Vehicle lamp

Abstract

This vehicle lamp comprises: a light source unit that has a light source and emits light from the light source toward a front surface side; a lens panel that is disposed on the front surface side of the light source unit, has lens sections consisting of a concave lens section recessed toward the back surface side and a convex lens section protruding toward the front surface side, and emits the light from the light source unit toward the front surface side from the emission surfaces of the lens sections; and an outer lens that is disposed on the front surface side of the lens panel and emits the light emitted from the lens panel toward the front surface side. A light transmission pattern having an opening with a shape corresponding to the shape of the lens sections is formed on the surface on the front surface side of the lens panel.

Description

Vehicle lighting fixtures

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle lamp having a lens panel that emits light from a light source to the front side is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-120037

[0004] In the above-mentioned vehicle lamps, it is required to realize a three-dimensional light emission state with a sense of depth.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide a vehicle lamp that can realize a three-dimensional light emission state with a sense of depth.

[0006] The vehicle lamp of the present invention comprises a light source unit having a light source and emitting light from the light source toward the front side, a lens panel arranged on the front side of the light source unit and having a lens section with a concave lens section recessed toward the back side and a convex lens section protruding toward the front side, and emitting light from the light source unit toward the front side from the emission surface of the lens section, and an outer lens arranged on the front side of the lens panel and emitting light emitted from the lens panel toward the front side, and a light transmission pattern having an opening of a shape corresponding to the shape of the lens section is formed on the front surface of the lens panel.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp that can achieve a three-dimensional light emission state with a sense of depth.

[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 an example of a vehicular lamp according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicular lamp according to this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicular lamp according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicular lamp according to this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicular lamp according to this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicular lamp according to this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of a lens panel according to this embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a shape of a light reflection pattern provided on a lens panel according to this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of an outer shape of a lens panel according to this embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of an outer shape of a lens panel according to this embodiment. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an example of the overall configuration of a vehicular lamp. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of the overall configuration of a vehicular lamp. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an example of the overall configuration of a vehicular lamp. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an example of the overall configuration of a vehicular lamp. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing an example of the overall configuration of a vehicular lamp.

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle lamp according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. 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] 2 to 7 are diagrams showing an example of a vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the vehicle lamp 100. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a part of the vehicle lamp 100. FIG. 4 is a front view showing an example of the vehicle lamp 100. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration along the A-A cross section in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration along the B-B cross section in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration along the C-C cross section in FIG. 4.

[0016] The vehicle lamp 100 includes a light source 10, a light guide 20, an inner lens 30, a reflector 40, a lens panel 50, an inner panel 60, an inner housing 70, an outer lens 80, and an outer housing 90. In this embodiment, the light source 10, the light guide 20, and the inner lens 30 constitute a light source unit U.

[0017] The light source 10 may be, for example, a semiconductor light source such as an LED, a laser light source, or the like. The light source 10 has a light-emitting surface 11 that emits light. The light source 10 is supported on a circuit board (not shown). The circuit board is supported on a heat dissipation member (not shown), or the like.

[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] As shown in Fig. 2, the light guide 20 has an incident surface 21, a light guide section 22, and an exit section 23. The incident surface 21 is located at one end of the light guide 20 in the longitudinal direction, and faces the light emitting surface 11 of the light source 10. Light from the light source 10 is incident on the incident surface 21. In the light guide 20, the incident surface 21 is located, for example, at the end on the outer 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 light guide section 22 is a section that extends from the incident surface 21 toward the front side. The light guide section 22 guides the light that has entered through the incident surface 21.

[0021] The exit portion 23 is a portion extending from the light guide portion 22 toward the inside of the vehicle. The exit portion 23 is formed to the other end of the light guide 20 in the longitudinal direction. The exit portion 23 guides light from the light source 10 and emits it from the side surface 23a toward the inner lens 30. In this embodiment, as described below, the inner lens 30 is disposed below the light guide 20. Therefore, the exit portion 23 emits light downward from the lower part of the side surface 23a. A prism portion 23b is provided on the side surface 23a opposite the inner lens 30, i.e., on the upper part. The prism portion 23b reflects light that enters from the incident surface 21 and is internally reflected by the side surface 23a in the exit direction, i.e., downward toward where the inner lens 30 is disposed. The light reflected by the prism portion 23b is emitted downward from the side surface 23a of the light guide 20 toward the inner lens 30.

