components. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view along line VI-VI in Figure 1) showing the main components. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the main components (cross-sectional view along line VII-VII in Figure 1). [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a partially enlarged front view showing the position lamps illuminated (an enlarged front view of section VIII in Figure 4). [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view along line IX-IX in Figure 8) showing the position lamps illuminated. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment (working example) of the vehicular lamp according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited by this embodiment. In addition, constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily replaced by a person skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0017] In this specification and the appended claims, front, rear, upper, lower, left, and right refer to front, rear, upper, lower, left, and right when the vehicular lamp 1 according to the present invention is mounted on a vehicle 10. In addition, the directions of front-rear, up-down, and left-right are directions when the vehicular lamp 1 is mounted on the vehicle 10, and indicate directions when viewed from the driver's seat toward the traveling direction of the vehicle. The up-down direction is parallel to the vertical direction, and the left-right direction is the horizontal direction. In the front direction and the rear direction, the direction in which light is emitted from the vehicular lamp 1 is defined as the front direction, and the direction opposite to the front direction is defined as the rear direction.

[0018] The drawings are schematic diagrams showing the vehicular lamp 1 according to the present invention, so only the main components of the vehicular lamp 1 according to the present invention are illustrated, and the illustration of components other than the main components is omitted. In addition, part of the hatching is omitted.

[0019] (Description of Configuration of Embodiment) Hereinafter, the configuration of the vehicular lamp 1 according to this embodiment will be described. In FIG. 4, the illustration of the lamp housing 2 is omitted.

[0020] (Description of Vehicular Lamp 1) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vehicular lamp 1 according to this embodiment is installed across the left and right of the grille portion 11 on the front surface of the vehicle 10. Therefore, in this embodiment, the front direction is the forward direction (front of the vehicle), the rear direction is the rearward direction (rear of the vehicle), and the left-right direction is the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle, a gasoline vehicle, or other types of automobiles.

[0021] Vehicle lighting fixture 1 is a so-called integrated front lamp unit (UFL) that integrates multiple lamp units to have multiple lamp functions. The plan view shape of vehicle lighting fixture 1 matches the plan view shape of the grille portion 11 on the front of the vehicle 10, and as shown in Figure 5, it is slanted from front to rear, starting from the center in the width direction of the vehicle and moving outwards to the left and right.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, the vehicle lighting device 1 comprises a lamp housing 2, an outer lens 3 as a lamp lens, an inner lens 4 as a light-emitting part, two first lamp units 100, one second lamp unit 200, and other lamp units (not shown). Other lamp units include daytime running lamps and turn signal lamps.

[0023] The lamp housing 2 is constructed by injection molding from a light-opaque material, such as polypropylene (PP), ABS, or ASA resin material. The outer lens 3 is constructed by injection molding from a light-transmitting material, such as polycarbonate or acrylic resin material. The outer lens 3 may be a simple, unobstructed lens, or it may be equipped with optical elements such as a prism.

[0024] The lamp housing 2 and the outer lens 3 are fixed to each other, and a space (lighting space, lamp chamber) 5 is formed inside the lamp housing 2 and the outer lens 3, extending from both the left and right ends of the vehicle 10. In other words, the front view shape of the lamp housing 2 and the outer lens 3 is elongated, extending from both the left and right ends of the grille portion 11 on the front of the vehicle 10.

[0025] The outer lens 3 is positioned on the front side relative to the lamp housing 2. The outer lens 3 has end portions 30 at both ends in the left-right direction, and an intermediate portion 31 that is provided integrally with the two end portions 30 between them. The vertical width of the two end portions 30 is wider than the vertical width of the intermediate portion 31.

[0026] Within space 5, an inner lens 4, two first lamp units 100, one second lamp unit 200, and other lamp units are arranged. These inner lens 4, two first lamp units 100, one second lamp unit 200, and other lamp units are attached to the lamp housing 2 either via mounting members 6 such as brackets or directly.

