Vehicle lamp

Abstract

This vehicle lamp comprises: a light source; an outer lens that is disposed on a front surface side in a state in which the light source is mounted to a vehicle, said outer lens having a front surface portion that is disposed on a front surface side, an upper surface portion that is disposed above the front surface portion, and a lower surface portion that is disposed below the front surface portion, and having a shape in which the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion are extended so that the front surface portion is disposed in a position protruding toward the front surface side; and a light diffusion member that is provided in a target portion of the outer lens that differs from the front surface portion, and is formed in a state having a higher haze than that of the front surface portion, said light diffusion member diffusing light.

Description

Vehicle lighting fixtures

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle lamp having an outer lens that protrudes rearward of the vehicle is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-041397

[0004] In a vehicle lamp such as that described in Patent Document 1, it is required to achieve an appearance in which the outer lens itself appears to be emitting light when in a light-emitting state.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide a vehicle lamp that can achieve an appearance in which the outer lens itself appears to be emitting light when in an emitting state.

[0006] The vehicle lamp of the present invention comprises a light source, an outer lens that is arranged on the front side of the light source when mounted on a vehicle and has a front portion that is arranged on the front side, an upper surface portion that is arranged above the front portion, and a lower surface portion that is arranged below the front portion, and the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion have an extended shape so that the front portion is arranged in a position that protrudes toward the front side, and a light diffusion member that is provided on a target portion of the outer lens different from the front portion, is formed with a higher haze than the front portion, and diffuses light.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp that can achieve an appearance in which, in a light-emitting state, the outer lens itself appears to be emitting light.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a rear part of a vehicle according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic view of an example of a vehicle lamp according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic view of an example of a vehicle lamp according to this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic view of an example of a vehicle lamp according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic view of an example of a vehicle lamp according to this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a lit state of a vehicle lamp according to this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a vehicle lamp. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a vehicle lamp. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a vehicle lamp. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a vehicle lamp. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a vehicle lamp.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of a vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] In this embodiment, the front and rear directions are directions in a state where the device is mounted on a vehicle (mounted on a vehicle). For example, when the device is mounted on the front of the vehicle, the front is the front direction (front side) and the rear is the rear direction (rear side). When the device is mounted on the rear of the vehicle, the rear is the front direction (front side) and the front is the rear direction (rear side). When the device is mounted on the side of the vehicle, the outside of the vehicle is the front direction (front side) and the inside of the vehicle is the rear direction (rear side).

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the rear of a vehicle 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 2, a running device 3, and a vehicle lamp 100. The vehicle body 2 has a driver's cab in which a driver sits. The vehicle body 2 is supported by the running device 3. The running device 3 has wheels on which tires 4 are mounted, a steering device for changing the direction of travel of the vehicle 1, and a brake device for slowing down or stopping the running device 3. The vehicle 1 includes a boarding / alighting door provided on a side of the vehicle body 2, and a tailgate 7 provided at the rear of the vehicle body 2. The boarding / alighting door and the tailgate 7 are each movably supported on the vehicle body 2 via a hinge mechanism.

[0012] In this embodiment, the vehicle lamp 100 is provided on each of the left and right sides of the rear of the vehicle body 2. In this embodiment, the vehicle lamp 100 is provided at the rear of the vehicle body 2. Therefore, the rear side in the front-to-rear direction will be described as the front side of the vehicle lamp 100, and the front side in the front-to-rear direction will be described as the back side of the vehicle lamp 100.

[0013] The vehicle lighting device 100 includes functional lamps, such as a tail lamp provided at the rear of the vehicle body 2 and lit in conjunction with the lighting of the head lamps, a stop lamp provided at the rear of the vehicle body 2 and lit in conjunction with the operation of the brake device, and a rear turn signal lamp provided at the rear of the vehicle body 2 and lit to indicate the direction in which the vehicle 1 is traveling to those around it.

[0014] The vehicle lamps 100 are disposed, for example, on the vehicle body 2 side. In this embodiment, the vehicle body 2 is a fixed part. The back door 7 is a movable part. The structure of the vehicle lamp 100 provided on the left rear part of the vehicle body 2 and the structure of the vehicle lamp 100 provided on the right rear part of the vehicle body 2 are symmetrical in the left-right direction and are substantially identical. The following description will mainly focus on the vehicle lamp 100 provided on the right rear part of the vehicle body 2, and the description of the vehicle lamp 100 provided on the left rear part of the vehicle body 2 will be simplified or omitted.