[0022] The inner lens 30 guides 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 disposed, for example, below the light guide 20. It is formed to emit light in a forward direction from a band-shaped region along the left-right direction. The inner lens 30 may be configured, for example, such that rod-shaped portions 31 extending in the vertical direction are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction, and adjacent rod-shaped portions 31 are connected by plate-shaped portions 32. The upper ends of the rod-shaped portions 31 and the plate-shaped portions 32 of the inner lens 30 serve as incident surfaces 31a and 32a, respectively. The incident surfaces 31a and 32a are arranged at an interval in the up-down direction relative to the light guide 20. Light emitted from the light guide 20 is incident on the rod-shaped portions 31 and the plate-shaped portions 32 from the incident surfaces 31a and 32a. Prism portions 31p and 32p are formed on the back sides of the rod-shaped portions 31 and the plate-shaped portions 32. Prism portions 31p, 32p internally reflect light traveling inside inner lens 30 toward the front. Exit surfaces 31b, 32b are provided on the front sides of rod-shaped portion 31 and plate-shaped portion 32. Exit surfaces 31b, 32b emit the light internally reflected by prism portions 31p, 32p toward the front side (rear of the vehicle). Note that the configuration of inner lens 30 is not limited to the above configuration.

[0023] The reflector 40 is disposed above the light guide 20. The reflector 40 has a reflective surface 41 disposed to protrude forward of the inner lens 30 (see Figures 5, 6, etc.). The reflective surface 41 is disposed along a horizontal plane and faces downward. The reflector 40 reflects light directed upward from the inner lens 30.

[0024] The lens panel 50 is disposed on the front side of the inner lens 30. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of the lens panel 50 according to this embodiment. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of a light reflecting pattern provided on the lens panel 50 according to this embodiment. Figs. 10 and 11 are perspective views showing an example of the outer shape of the lens panel 50 according to this embodiment. Fig. 10 is a view from the front side, and Fig. 11 is a view from the rear side. Note that Figs. 10 and 11 show a state in which a light transmitting pattern 55, which will be described later, is not formed.

[0025] The lens panel 50 has a concave lens portion (lens portion) 51 , a convex lens portion (lens portion) 52 , a standing wall portion 53 , and a light-transmitting pattern 55 .

[0026] The concave lens portion 51 has a shape that is recessed toward the rear surface. The concave lens portion 51 is formed in a plate shape using a light-transmitting material, and has a curved shape that is recessed toward the rear surface from the upper and lower ends toward the center in the vertical direction. The concave lens portion 51 has an incident surface 51a and an exit surface 51b. The incident surface 51a is located on the rear surface side, and light emitted from the inner lens 30 is incident on the incident surface 51a. The exit surface 51b is located on the front surface side, and emits light that has entered from the incident surface 51a.

[0027] The convex lens portion 52 has a shape that protrudes toward the front side. The convex lens portion 52 is formed in a plate shape using a light-transmitting material and has a curved shape that protrudes toward the front side from the upper and lower ends in the vertical direction toward the center. The convex lens portion 52 has an incident surface 52a and an exit surface 52b. The incident surface 52a is located on the rear side, and light emitted from the inner lens 30 is incident on the incident surface 52a. The exit surface 52b is located on the front side, and emits light that has entered from the incident surface 52a.

[0028] The standing wall portion 53 is formed so as to connect the adjacent concave lens portion 51 and convex lens portion 52. The standing wall portion 53 is formed so as to intersect in the left-right direction and extend along the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 7, the standing wall portion 53 is formed so as to widen in the left-right direction from the concave lens portion 51 toward the convex lens portion 52. The standing wall portion 53 has a light diffusing portion such as a grain formed on a surface 53a on the rear side.