[0027] (Description of the first lamp unit 100) In this example, the first lamp unit 100 is a headlamp, and the light distribution of the first lamp function, that is, the light distribution of the headlamp function, is transmitted through the inner lens 4 and emitted to the outside from the outer lens 3. The light distribution of the headlamp function is, for example, a variable-beam high beam.

[0028] The first lamp units 100 are positioned at both ends of the space 5 in the left-right direction. The first lamp unit 100 includes a first light source (not shown), a lens member 101, and a housing member 102.

[0029] The lens member 101 and the housing member 102 are fixed to each other, and a lamp chamber (not shown) is formed inside the lens member 101 and the housing member 102. A first light source unit is arranged inside the lamp chamber. The first light source unit has a substrate and a plurality of LEDs mounted on the substrate. The plurality of LEDs turn on and off based on signals from a control unit (not shown).

[0030] The lens member 101 directs light (not shown) from the first light source towards the inner lens 4 and the outer lens 3. The light from the first light source passes through the lens member 101, the inner lens 4, and the outer lens 3 and is emitted to the outside as a high beam with variable light distribution.

[0031] (Description of the second lamp unit 200) In this example, the second lamp unit 200 is an indicator lamp (position lamp, clearance lamp), and the light distribution of the second lamp function, that is, the light distribution of the indicator lamp function, is transmitted through the inner lens 4 and emitted to the outside from the outer lens 3.

[0032] The second lamp unit 200 is located within space 5. The second lamp unit 200 includes two second light source sections 210, light guide members (220U, 220D) as light-emitting sections, and four light guides 230.

[0033] (Explanation of the second light source unit 210) The second light source units 210 are located at both ends in the left-right direction within the space 5. In this example, the second light source units 210 are located on the outside and rear side of the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10 relative to the first lamp unit 100. The second light source unit 210 includes a substrate 211 and an LED 212.

[0034] The circuit board 211 is attached to the lamp housing 2 either directly or via a mounting member 6. The LEDs 212 are mounted on the top and bottom of the circuit board 211, respectively, and are connected to a power supply (not shown) via a control circuit (not shown).

[0035] (Description of light guide members (220U, 200D)) In this example, the light guide members (220U, 200D) consist of two light guide rods 220U and 220D (hereinafter, the phrase "two rods" may be omitted, and they will simply be referred to as "light guide rods 220U, 220D") arranged vertically side by side. The longitudinal direction of the light guide rods 220U and 220D coincides with the left-right direction. The light guide rods 220U and 220D have a round bar shape with a circular cross-section (see Figures 6 and 7). In Figure 9, however, since it is a cross-sectional view of the curved portion of the light guide rods 220U and 220D (see Figure 8), it has an elongated oval cross-section that is long vertically. The light guide rods 220U and 220D are manufactured by injection molding from a light-transmitting material, such as a resin material like polycarbonate or acrylic.

[0036] The light guide rods 220U and 220D were arranged in the left-right direction, straddling the left and right second light source units 210. That is, the light guide rods 220U and 220D, as light-emitting units, were arranged across both the left and right ends of the space 5. The light guide rods 220U and 220D each have an end portion 221U and 221D as the end light-emitting portion of the light-emitting unit, an intermediate portion 222U and 222D as the intermediate light-emitting portion of the light-emitting unit, an incident portion 223U and 223D, an incident surface 224, a reflective surface 225, a connecting surface 226, and an exit surface 227.

[0037] The plan view shapes of the light guide rods 220U and 220D follow the plan view shape of the vehicle lamp 1, and as shown in Figure 5, they are slanted from front to back as you move from the center in the vehicle width direction outwards to the left and right. As a result, the incident portions 223U and 223D and the end portions 221U and 221D, which correspond to the left and right ends of the light guide rods 220U and 220D, are slanted and curve around from front to back as you move from the center in the vehicle width direction outwards to the left and right.

[0038] The incident portions 223U and 223D are provided at both the left and right ends of the light guide rods 220U and 220D. The incident portions 223U and 223D are positioned at both the left and right ends of the space 5, respectively, and face the upper and lower LEDs 212 of the left and right second light source units 210.