[0015] Figures 2 to 5 are diagrams schematically showing an example of a vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the vehicle lamp 100. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the vehicle lamp 100. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional configuration along a plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane and extending in the front-to-rear direction. Figures 4 and 5 show the interior of the vehicle lamp 100 as viewed from the right.

[0016] The vehicle lamp 100 includes a light source 10 , a light guide 20 , an inner lens 30 , an outer lens 40 , an inner housing 50 , and an outer housing 60 .

[0017] The light source 10 may be, for example, a semiconductor light source such as an LED, a laser light source, etc. The light source 10 has a light emitting surface 11 that emits light.

[0018] The light guide 20 is rod-shaped and extends, for example, from the inside of the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle, so as to curve toward the rear side in accordance with the slanted shape of the vehicle lamp 100. In this embodiment, the light guide 20 is disposed on the front side of the light source 10.

[0019] The light guide 20 has an end face 21 and a side face 22. The end face 21 faces the light emitting surface 11 of the light source 10. The end face 21 is disposed in a state facing the light emitting surface 11 of the light source 10. The end face 21 causes light from the light source 10 to enter the inside of the light guide 20. In the light guide 20, the end face 21 is disposed, for example, at the end on the outer side and rear side of the vehicle. This shape allows the light from the light source 10 to be appropriately guided inside the slanted vehicle lamp 100.

[0020] The side surface 22 emits light that has entered the interior. The side surface 22 has a prism portion 22a (see FIG. 4, etc.) formed on the upper end side when mounted on a vehicle. The prism portion 22a reflects light that has entered from the end surface 21 and is internally reflected by the side surface 22 in a predetermined direction, i.e., downward when mounted on a vehicle. The light reflected by the prism portion 22a is emitted downward from the side surface 22 of the light guide 20.

[0021] The inner lens 30 guides the light emitted from the light guide 20 and emits it at least in a forward direction when mounted on a vehicle. The inner lens 30 is arranged on the rear side of the outer lens 40. The inner lens 30 is arranged, for example, below the light guide 20. The inner lens 30 has a rod-shaped portion 31 and a plate-shaped portion 32. The rod-shaped portion 31 and the plate-shaped portion 32 of the inner lens 30 are provided, for example, as a single member. The inner lens 30 may have a plate-shaped rib portion (not shown) at one longitudinal end that protrudes toward the front side.

[0022] The rod-shaped portion 31 is rod-shaped. The rod-shaped portion 31 extends linearly, for example, in the up-down direction. The rod-shaped portion 31 has an end face 31a and a side face 31b. The end face 31a faces the side face 22 of the light guide 20. The rod-shaped portion 31 is arranged such that the end face 31a faces the side face 22 of the light guide 20 with a gap D in a predetermined direction (downward) between the end face 31a and the side face 22 of the light guide 20. The end face 31a allows light emitted from the side face 22 of the light guide 20 to enter the interior.

[0023] The side surface 31b emits light that has entered the interior. A prism portion 31c is formed on the rear side of the side surface 31b when the light source is mounted on a vehicle. The prism portion 31c reflects light that enters from the end surface 31a and is internally reflected by the side surface 31b toward the front side when the light source is mounted on a vehicle. The light reflected by the prism portion 31c is emitted from the side surface 31b of the rod-shaped portion 31 in a front direction. In this embodiment, the light reflected by the prism portion 31c is emitted, for example, from the side surface 31b toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0024] The plate-shaped portion 32 is formed integrally with the rod-shaped portion 31. The plate-shaped portion 32 connects adjacent rod-shaped portions 31. The plate-shaped portion 32 is, for example, in the shape of a flat plate, and is arranged in the up-down direction so as to correspond to the rod-shaped portion 31. The plate-shaped portion 32 has an incident surface 32a, a reflecting surface 32b, and an exit surface 32c.

[0025] The incident surface 32 a is disposed opposite the side surface 22 of the light guide 20. The incident surface 32 a allows light emitted from the side surface 22 to enter the inside of the plate-shaped portion 32.

[0026] Light incident on the rod-shaped portion 31 is guided inside the rod-shaped portion 31 by internal reflection. A prism portion 31c is disposed on the rear side of the rod-shaped portion 31. The light incident on the rod-shaped portion 31 is reflected by the prism portion 31c and emitted from the side surface 31b toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0027] Furthermore, a portion of the light incident on the rod-shaped portion 31 is reflected by the prism portion 32d and emitted from the emission surface 32c toward the side of the vehicle.