[0029] The light-transmitting pattern 55 is formed on the front surface of the lens panel 50. Fig. 8 also shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the light-transmitting pattern 55. The light-transmitting pattern 55 has a light-reflecting layer 55a, a coating layer 55b, and openings 55c and 55d.

[0030] The light-reflecting layer 55a is formed on the entire front surface of the transparent member 50R (see FIG. 10 ) constituting the lens panel 50, i.e., on the exit surface 51b of the concave lens portion 51, the exit surface 52b of the convex lens portion 52, the front surface 53b of the standing wall portion 53, the front surface 61a and the lower surface 61b of the upper portion 61 of the inner panel 60, and the front surface 62a and the upper surface 62b of the lower portion 62. The light-reflecting layer 55a is formed using a light-reflecting material, such as a metal material such as aluminum. The light-reflecting layer 55a may also be formed using a light-reflecting resin material, such as a white resin.

[0031] The coating layer 55b is formed over the entire surface of the light reflecting layer 55a. The coating layer 55b is formed using a material of a predetermined color, such as black resin. The coating layer 55b can be formed to have a glossy surface, for example.

[0032] Opening 55c is formed in a portion of light reflecting layer 55a and coating layer 55b that is disposed on exit surface 51b of concave lens portion 51. Opening 55d is formed in a portion of light reflecting layer 55a and coating layer 55b that is disposed on exit surface 52b of convex lens portion 52. Openings 55c and 55d are formed by penetrating light reflecting layer 55a and coating layer 55b. Openings 55c and 55d are portions that expose exit surfaces 51b and 52b from light reflecting layer 55a and coating layer 55b. Openings 55c and 55d are portions through which light emitted from exit surfaces 51b and 52b passes.

[0033] The openings 55c, 55d are formed by, for example, performing a so-called laser etching process in which a portion where the light reflecting layer 55a and the coating layer 55b are laminated is irradiated with laser light from the coating layer 55b side. In this case, the exposed portions of the light exit surfaces 51b, 52b exposed at the openings 55c, 55d may be roughened or recessed toward the back surface relative to the other portions of the light exit surfaces 51b, 52b during, for example, the laser etching process.

[0034] The openings 55c are formed in a band shape extending in the left-right direction. The openings 55c are formed so that their vertical dimension (width) is constant in the left-right direction. Multiple openings 55c are arranged in the up-down direction. The light exit surface 51b of the concave lens portion 51 is formed so that it is recessed toward the rear surface from the upper and lower ends in the up-down direction to the center. Correspondingly, the openings 55c are formed so that the opening area per unit area increases from the vertical center to both ends in the up-down direction. In other words, the opening area of ​​the openings 55c formed at the upper and lower ends in the up-down direction is larger than that of the openings 55c formed in the vertical center. As a result, the light transmission pattern 55 is formed so that the vertical end portions located on the front side of the light exit surface 51b of the concave lens portion 51 transmit a greater amount of light per unit area than the vertical center portion located on the back side. Therefore, when viewed from the front, the light-emitting state appears three-dimensional from the vertical end portions to the center, as if positioned from the front to the back.

[0035] Openings 55d are formed to extend in the vertical direction. A plurality of openings 55d are arranged in the horizontal direction. In this manner, the orientations of openings 55c and openings 55d are different between light-transmitting patterns 55 arranged on concave lens portions 51 and light-transmitting patterns 55 arranged on convex lens portions 52, i.e., they are arranged with a 90° offset.

[0036] The light-emitting surface 52b of the convex lens portion 52 is formed to protrude toward the front from the upper and lower ends toward the center in the vertical direction. Correspondingly, the opening 55d is formed so that the opening area per unit area increases from the upper and lower ends toward the center in the vertical direction. In other words, the horizontal dimension (width) decreases (becomes thinner) from the center in the vertical direction toward the upper and lower ends. Therefore, the opening 55d is formed so that the opening area increases from the upper and lower ends toward the center in the vertical direction. As a result, the light-transmitting pattern 55 is formed so that the amount of light transmitted per unit area is greater at the vertical center located on the front side of the light-emitting surface 52b of the convex lens portion 52 than at the upper and lower ends located on the rear side. Therefore, when viewed from the front side in the emitting state, the area from the vertical center to both ends in the vertical direction appears three-dimensional, as if positioned from the front side to the back side.