[0039] The end portions 221U and 221D are provided integrally with the incident portions 223U and 223D. When viewed from the outer lens 3 side, the end portions 221U and 221D form a circle surrounding the first lamp unit 100. That is, the end portion 221U of the upper light guide rod 220U forms a semicircle surrounding the upper half of the first lamp unit 100. The end portion 221D of the lower light guide rod 220D forms a semicircle surrounding the lower half of the first lamp unit 100.

[0040] The intermediate sections 222U and 222D are positioned horizontally between the left and right end sections 221U and 221D, and are integrally provided with the end sections 221U and 221D. The intermediate sections 222U and 222D are positioned vertically, overlapping or side by side, forming a linear shape. That is, the intermediate section 222U of the upper light guide rod 220U is positioned linearly horizontally between the left and right end sections 221U of the upper light guide rod 220U, forming a linear shape. The intermediate section 222D of the lower light guide rod 220D is positioned linearly horizontally between the left and right end sections 221D of the lower light guide rod 220D, forming a linear shape.

[0041] The incident surfaces 224 are provided on the end faces (a total of four end faces, top, bottom, left, and right) of the left and right incident portions 223U and 223D. The incident surfaces 224 face the upper and lower LEDs 212 of the left and right second light source units 210, respectively. The incident surfaces 224 cause the light L from the LEDs 212 to enter the interior of the light guide rods 220U and 220D.

[0042] The reflective surfaces 225 are provided on the back sides of the end portions 221U, 221D and the intermediate portions 222U, 222D. The reflective surfaces 225 reflect the incident light L towards the exit surface 227. The reflective surfaces 225 are composed of multiple prism reflective surfaces 225. One prism is formed from one reflective surface 225 and one connecting surface 226. In some cases, one prism may be formed from one reflective surface 225, one connecting surface 226, and one stepped surface.

[0043] The emission surface 227 is provided on the front side of the end portions 221U, 221D and the intermediate portions 222U, 222D. The emission surface 227 consists of a curved surface that is part of the cylindrical surface. The emission surface 227 emits the reflected light L as diffused light toward the inner lens 4. The emission surface 227 may have fine irregularities.

[0044] (Explanation of light guide 230) As shown in Figures 4, 8, and 9, the light guides 230 are positioned at the branching points 228U and 228D (four branching points 228U and 228D) of the end portions 221U and 221D of the upper and lower light guide rods 220U and 220D, respectively. The branching points 228U and 228D of the light guide rods 220U and 220D are curved in a gentle arc shape, that is, a gentle curve (a curve with a large radius of curvature). This is because if a sharp curve (a curve with a small radius of curvature) were used to bend the light guide direction of the light guide rods 220U and 220D, light from inside the light guide rods 220U and 220D may escape to the outside and be lost. Therefore, the gentle curve is used to suppress the loss of light from inside the light guide rods 220U and 220D. Here, if the branching points 228U and 228D of the light guide rods 220U and 220D are curved into a gentle arc shape, a triangular gap is created at the branching points 228U and 228D of the light guide rods 220U and 220D when viewed from the outer lens 3 side. This gap may be a non-emitting area. For this reason, the light guide body 230 is placed in the triangular gap at the branching points 228U and 228D of the light guide rods 220U and 220D.

[0045] The light guide 230, like the light guide rods 220U and 220D, is constructed by injection molding from a light-transmitting material, such as a resin material like polycarbonate or acrylic. The light guide 230 is triangular when viewed from the outer lens 3 side. The light guide 230 has five faces: a triangular front, a triangular back, and three elongated rectangular sides corresponding to the three sides of the triangle. The light guide 230 has two incident surfaces 231, a reflective surface 232, a connecting surface 233, and an exit surface 234.

[0046] The two incident surfaces 231 are located on two of the three sides. The two incident surfaces 231 correspond to two sides of a triangle and face the branching points 228U and 228D. The incident surfaces 231 cause the leaked light L1 from the branching points 228U and 228D to enter the interior of the light guide 230.