[0028] The outer lens 40 outputs the light emitted from the inner lens 30 to the outside of the vehicle lamp 100. The outer lens 40 is plate-shaped. The outer lens 40 has a shape that curves toward the rear side from the inside of the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle. The outer lens 40, together with the outer housing 60, houses each part of the vehicle lamp 100. The outer lens 40 is formed, for example, using a transparent resin material or a resin material of a color similar to the lighting color.

[0029] The outer lens 40 has a front surface portion 41, an upper surface portion 42, a lower surface portion 43, and a side surface portion 44. The front surface portion 41 faces the front direction. The front surface portion 41 faces the front surface of the inner lens 30. The front surface portion 41 transmits light emitted from the inner lens 30 in the front direction.

[0030] The top surface portion 42 is disposed above the front surface portion 41. The top surface portion 42 transmits light emitted from the inner lens 30 diagonally upward toward the front side. The top surface portion 42 has a light diffusion member 45 on its inner surface 42a. The light diffusion member 45 is provided so as to cover the entire inner surface 42a of the top surface portion 42. The light diffusion member 45 is formed so that its thickness gradually increases from the front side to the rear side. In other words, the light diffusion member 45 is formed so that its thickness gradually decreases from the rear side to the front side. The light diffusion member 45 may be, for example, a textured prism, a film containing a light diffusion material, or a layer containing a light diffusion material.

[0031] The lower surface portion 43 is disposed below the front surface portion 41. The lower surface portion 43 has a light diffusion member 46 on its inner surface 43a. The light diffusion member 46 is provided so as to cover the entire inner surface 43a of the lower surface portion 43. The light diffusion member 46 is formed so that its thickness gradually increases from the front side to the rear side. In other words, the light diffusion member 46 is formed so that its thickness gradually decreases from the rear side to the front side. Like the light diffusion member 45, the light diffusion member 46 may be, for example, a textured prism, a film containing a light diffusion material, or a layer containing a light diffusion material. The light diffusion member 46 may be the same type as the light diffusion member 45, or a different type.

[0032] In this embodiment, a light diffusing member 45 is provided on the upper surface portion 42, and a light diffusing member 46 is provided on the lower surface portion 43. That is, the upper surface portion 42 and the lower surface portion 43 are the target portion 70 on which the light diffusing members (45, 46) are provided. Note that the target portion 70 only needs to include at least the upper surface portion 42. Therefore, the light diffusing member 46 on the lower surface portion 43 side does not need to be provided. In this case, the target portion 70 becomes the upper surface portion 42.

[0033] The outer lens 40 has a shape in which an upper surface portion 42 and a lower surface portion 43 extend toward the front side so that a front surface portion 41 is disposed at a position protruding toward the front side.

[0034] The inner housing 50 holds the inner lens 30. The inner housing 50 has a rear surface 51, an upper surface 52, and a bottom surface (protruding portion) 53. The rear surface 51 covers the rear side of the inner lens 30. The upper surface 52 is disposed above the rear surface 51 and covers the light guide 20. The bottom surface 53 is disposed below the rear surface 51 and covers the bottom side of the inner lens 30. The bottom surface 53 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape along a horizontal plane and is disposed so as to protrude from the inner lens 30 to the front side.

[0035] The upper surface portion 52 may be separate from the inner housing 52, or may have a reflector shape that covers the light guide 20. The inner housing 52 may have a reflective surface that is white or has aluminum vapor deposition or the like.

[0036] The outer housing 60 holds the light source 10 , the light guide 20 , the inner lens 30 , the outer lens 40 and the inner housing 50 .

[0037] Next, an example of lighting the vehicle lamp 100 configured as described above will be described. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the lighting state of the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment. When a predetermined operation to turn on the tail lamp is performed by the driver, the vehicle lamp 100 acquires an operation signal from an operation device. A control circuit provided on a board or the like of the light source 10 controls the light emission of the light source 10 in accordance with the acquired signal.

[0038] Light is emitted from the light-emitting surface 11 of the light source 10. This light enters the light guide 20 from the end surface 21, is internally reflected by the prism portion 22a, and is emitted from the emission portion 22b of the side surface 22. The light emitted from the emission portion 22b enters the inner lens 30.