[0037] 9A shows a shape in which each opening extends in one direction and the width increases from both longitudinal ends to the center. In other words, the width tapers from the longitudinal center to both ends. This shape is applied to, for example, the opening 55d of the light-transmitting pattern 55 described above.

[0038] 9B, each opening extends in one direction and has a uniform width from both longitudinal ends to the center. This shape is applied to, for example, opening 55c of light-transmitting pattern 55 described above.

[0039] 9C, the circular openings are arranged in a staggered pattern so that the circular openings are offset by a radius in the left-right direction. The opening shape shown in FIG. 9C may be applied to at least one of the openings 55c, 55d of the light transmission pattern 55.

[0040] Furthermore, in the standing wall portion 53, the surface of the paint layer 55b becomes the surface 53c of the standing wall portion 53. The surface 53c of the standing wall portion 53 serves as a reflective surface 58 that reflects light that is emitted from the exit surface 51b of the concave lens portion 51 and passes through the opening 55c toward the front of the vehicle. When the light that has passed through the opening 55c is reflected by the surface 53c (reflective surface 58) of the standing wall portion 53, an image of the opening 55c is visible on the surface 53c when viewed from the front side. Note that an opening may be formed in the light-transmitting pattern 55 in the portion that is located in the standing wall portion 53.

[0041] The surface 53c of the standing wall portion 53 is positioned at a position extending from the opening 55c. In this configuration, when light passing through the opening 55c is reflected by the surface 53c of the standing wall portion 53, an image of the opening 55c is reflected on the surface 53c of the standing wall portion 53, making it appear as if the image of the opening 55c is continuous to the surface 53c. Of the standing wall portions 53 positioned at both left and right ends of the concave lens portion 51, the surface 53c of the standing wall portion 53 positioned on the inside of the vehicle can be formed to have a higher light reflectivity than the other portions. In this configuration, the image of the opening 55c reflected on the surface 53c of the standing wall portion 53 on the inside of the vehicle can be more clearly seen when viewed from outside the vehicle.

[0042] Furthermore, in the lens panel 50, a light diffusion portion 59 is formed on the entire rear surface of the transparent member 50R (see FIG. 11 ) constituting the lens panel 50. Examples of the light diffusion portion 59 include a textured surface. Alternatively, a light diffusion member may be disposed as the light diffusion portion 59. The light diffusion portion 59 may be selectively formed on the incident surface 51 a of the concave lens portion 51, the incident surface 52 a of the convex lens portion 52, the rear surface 53 a of the upright wall portion 53, or the like.

[0043] 5 and 6, the inner panel 60 supports the lens panel 50. The inner panel 60 is formed integrally with the lens panel 50. The inner panel 60 has an upper portion 61 and a lower portion 62.

[0044] The upper portion 61 supports the upper ends of the concave lens portion 51 and the convex lens portion 52. The upper portion 61 has a front surface portion 61a and a bottom surface portion 61b. The front surface portion 61a is disposed on the front side of the upper portion 61. The bottom surface portion 61b is disposed at the bottom end of the upper portion 61. The bottom surface portion 61b is disposed so as to protrude forward from the upper ends of the emission surfaces 51b, 52b. The bottom surface portion 61b is formed so as to slope upward from the upper ends of the emission surfaces 51b, 52b toward the front side.

[0045] The lower portion 62 supports the lower ends of the concave lens portion 51 and the convex lens portion 52. The lower portion 62 has a front surface portion 62a and an upper surface portion 62b. The front surface portion 62a is disposed on the front side of the lower portion 62. The upper surface portion 62b is disposed at the upper end of the lower portion 62. The upper surface portion 62b is disposed so as to protrude forward from the lower ends of the emission surfaces 51b, 52b. The upper surface portion 62b is formed so as to slope downward from the lower ends of the emission surfaces 51b, 52b toward the front side.