[0047] The reflective surface 232 and the connecting surface 233 are located on the back of the triangle. The reflective surface 232 reflects the incident stray light L1 towards the exit surface 234. The reflective surface 232 and the connecting surface 233 are composed of the reflective surfaces 232 and connecting surfaces 233 of multiple prisms. One prism is formed from one reflective surface 232 and one connecting surface 233. In some cases, one prism may be formed from one reflective surface 232, one connecting surface 233, and one stepped surface.

[0048] The emission surface 234 is located on the front of the triangle. The emission surface 234 causes the reflected leaked light L1 to be emitted in the same direction as the light L emitted from the emission surfaces 227 of the light guide rods 220U and 220D. The emission surface 234 may be curved, or have fine irregularities, similar to the emission surfaces 227 of the light guide rods 220U and 220D, so that the reflected leaked light L1 is emitted as diffused light towards the inner lens 4.

[0049] (Inner lens 4 explanation) The inner lens 4 is constructed by injection molding from a light-transmitting material, such as a resin material like polycarbonate or acrylic. The inner lens 4 is positioned between the outer lens 3 and the light guide rods 220U, 220D and the light guide body 230. The inner lens 4 receives light L from the exit surfaces 227 of the light guide rods 220U and 220D, and leaked light L1 from the exit surface 234 of the light guide body 230, on its back surface, and diffuses and emits the light from the front towards the outer lens 3. The front surface of the inner lens 4 is curved or has fine irregularities, so that the light L and leaked light L1 are emitted as diffused light.

[0050] The inner lens 4 has left and right lens end portions 40 as end light-emitting portions and an intermediate lens portion 41 as an intermediate light-emitting portion. The plan view shape of the inner lens 4 follows the plan view shapes of the light guide rods 220U and 220D and the vehicle lamp 1, and as shown in Figure 5, it is slanted from front to back as you move from the center in the vehicle width direction outwards to the left and right. As a result, the lens end portions 40 corresponding to the left and right end portions of the inner lens 4 are slanted and curve around from front to back as you move from the center in the vehicle width direction outwards to the left and right.

[0051] The lens end portion 40 faces the end portions 221U and 221D of the light guide rods 220U and 220D. The lens end portion 40, like the end portions 221U and 221D of the light guide rods 220U and 220D, forms a circle that surrounds the first lamp unit 100 when viewed from the outer lens 3 side.

[0052] The intermediate lens portion 41 faces the intermediate portions 222U and 222D of the light guide rods 220U and 220D. The intermediate lens portion 41 is positioned horizontally between the left and right lens end portions 40 and is integrally provided with the lens end portions 40. The intermediate lens portion 41, like the intermediate portions 222U and 222D of the light guide rods 220U and 220D, has a straight shape when viewed from the outer lens 3 side.

[0053] (Description of the operation of the embodiment) The vehicle lighting device 1 according to this embodiment has the configuration described above, and its operation will be explained below.

[0054] When the first light source of the first lamp unit 100 and the second light source 210 of the second lamp unit 200 are turned off, neither the first lamp unit 100 nor the second lamp unit 200 emits light, as shown in Figure 1.

[0055] The second light source section 210 of the second lamp unit 200 is turned on. Then, as shown in Figure 2, the second lamp unit 200 emits light (see the diagonal grid pattern in Figures 2 and 3). That is, the light L from the LED 212 enters the interior of the light guide rods 220U and 220D from the incident surface 224 of the light guide rods 220U and 220D. The incident light L travels through the interior of the light guide rods 220U and 220D due to the light guiding action of the light guide rods 220U and 220D, and is reflected by the reflective surface 225 towards the exit surface 227. The reflected light L is emitted from the exit surface 227 towards the inner lens 4.

[0056] Here, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, a portion of the light L traveling inside the light guide rods 220U and 220D is emitted to the outside as leaked light L1 from the branching points 228U and 228D of the light guide rods 220U and 220D. The leaked light L1 is incident on the light guide body 230 from the incident surface 231. The incident leaked light L1 travels inside the light guide body 230 due to the light guiding action of the light guide body 230, and is reflected by the reflective surface 232 towards the emission surface 234. The reflected leaked light L1 is emitted from the emission surface 234 towards the inner lens 4.