[0039] Of the light incident on the inner lens 30, light L1 is internally reflected, for example, by the prism portion 31c, and emitted from the inner lens 30 to the front side, and passes through the front portion 41 of the outer lens 40 and is emitted to the front side of the vehicle lamp 100. High brightness can be ensured by the light L1 emitted from the front portion 41.

[0040] Furthermore, light L2 incident on the inner lens 30 is internally reflected, for example, by the prism portion 31c, and emitted from the inner lens 30 diagonally upward toward the front, and is diffused by passing through the light diffusing member 45. The diffused light L2 passes through the upper surface portion 42 of the outer lens 40 and is emitted diagonally upward toward the vehicle lamp 100. The light L2 emitted diagonally upward from the upper surface portion 42 allows the upper surface portion 42 to emit light uniformly, achieving the appearance that the outer lens 40 itself is emitting light. In other words, the uniform emission of light from the outer lens 40, which extends toward the front, achieves a three-dimensional appearance.

[0041] Furthermore, light L3, which is incident on the inner lens 30 and is internally reflected by, for example, the prism portion 31c, and is emitted from the inner lens 30 diagonally downward toward the front, is diffused by passing through the light diffusing member 46. The diffused light L3 passes through the lower surface portion 43 of the outer lens 40 and is emitted diagonally downward toward the vehicle lamp 100. The light L3 emitted diagonally downward from the lower surface portion 43 makes it possible to achieve an appearance in which the outer lens 40 itself is emitting light. In other words, the outer lens 40, which has a shape extending toward the front, emits light uniformly, thereby achieving a three-dimensional appearance.

[0042] As described above, the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment includes the light source 10, the light guide 20 that guides light from the light source 10 and emits it from the side, the inner lens 30 that is arranged along the side of the light guide 20 and guides the light emitted from the light guide 20 and emits it to the front side, the outer lens 40 that is arranged on the front side of the inner lens 30 and has a front portion 41 that is arranged on the front side when mounted on the vehicle, an upper surface portion 42 that is arranged above the front portion 41, and a lower surface portion 43 that is arranged below the front portion 41, and has a shape in which the upper surface portion 42 and the lower surface portion 43 extend out so that the front portion 41 is arranged in a position that protrudes to the front side, and light diffusion members 45, 46 that are provided in a target portion 70 of the outer lens 40 that is different from the front portion 41, are formed with a higher haze than the front portion 41, and diffuse light.

[0043] According to this configuration, a light diffusing member (45, 46) that is formed with a higher haze than the front portion 41 and diffuses light is provided in a target portion 70 different from the front portion 41 of the outer lens 40, so that diffused light can be emitted to the target portion 70 different from the front portion 41 while ensuring the brightness of the light emitted from the front portion 41. Therefore, in the luminous state, it is possible to achieve an appearance in which the outer lens itself appears to be luminous while ensuring the brightness of the front portion 41. In other words, the outer lens 40, which has a shape extending toward the front side, uniformly emits light, thereby achieving a three-dimensional appearance.

[0044] In the above-described vehicle lamp 100 , the target portion 70 includes at least the upper surface portion 42 .

[0045] With this configuration, light diffused by the light diffusing member 45 can be emitted from the upper surface 42. Therefore, when viewed from above in the emitting state, it is possible to achieve an appearance in which the outer lens itself appears to be emitting light. In other words, the outer lens 40, which extends toward the front, emits light uniformly, achieving a three-dimensional appearance.

[0046] In the above-described vehicle lamp 100 , the target portion 70 includes an upper surface portion 42 and a lower surface portion 43 .

[0047] With this configuration, light diffused by the light diffusing members 45, 46 is emitted from the upper surface 42 and the lower surface 43. Therefore, when viewed from the top and bottom surfaces in the emitting state, it is possible to achieve an appearance in which the outer lens itself appears to be emitting light. In other words, the outer lens 40, which extends toward the front, emits light uniformly, thereby achieving a three-dimensional appearance.

[0048] In the above-described vehicle lamp 100 , the light diffusion members 45 , 46 are disposed on the inner surfaces 42 a , 43 a of the target portion 70 .

[0049] According to this configuration, the light diffusion members 45 and 46 are disposed on the inner surfaces 42 a and 43 a of the target portion 70 , so that the light diffused by the light diffusion members 45 and 46 can be emitted from the upper surface portion 42 and the lower surface portion 43 .

[0050] In the above-described vehicle lamp 100, the front portion 41 has a grained portion 41s that diffuses light on the inner surface 41a, in a portion including the boundary with the light diffusion members 45, 46.