[0046] In the upper portion 61 of the inner panel 60, the lower surface 61b serves as a reflective surface 58 that reflects, toward the front of the vehicle, light that has been emitted from the emission surfaces 51b and 52b and passed through the openings 55c and 55d. Similarly, in the lower portion 62 of the inner panel 60, the upper surface 62b serves as a reflective surface 58 that reflects, toward the front of the vehicle, light that has been emitted from the emission surfaces 51b and 52b and passed through the openings 55c and 55d.

[0047] When light passing through the openings 55c and 55d is reflected by the lower surface portion 61b and the upper surface portion 62b, when viewed from the front side, the images of the openings 55c and 55d are visible on the lower surface portion 61b and the upper surface portion 62b.

[0048] Of the lower surface portion 61b and the upper surface portion 62b, the convex side regions 61c, 62c arranged at the upper and lower ends of the convex lens portion 52 are located in the direction in which the openings 55d of the light-transmitting pattern 55 formed in the convex lens portion 52 extend, i.e., on extensions of the openings 55d. In this case, when viewed from the front side, it is possible to visually recognize the image of the openings 55d as if they were continuing to the convex side regions 61c, 62c. Note that the convex side regions 61c, 62c can be formed to have a higher light reflectivity than other portions of the lower surface portion 61b and the upper surface portion 62b. This configuration allows the image of the openings 55d reflected in the convex side regions 61c, 62c to be more clearly visible.

[0049] The inner housing 70 supports the light source 10, the light guide 20, the inner lens 30, the reflector 40, the lens panel 50, and the inner panel 60.

[0050] The outer lens 80 is disposed on the front side, i.e., rear side, of the lens panel 50. The outer lens 80 outputs light emitted from the lens panel 50 to the outside of the vehicle lamp 100. The outer lens 80 is plate-shaped. The outer lens 80 has a shape that curves toward the rear side from the inside of the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle. The outer lens 80 is formed, for example, using a resin material that is transparent or a color similar to the lighting color.

[0051] The outer housing 90 forms a lamp chamber between itself and the outer lens 80. The lamp chamber accommodates or supports the light source 10, the light guide 20, the inner lens 30, the reflector 40, the lens panel 50, the inner panel 60, and the inner housing 70.

[0052] An example of turning on the vehicle lamp 100 configured as described above will now be described. When the driver performs a predetermined operation to turn on the tail lamp, the vehicle lamp 100 receives an operation signal from an operation device. A control circuit provided on the substrate of the light source 10 controls the light emission of the light source 10 in accordance with the received signal.

[0053] This light emission control causes light to be emitted from light-emitting surface 11 of light source 10. This light enters light-guiding section 22 from incident surface 21 of light guide 20. The light that has entered light-guiding section 22 is guided by light-guiding section 22 to enter exit section 23, where it is internally reflected by prism section 23b and emitted downward from side surface 23a.

[0054] Light emitted downward from side surface 23a of emission portion 23 enters inner lens 30 from end surfaces 31a, 32a. The light that enters inner lens 30 is internally reflected by prism portions 31p, 32p, etc., and is emitted to the front side of inner lens 30. The light that has been emitted to the front side of inner lens 30 reaches lens panel 50 and enters through incident surface 51a of concave lens portion 51 and incident surface 52a of convex lens portion 52.

[0055] 7 and 8, a portion of the light incident on the incident surface 51a (hereinafter referred to as light L1) reaches the exit surface 51b, passes through the opening 55c, and is emitted toward the front side. The light L1 that has passed through the opening 55c passes through the outer lens 80 and is emitted toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0056] 7 and 8, a portion of the light incident on the incident surface 52b (hereinafter referred to as light L2) reaches the exit surface 52b, passes through the opening 55d, and is emitted to the front side. The light L2 that has passed through the opening 55d passes through the outer lens 80 and is emitted to the rear of the vehicle.