[0057] Light L emitted from the exit surfaces 227 of the end portions 221U, 221D and intermediate portions 222U, 222D of the light guide rods 220U, 220D, and leaked light L1 emitted from the exit surface 234 of the light guide body 230, passes through the lens end portion 40 and the lens intermediate portion 41 of the inner lens 4, and also passes through the outer lens 3 to the outside as part of the light distribution for the indicator light function.

[0058] As a result, the end portions 221U, 221D and intermediate portions 222U, 222D of the light guide rods 220U, 220D, and the lens end portion 40 and lens intermediate portion 41 of the inner lens 4 emit light as the end light-emitting portion and intermediate light-emitting portion of the light-emitting unit.

[0059] The first light source of the first lamp unit 100 is turned on simultaneously with the second light source 210. Then, as shown in Figure 3, the first lamp unit 100 and the second lamp unit 200 emit light (see the blacked-out area in Figure 3). That is, the light from the first light source, as a variable-beam high beam, passes through the lens member 101 of the first lamp unit 100, through the circular internal spaces of the end portions 221U and 221D of the light guide rods 220U and 220D, and through the circular internal space of the lens end portion 40 of the inner lens 4, and then passes through the outer lens 3 before being emitted to the outside.

[0060] (Description of the effects of the embodiment) The vehicle lighting device 1 according to this embodiment has the configuration and operation described above, and its effects will be explained below.

[0061] The vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment integrates a first lamp unit 100 and a second lamp unit 200 within a space 5 extending in the left-right direction. In the second lamp unit 200, the end portions 221U and 221D (end light-emitting portions) and the intermediate portions 222U and 222D (intermediate light-emitting portions) of the light guide rods 220U and 220D (light-emitting portions) are integrally formed. As a result, the vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment emits light continuously from the end portions 221U and 221D (end light-emitting portions) and the intermediate portions 222U and 222D (intermediate light-emitting portions) of the light guide rods 220U and 220D (light-emitting portions) arranged in the left-right direction within the space 5, resulting in a superior design compared to discontinuous illumination.

[0062] In this embodiment, the vehicle lamp 1 has an inner lens 4 positioned between the light guide rods 220U and 220D and the outer lens 3, with the end portions 221U and 221D and the intermediate portions 222U and 222D of the light guide rods 220U and 220D facing the lens end portion 40 (end light-emitting portion) and the lens intermediate portion 41 (intermediate light-emitting portion) of the inner lens 4 (light-emitting portion). As a result, in this embodiment, the vehicle lamp 1 diffuses the light L emitted from the emission surfaces 227 of the end portions 221U and 221D and the intermediate portions 222U and 222D of the light guide rods 220U and 220D at the lens end portion 40 (end light-emitting portion) and the lens intermediate portion 41 (intermediate light-emitting portion) of the inner lens 4 (light-emitting portion). Therefore, the light emitted from the end light-emitting portion and the intermediate light-emitting portion of the light-emitting portion is diffused, improving the design of the light-emitting portion.

[0063] In the vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment, the end portions 221U and 221D of the light guide rods 220U and 220D and the lens end portion 40 of the inner lens 4 form a circular shape surrounding the first lamp unit 100 when viewed from the outer lens 3 side, while the intermediate portions 222U and 222D of the light guide rods 220U and 220D and the intermediate lens portion 41 of the inner lens 4 form a straight shape when viewed from the outer lens 3 side. In this way, the vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment can further improve its design by combining a circular end light-emitting portion with a straight intermediate light-emitting portion.

[0064] In this embodiment, the vehicle lamp 1 has a light guide member (220U, 220D) composed of two light guide rods 220U, 220D. Therefore, the semicircular end portions 221U, 221D can accurately and easily form a circle surrounding the first lamp unit 100, and by overlapping or arranging the intermediate portions 222U, 222D side by side, a linear shape can be accurately and easily formed. As a result, in this embodiment, the vehicle lamp 1 can accurately and easily form the circular end light-emitting portion and the linear intermediate light-emitting portion of the light-emitting part, further improving the design of the light-emitting part.