[0051] According to this configuration, a embossed portion 41s is provided on the inner surface 41a of the front portion 41, including the boundary with the light diffusion members 45, 46, thereby improving the appearance of the boundary between the light diffusion members 45, 46 and the front portion 41.

[0052] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0053] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a vehicle lamp. In the vehicle lamp 100A shown in Fig. 7, the light diffusing member 45A provided on the inner surface 42a of the upper surface portion 42 does not have a pointed end toward the rear of the vehicle, but has, for example, at least a partially rounded shape. This light diffusing member 45A is configured to be embedded into the inner surface 42a of the upper surface portion 42. In this way, the light diffusing member 45A may have a configuration in which the end toward the rear of the vehicle is not pointed.

[0054] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a vehicle lamp. The vehicle lamp 100B shown in FIG. 8 is configured such that a light diffusing member 45B is provided on the outer surface 42b of the upper surface portion 42. Furthermore, a light diffusing member 46B is provided on the outer surface 43b of the lower surface portion 43. In this manner, the vehicle lamp 100B may be configured such that the light diffusing members 45B, 46B are disposed on the outer surfaces 42b, 43b of the target portion 70 (the upper surface portion 42 and the lower surface portion 43 in FIG. 8). With this configuration, light emitted from the upper surface portion 42 and the lower surface portion 43 can be diffused by the light diffusing members 45B, 46B and then emitted. As with the above embodiment, the light diffusing member 46B may not be provided.

[0055] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a vehicle lamp. In a vehicle lamp 100C shown in Fig. 9, a light diffusing member 45C provided on the inner surface 42a of the upper surface portion 42 is formed with a constant or almost constant thickness from the rear to the front of the vehicle. This configuration can improve the appearance of the boundary portion between the light diffusing member 45C and the front surface portion 41.

[0056] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a vehicle lamp. In a vehicle lamp 100D shown in Fig. 10, a light diffusion member 45D provided on the inner surface 42a of the upper surface portion 42 is disposed so as to be embedded in the inner surface 42a of the upper surface portion 42. The upper surface portion 42 also has an upwardly curved shape corresponding to the light diffusion member 45D. In this way, the upper surface portion 42 may have an upwardly curved shape, and the light diffusion member 45D may be embedded in the curved portion of the upper surface portion 42. In this case, the thickness of the upper surface portion 42 and the light diffusion member 45D can be ensured, thereby improving moldability.

[0057] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a vehicle lamp. The vehicle lamp 100E shown in FIG. 11 has a configuration in which a light diffusion member 45E is provided on the outer surface 42b of the upper surface portion 42. Furthermore, a light diffusion member 46E is provided on the outer surface 43b of the lower surface portion 43. The connection inner surface portion 42d, which is the inner side of the connection portion between the upper surface portion 42 and the front surface portion 41, and the connection outer surface portion 42e, which is the outer surface of the connection portion, are each curved surfaces that curve upward toward the rear. The connection inner surface portion 42d and the connection outer surface portion 42e are formed so that their curved surfaces are optically parallel. The light diffusion member 45E of the upper surface portion 42 has a step portion 45g at the boundary with the connection outer surface portion 42e. The vehicle lamp 100E also has a transparent member 47. The transparent member 47 is arranged to externally cover the outer lens 40, on which the light diffusion members 45E and 46E are provided. Specifically, the transparent member 47 is disposed so as to cover the light diffusion members 45E and 46E, the upper surface portion 42, the lower surface portion 43, and the front surface portion 41. The transparent member 47 is disposed so as to contact the step portion 45g, which is the boundary portion between the light diffusion member 45E and the outer lens 40. The transparent member 47 has the same refractive index as the light diffusion member 45E and the front surface portion 41.

[0058] In this way, the vehicle lamp 100E further includes the transparent member 47 arranged to cover the light diffusion members 45, 46 and the outer lens 40. With this configuration, the appearance of the boundary portion between the light diffusion members 45, 46 and the outer lens 40 can be improved.

[0059] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 100E, the transparent member 47 is provided so as to contact the boundary portion between the light diffusion members 45, 46 and the outer lens 40. With this configuration, the appearance of the boundary portion between the light diffusion members 45, 46 and the outer lens 40 can be more reliably improved.

[0060] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 100E, the transparent member 47, the light diffusion members 45, 46, and the outer lens 40 have the same optical refractive index. With this configuration, when a step portion 45g is formed at the boundary between the light diffusion member 45 and the outer lens 40, it is possible to prevent unevenness in light from being formed at the step portion 45g.