[0057] 8, a portion of the light incident on the incident surface 51 or the incident surface 52b (hereinafter referred to as light L3) reaches the exit surface 51b or the exit surface 52b and is reflected toward the back side by the light reflecting layer 55a. The reflected light L3 is reflected at various portions and travels toward the front side again, where it is reused.

[0058] 7 and 8, a portion of the light incident on the incident surface 51a (hereinafter referred to as light L4) reaches the exit surface 51b, passes through the opening 55c, and is emitted toward the front. The light L4 that passes through the opening 55c is reflected toward the front by the surface 53b of the standing wall portion 53, and reaches the outer lens 80. This light L4 passes through the outer lens 80 and is emitted toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0059] 6 and 8, a portion of the light incident on the incident surface 52a (hereinafter referred to as light L5) reaches the exit surface 52b, passes through the opening 55d, and is emitted toward the front. The light L5 that passes through the opening 55d is reflected toward the front by the lower surface 61b or the upper surface 62b of the inner panel 60, and reaches the outer lens 80. This light L5 passes through the outer lens 80 and is emitted toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0060] As described above, the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment includes a light source unit U having a light source 10 and emitting light from the light source 10 toward the front, a lens panel 50 arranged on the front side of the light source unit U and having lens sections with a concave lens section 51 recessed toward the back side and a convex lens section 52 protruding toward the front side, and emitting light from the light source unit U toward the front from emission surfaces 51b, 52b of the lens sections (51, 52), and an outer lens 80 arranged on the front side of the lens panel 50 and emitting light emitted from the lens panel 50 toward the front, and a light transmission pattern 55 having openings 55c, 55d shaped to correspond to the shapes of the lens sections (51, 52) is formed on the front surface of the lens panel 50.

[0061] According to this configuration, the lens panel 50 has a concave lens portion 51 and a convex lens portion 52, and a light-transmitting pattern 55 having openings 55c and 55d shaped to correspond to the shapes of the lens portions (51, 52) is formed on the front surface, so that a three-dimensional light-emitting state with a sense of depth can be achieved when viewed from the front side.

[0062] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment, the light transmission pattern 55 is formed so that the portion of the lens portion (51, 52) located on the front side transmits more light per unit area than the portion located on the back side.

[0063] With this configuration, when viewed from the front side, the light emission state is such that the amount of light transmitted decreases from the front side (near side) to the back side (deep side), thereby realizing a three-dimensional light emission state with a sense of depth.

[0064] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment, the light-transmitting pattern 55 has a laminated portion formed of a light-reflecting layer 55a arranged on the front surface of the lens portion (51, 52) and a paint layer 55b laminated on the light-reflecting layer 55a, and openings 55c, 55d are formed by penetrating the light-reflecting layer 55a and the paint layer 55b.

[0065] With this configuration, the light reflecting layer 55a is formed on the front surface of the lens portion (51, 52), so that light that does not pass through the openings 55c, 55d can be returned to the rear side and reused. In addition, the paint layer 55b is laminated on the light reflecting layer 55a, so that the light reflecting layer 55a can be hidden when viewed from the front side.

[0066] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment, the lens panel 50 has a light diffusion portion 59 on the incident surface of the lens portions (51, 52).

[0067] According to this configuration, the light diffusion portion 59 is provided on the entrance surface of the lens portion of the lens panel 50, so that the light incident on the lens panel 50 can be diffused and emitted from the exit surfaces 51 b, 52 b and the openings 55 c, 55 d. This allows uniform light to be emitted toward the outer lens 80.

[0068] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment, the lens panel 50 has a reflecting surface 58 around the lens portion (51, 52) that reflects light emitted from the emission surfaces 51b, 52b toward the front of the vehicle.

[0069] According to this configuration, a reflective surface 58 is provided around the lens portion (51, 52), so that in the light-emitting state, the observer can see the light reflected by the reflective surface 58 when viewed from the front side.