[0065] In this embodiment, the vehicle light fixture 1 has light guides 230 placed at the branching points 228U and 228D of the end portions 221U and 221D of the two light guide rods 220U and 220D. Therefore, the leaked light L1 that leaks from the branching points 228U and 228D can be directed towards the outer lens 3 by the light guides 230 and reused. As a result, the vehicle light fixture 1 in this embodiment can improve the luminous efficiency of the light-emitting part, thereby further improving the design of the light-emitting part. Moreover, in this embodiment, the vehicle light fixture 1, by using the light guides 230 placed in the gap between the branching points 228U and 228D of the two light guide rods 220U and 220D, can make the non-emitting part of the gap into a light-emitting part. Therefore, the circular end light-emitting part and the linear intermediate light-emitting part can be emitted together, further improving the design of the light-emitting part.

[0066] (Explanation of examples other than the embodiment) In the above embodiment, the first lamp unit 100 is an example in which a headlamp that emits a variable-beam high beam is used, and the second lamp unit 200 is an example in which an indicator lamp (position lamp, clearance lamp) is used. However, in this invention, the first lamp unit may be other than a headlamp, for example, a stop lamp, and the second lamp unit may be other than an indicator lamp (position lamp, clearance lamp), for example, a taillight. In this case, the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit are mounted on the rear side of the vehicle 10.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an inner lens 4 is placed between the light guide rods 220U and 220D and the outer lens 3. However, in this invention, it is not necessary to place the inner lens 4. In this case, the outer lens 3 may be provided with an optical element that diffuses the light L emitted from the light guide rods 220U and 220D and the stray light L1 emitted from the light guide body 230.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the two intermediate portions 222U and 222D of the light guide rods 220U and 220D are arranged to overlap or side by side. However, in this invention, the intermediate portions 222U and 222D may be made from the intermediate portion of either one of the two light guide rods 220U and 220D.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, circular end portions 221U and 221D surrounding the entire perimeter of the first lamp unit 100 are used. However, in this invention, end portions surrounding only a part of the perimeter of the first lamp unit 100 may also be used.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a light guide 230 is used. However, in this invention, it is not necessary to use the light guide 230.

[0071] Furthermore, this invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1. Vehicle lighting fixtures 2 Lamp Housing 3. Outer lens (lamp lens) 30 End part 31 Middle part 4. Inner lens (light-emitting part) 40. Lens end portion (end light emission portion) 41. Intermediate lens section (intermediate light-emitting section) 5 Space 6. Mounting components 10 vehicles 11 Front grille section 100 First Lamp Unit 101 Lens component 102 Housing component 200 Second Lamp Unit 210 2nd light source section 211 circuit board 212 LED 220U, 220D Light guide rod (light guide component, light-emitting part) 221U, 221D End section (end light-emitting section) 222U, 222D Intermediate section (intermediate light-emitting section) 223U, 223D entrance part 224 Entrance plane 225 Reflective surface 226 Tsunamen 227 Ejection surface Branch point for 228U and 228D 230 Light guide 231 Incidence plane 232 Reflective surface 233 Tsunamen 234 Ejection surface L light L1 Leaked light