[0061] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 100E, the outer lens 40 has a curved connection portion that connects the front portion 41 and the upper surface portion 42, which is the target portion 70, and a connection inner surface portion 42d, which is the inner surface of the connection portion, and a connection outer surface portion 42e, which is the outer surface of the connection portion, are formed optically parallel. With this configuration, when the vehicle lamp 100E is viewed from the front side, for example, the connection portion can be prevented from appearing dark in the light-emitting state.

[0062] As described above, the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present disclosure comprises a light source 10, an outer lens 40 that is arranged on the front side of the light source 10 when mounted on a vehicle, and that has a front portion 41 that is arranged on the front side, an upper surface portion 42 that is arranged above the front portion 41, and a lower surface portion 43 that is arranged below the front portion 41, and that has a shape in which the upper surface portion 42 and the lower surface portion 43 extend out so that the front portion 41 is arranged in a position that protrudes toward the front side, and light diffusion members 45, 46 that are provided in a target portion 70 of the outer lens 40 that is different from the front portion 41, are formed with a higher haze than the front portion 41, and diffuse light.

[0063] According to this configuration, a light diffusing member (45, 46) that is formed with a higher haze than the front portion 41 and diffuses light is provided in a target portion 70 different from the front portion 41 of the outer lens 40, so that diffused light can be emitted to the target portion 70 different from the front portion 41 while ensuring the brightness of the light emitted from the front portion 41. Therefore, in the luminous state, it is possible to achieve an appearance in which the outer lens itself appears to be luminous while ensuring the brightness of the front portion 41. In other words, the outer lens 40, which has a shape extending toward the front side, uniformly emits light, thereby achieving a three-dimensional appearance.

[0064] D...gap, L1, L2, L3...light, 1...vehicle, 2...vehicle body, 3...running device, 4...tire, 7...back door, 10...light source, 11...light-emitting surface, 20...light guide, 21, 31a...end face, 22, 31b...side face, 22a, 31c, 32d...prism portion, 22b...emitting portion, 30...inner lens, 31...rod-shaped portion, 32...plate-shaped portion, 32a...incident surface, 32b...reflecting surface, 32c...emitting surface, 40...outer lens, 41...front portion, 41a, 42a, 43a...inner surface, 41s ...grained portion, 42, 52...upper surface portion, 42b, 43b...outer surface, 42d...connecting inner surface portion, 42e...connecting outer surface portion, 43...lower surface portion, 44...side surface portion, 45, 45A, 45B, 45C, 45D, 45E, 46, 46B, 46E...light diffusing member, 45g...step portion, 47...transparent member, 50...inner housing, 51...rear portion, 53...bottom surface portion, 60...outer housing, 70...target portion, 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E...vehicle lamp

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp comprising: a light source; an outer lens arranged on the front side of the light source when mounted on a vehicle, the outer lens having a front portion arranged on the front side, an upper portion arranged above the front portion, and a lower portion arranged below the front portion, the upper portion and the lower portion having a shape extending out so that the front portion is arranged in a position protruding toward the front side; and a light diffusing member provided on a target portion of the outer lens different from the front portion, the light diffusing member being formed with a higher haze than the front portion and diffusing light.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, further comprising: a light guide that guides light from the light source and emits it from a side; and an inner lens that is arranged on the rear side of the outer lens and along the side of the light guide, and that guides the light emitted from the light guide and emits it to the front side.

3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the target portion includes at least the upper surface portion.

4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the target portion includes the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion.

5. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light diffusing member is disposed on the inner surface of the target portion.

6. The vehicle lamp according to claim 5, wherein the front portion has a textured portion for diffusing light on the inner surface thereof including the boundary with the light diffusing member.

7. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light diffusing member is disposed on an outer surface of the target portion.

8. The vehicular lamp according to claim 7, further comprising a transparent member arranged to cover the light diffusing member and the outer lens.

9. The vehicular lamp according to claim 8, wherein the transparent member is provided so as to contact a boundary portion between the light diffusing member and the outer lens.

10. The vehicle lamp according to claim 9, wherein the transparent member, the light diffusing member and the outer lens have equivalent optical refractive indices.

11. The vehicle lamp according to claim 7, wherein the outer lens has a curved connection portion that connects the front portion and the target portion, and the connection portion is formed so that the inner and outer surfaces are optically parallel.