[0070] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment, the lens panel 50 has concave lens portions 51 and convex lens portions 52 arranged alternately in at least one of the left-right and up-down directions when mounted on the vehicle, and has a vertical wall portion 53 connecting adjacent concave lens portions 51 and convex lens portions 52, and the reflective surface 58 is formed on the surface 53b of the vertical wall portion 53.

[0071] According to this configuration, in the light emitting state, the light reflected by the surface 53b of the standing wall portion 53 can be visually recognized by the observer.

[0072] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment, the upright wall portion 53 arranged on the vehicle inner side of the concave lens portion 51 has a surface 53b formed so as to have a higher light reflectance than other portions.

[0073] According to this configuration, in the light-emitting state, the image of the opening 55c reflected on the surface 53c of the standing wall portion 53 can be more clearly seen by an observer looking from outside the vehicle.

[0074] The vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment further includes an inner panel 60 that is positioned on the front side of the lens portion (51, 52) and supports the lens panel 50, and the reflective surface 58 is formed on the surface (lower surface portion 61b, upper surface portion 62b) of the inner panel 60 facing the lens portion (51, 52).

[0075] According to this configuration, the light reflected by the surfaces (lower surface portion 61b, upper surface portion 62b) of the inner panel 60 on the lens portion (51, 52) side can be visually recognized by the observer.

[0076] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment, the light-transmitting pattern 55 is formed so that the openings 55c and 55d that transmit light extend in one direction, and the reflective surface 58 is positioned on an extension of the openings 55c and 55d.

[0077] According to this configuration, when light passing through openings 55c and 55d is reflected by reflective surface 58 in the light-emitting state, images of openings 55c and 55d are projected onto reflective surface 58, making it possible to visually recognize that the images of openings 55c and 55d are connected to reflective surface 58.

[0078] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment, the portions of the reflective surface 58 at the ends of the openings 55c and 55d are formed so as to have a higher light reflectance than the other portions.

[0079] With this configuration, the images of the openings 55c and 55d reflected on the reflecting surface 58 can be more clearly seen in the portion of the reflecting surface 58 at the end of which the openings 55c and 55d extend.

[0080] 12 to 16 are perspective views showing examples of the overall configuration of a vehicle lamp, each showing the vehicle lamp as viewed from the front side.

[0081] 12 has the configuration described above. That is, the vehicle lamp 100 has a light transmission pattern 55 in which concave lens portions 51 and convex lens portions 52 are arranged alternately in the left-right direction, and an opening 55c is provided on the light exit surface 51b of the concave lens portion 51, and an opening 55d is provided on the light exit surface 52b of the convex lens portion 52.

[0082] 13 is configured such that the concave lens portions 51 and the convex lens portions 52 are alternately arranged in the left-right direction as well as the up-down direction. In this way, the arrangement of the concave lens portions 51 and the convex lens portions 52 is not limited to the configuration described above.

[0083] 14 shows a vehicle lamp 100B in which a lens panel 50B is configured to have a portion (convex lens portion) that protrudes toward the front side of the lens panel 50B and a portion (concave lens portion) that is recessed toward the back side of the lens panel 50B by combining triangular light exit surfaces 54B. In this manner, a configuration in which one concave lens portion and one convex lens portion are formed by multiple light exit surfaces may be used. The shape of the light exit surface is not limited to a triangular shape, and may be another type of polygon, such as a square.

[0084] 15 shows a vehicle lamp 100C in which a concave lens portion 51C is formed in a groove shape relative to a convex lens portion 52C. In the vehicle lamp 100C, light is emitted from the entire light-emitting surface of the convex lens portion 52C, and the entire light-emitting surface of the concave lens portion 51C is light-blocking. Furthermore, the convex lens portion 52C, which is located on the lower side in the vertical direction, also emits light from its lower surface, which is located below the light-emitting surface.