Claims

1. A lamp housing and lamp lens that form a space extending across both ends of the vehicle in the left-right direction, The first lamp units are arranged at both ends of the space and cause the light distribution of the first lamp function to be emitted to the outside from the lamp lens, A second lamp unit is arranged within the aforementioned space and causes the light distribution of the second lamp function to be emitted to the outside from the lamp lens, Equipped with, The aforementioned second lamp unit is A second light source unit is located at each of the two ends of the space, A light-emitting unit is arranged across both ends of the space and emits light from the second light source to form the light distribution of the second lamp function, It has, The light-emitting part is, End light-emitting portions that surround at least a portion of the left and right first lamp units, An intermediate light-emitting portion is positioned in the left-right direction between the left and right end light-emitting portions and is provided integrally with the left and right end light-emitting portions, It has, The light-emitting part is composed of a light guide member, The light guide member is The incident portions are arranged at both ends of the aforementioned space, The end portions are provided integrally with the left and right incident portions, and the left and right end light-emitting portions are An intermediate portion positioned in the left-right direction between the left and right end portions and provided integrally with the left and right end portions, the intermediate light-emitting portion and Each of the aforementioned incident portions on the left and right is provided with an incident surface that receives light from the left and right second light sources, The left and right end portions and the intermediate portion are provided with reflective surfaces that reflect the incident light, An emitting surface is provided on the left and right end portions and the intermediate portion, which emits the reflected light toward the lamp lens, It has, The left and right end portions of the light guide member, when viewed from the lamp lens side, form a circle that surrounds the first lamp unit. The intermediate portion of the light guide member has a straight shape when viewed from the lamp lens side. A vehicle lighting device characterized by the following features.

2. A lamp housing and lamp lens that form a space extending across both ends of the vehicle in the left-right direction, The first lamp units are arranged at both ends of the space and cause the light distribution of the first lamp function to be emitted to the outside from the lamp lens, A second lamp unit is arranged within the aforementioned space and causes the light distribution of the second lamp function to be emitted to the outside from the lamp lens, Equipped with, The aforementioned second lamp unit is A second light source unit is located at each of the two ends of the space, A light-emitting unit is arranged across both ends of the space and emits light from the second light source to form the light distribution of the second lamp function, It has, The light-emitting part is, End light-emitting portions that surround at least a portion of the left and right first lamp units, An intermediate light-emitting portion is positioned in the left-right direction between the left and right end light-emitting portions and is provided integrally with the left and right end light-emitting portions, The branching point between the end light-emitting portion and the intermediate light-emitting portion, It has, The light guide is provided at the aforementioned branching point, The light guide body is When viewed from the lamp lens side, it forms a triangle, An incident surface into which light leaking from the aforementioned branching point is incident, A reflective surface that reflects the incident stray light, An emission surface that emits the reflected leaked light, Having A vehicle lighting device characterized by the following features.

3. The light-emitting part is, The light guide member and, An inner lens is disposed between the lamp lens and the light guide member, which receives light emitted from the light exit surface of the light guide member, diffuses it toward the lamp lens, and emits it thereafter. It is composed of, The aforementioned inner lens is Lens end portions facing the left and right end portions of the light guide member, the left and right end light-emitting portions and, A lens intermediate portion that is positioned in the left-right direction between the left and right lens end portions, facing the intermediate portion of the light guide member, and integrally provided with the left and right lens end portions, and the intermediate light-emitting portion, Having The vehicle lighting device according to feature 1.

4. The left and right end portions of the light guide member and the left and right lens end portions of the inner lens form a circle that surrounds the first lamp unit when viewed from the lamp lens side. The intermediate portion of the light guide member and the intermediate portion of the inner lens have a straight shape when viewed from the lamp lens side. The vehicle lighting device according to feature 3.

5. The aforementioned light guide member is composed of two light guide rods, The longitudinal directions of the two light guide rods coincide with the left-right direction. Each of the two light guide rods has an incident portion, an end portion, an intermediate portion, an incident surface, a reflective surface, and an exit surface of the light guide member, The end portions of the two light guide rods are semicircular in shape, obtained by dividing the circular end portion of the light guide member into two with the left-right direction as the boundary. The intermediate portions of the two light guide rods are arranged overlapping or side by side, forming a straight line. A vehicle lighting device according to feature 1 or 4.

6. The device includes light guides positioned at the branching points of the ends of the two light guide rods, The light guide body is When viewed from the lamp lens side, it forms a triangle, Two incident surfaces corresponding to two sides of the aforementioned triangle and facing the aforementioned branching point, which allow light leaking from the branching point to be incident, A reflective surface that reflects the incident stray light, An emission surface that emits the reflected leaked light in the same direction as the light emission direction from the emission surface, Having The vehicle lighting device according to feature 5.

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