[0085] Vehicle lamp 100D shown in Fig. 16 has a configuration in which concave lens portions 51D are formed in a groove shape relative to convex lens portions 52D, similar to vehicle lamp 100C shown in Fig. 15. In vehicle lamp 100D, the area of ​​the light exit surface per convex lens portion 52D is smaller than in vehicle lamp 100C. In this configuration, light is emitted from the entire convex lens portion 52D, and the entire light exit surface of concave lens portion 51C is shielded from light.

[0086] As shown in the above-mentioned vehicle lighting fixtures 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D, by combining concave lens portions and convex lens portions and providing a light-transmitting pattern with openings shaped to correspond to the shapes of each lens portion, it is possible to realize a three-dimensional light-emitting state with a sense of depth.

[0087] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the light source unit U is described as having a light source 10, a light guide 20, and an inner lens 30, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, the light source unit U may be configured without at least one of the light guide 20 and the inner lens 30.

[0088] L1, L2, L3, L4, L5...light, U...light source unit, 1...vehicle, 2...vehicle body, 3...traveling device, 4...tire, 7...back door, 10...light source, 11...light emitting surface, 20...light guide, 21, 31a, 32a, 51a, 52a...incident surface, 22...light guide section, 23...exit section, 23a...side surface, 23b, 31p, 32p...prism section, 30...inner lens, 31...rod-shaped section, 31b, 32b, 51b, 52b, 54B...exit surface, 32...plate-shaped section, 40...reflector, 41, 58...reflective surface, 50, 50B...lens panel, 50R...transparent member, 51, 51 C, 51D...concave lens portion, 52, 52C, 52D...convex lens portion, 53...standing wall portion, 53a, 53b, 53c...surface, 55...light transmission pattern, 55a...light reflective layer, 55b...painted layer, 55c, 55d...opening, 59...light diffusion portion, 60...inner panel, 61...upper portion, 61a, 62a...front portion, 61b...lower surface portion, 61c, 62c...convex side region, 62...lower portion, 62b...upper surface portion, 70...inner housing, 80...outer lens, 90...outer housing, 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D...vehicle lamp

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp comprising: a light source unit having a light source and emitting light from the light source to the front side; a lens panel arranged on the front side of the light source unit and having a lens section with a concave lens section recessed on the rear side and a convex lens section protruding to the front side, and emitting light from the light source unit to the front side from the emission surface of the lens section; and an outer lens arranged on the front side of the lens panel and emitting light emitted from the lens panel to the front side, wherein a light transmission pattern having an opening having a shape corresponding to the shape of the lens section is formed on the surface on the front side of the lens panel.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light transmission pattern is formed so that a portion located on the front side of the lens portion transmits a greater amount of light per unit area than a portion located on the rear side.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting pattern has a laminated portion formed of a light-reflecting layer disposed on the front surface of the lens portion and a paint layer laminated on the light-reflecting layer, and the opening is formed by penetrating the light-reflecting layer and the paint layer.

4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3, wherein the lens panel has a light diffusion section on the incident surface of the lens section.

5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the lens panel has a reflective surface around the lens portion that reflects the light emitted from the emission surface toward the front of the vehicle.

6. A vehicle lamp as claimed in claim 5, wherein the lens panel has a vertical wall portion connecting adjacent concave lens portions and convex lens portions, the concave lens portions and the convex lens portions being alternately arranged in at least one of the left-right direction and the up-down direction when mounted on a vehicle, and the reflective surface is formed on a surface of the vertical wall portion.

7. The vehicular lamp according to claim 6, wherein the upright wall portion disposed on the vehicle inner side of the concave lens portion is formed so as to have a surface with a higher light reflectance than other portions.

8. The vehicular lamp according to claim 5, further comprising an inner panel arranged on a front side of the lens portion and supporting the lens panel, the reflective surface being formed on a surface of the inner panel facing the lens portion.

9. The vehicular lamp according to claim 5, wherein the light-transmitting pattern is formed so that an opening for transmitting light extends in one direction, and the reflective surface is disposed at a position on an extension of the opening.

10. The vehicle lamp according to claim 8, wherein a portion of the reflective surface to which the opening extends is formed so as to have a higher light reflectance than other portions.

Images