Vehicle lamp

Abstract

A vehicle lamp according to the present invention comprises: a plurality of light sources that each emit light; a reflector that is provided with a plurality of reflection parts that respectively reflect the light emitted from each of the plurality of light sources, each reflection part having a first reflection surface for a sign and a second reflection surface for drawing on a road surface; a primary lens that has a plurality of pattern formation parts that form a drawing pattern; a first projection lens that projects light for a sign; and a second projection lens that projects light for drawing. Light reflected by the first reflection surface is radiated from the first projection lens, and light reflected by the second reflection surface and emitted from the pattern formation parts is radiated from the second projection lens.

Description

Vehicle lighting fixtures

[0001] The present invention relates to a technical field of a vehicle lamp having a configuration for emitting light that projects a drawing pattern onto a road surface.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There is a type of vehicle lamp in which a lamp unit capable of projecting a drawing pattern onto a lamp chamber formed by a lamp housing and a cover is disposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1, light emitted from a light source of a lamp unit is incident on a reflector and a lens, the light incident on the reflector is emitted as light for a turn signal lamp, and the light incident on the lens is emitted as light for drawing. The light incident on the lens is controlled and irradiated by the lens, and is projected onto the road surface as three drawing patterns at different distances from the vehicle.

[0004] In a vehicle lamp having such a lamp unit, one lamp unit emits light with two different functions, making it possible to improve functionality without reducing the number of parts or increasing the size.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-29215

[0006] In a vehicle lamp having a lamp unit such as that described above, light having two different functions is emitted, and it is therefore desirable that each light be controlled with high precision and directed toward the appropriate position.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the accuracy of control over light having different functions.

[0008] The vehicle lamp of the present invention comprises a plurality of light sources each emitting light, a reflector having a plurality of reflective portions that separately reflect the light emitted from the plurality of light sources, the reflective portions having a first reflective surface for signs and a second reflective surface for drawing on the road surface, a primary lens having a plurality of pattern forming portions that form drawing patterns, a first projection lens that projects the light for signs, and a second projection lens that projects the light for drawing, wherein the light reflected by the first reflective surface is irradiated from the first projection lens, and the light reflected by the second reflective surface and emitted from the pattern forming portion is irradiated from the second projection lens.

[0009] As a result, light that has been reflected and controlled by the first reflecting surface is irradiated in a controlled manner by the first projection lens, and light that has been reflected and controlled by the second reflecting surface is irradiated in a controlled manner by the second projection lens via a pattern forming section that forms a drawing pattern.

[0010] According to the present invention, light reflected and controlled by the first reflecting surface is controlled and irradiated by the first projection lens, and light reflected and controlled by the second reflecting surface is controlled and irradiated by the second projection lens through a pattern forming section that forms a drawing pattern, so that light emitted from the light source is controlled by the first reflecting surface and the first projection lens, and also by the second reflecting surface and the second projection lens, thereby improving the accuracy of control over light having different functions.

[0011] 2 to 10 show an embodiment of the vehicle lamp of the present invention, and this figure is a side view of the vehicle lamp showing a cross section of the lamp outer casing. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the lamp unit. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lamp unit. FIG. 3 is a front view of the reflector. FIG. 4 is a view showing the path of light emitted from the light source as viewed from the side. FIG. 5 is a view showing the path of light emitted from the light source as viewed from above. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which a drawing pattern is drawn on a road surface. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the drawing unit. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the primary lens in the drawing unit as viewed from a direction different from that of FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is a view showing the path of light emitted from the light source in the drawing unit as viewed from above.

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] In the following, the front, rear, up, down, left and right directions will be described assuming that the direction of light emitted from the vehicle lamp is the front. However, the front, rear, up, down, left and right directions shown below are for the convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not limited to these directions in terms of implementation.

[0014] The vehicle lamp 1 comprises a lamp housing 2 having an opening at the front end and a cover 3 attached to cover the opening of the lamp housing 2 (see FIG. 1). The cover 3 is attached to the lamp housing 2 to form a lamp outer casing 4, the internal space of which is formed as a lamp chamber 5.

[0015] A lamp unit 6 is disposed in the lamp chamber 5. The lamp unit 6 has a base plate 7, a heat sink 8, a substrate 9, a reflector 10, a primary lens 11, a first projection lens 12, and a second projection lens 13 (see FIGS. 1 to 3).

[0016] The base plate 7 is formed in a horizontally elongated shape facing substantially vertically and has a placement notch 7a that opens forward. The base plate 7 is placed in the lamp chamber 5, for example, with its front end slightly downwards.

[0017] The heat sink 8 is made of a metal material and has a horizontally elongated substrate base 14 and a plurality of heat dissipation fins 15 protruding downward from the substrate base 14. The substrate base 14 is attached to the base plate 7 from above, spanning the rear portion of the placement cutout 7a on both sides, and its upper surface 14a is inclined downward and rearward relative to the upper surface 7b of the base plate 7. The heat dissipation fins 15 are arranged at regular intervals in the left-right direction. The heat dissipation fins 15 are located below the base plate 7 except for their upper ends.

[0018] In the lamp unit 6, as described above, the base plate 7 is arranged in the lamp chamber 5 with the front side slightly lowered, and the upper surface 14a of the board base 14 faces, for example, directly upward.

[0019] In the vehicle lamp 1, the base plate 7 and the heat sink 8 may be integrally formed.

[0020] The substrate 9 is attached to the upper surface of the substrate base 14 of the heat sink 8. The substrate 9 is formed in a horizontally long shape, and a plurality of light sources 16, for example, five light sources 16, are mounted spaced apart on the left and right sides of the upper surface of the substrate 9. The number of light sources 16 is not limited to five, and can be any number as long as it is plural.

[0021] For example, a light emitting diode (LED) is used as the light source 16, and the heat dissipation fins 15 of the heat sink 8 are positioned directly below the light source 16. A driving current is supplied to the light source 16 from a power supply circuit via a connector (not shown) mounted on the substrate 9. The intensities of the lights emitted from the light sources 16 are set to be the same, for example.

[0022] The reflector 10 is formed in a horizontally elongated shape and is integrally formed with an attachment plate portion 17 that is attached to the substrate base 14 via the substrate 9 or to the base plate 7 via the substrate 9 and the substrate base 14, and a main body portion 18 that protrudes upward from the attachment plate portion 17.

[0023] The mounting plate portions 17 are provided as portions corresponding to the rear end and both left and right ends of the reflector 10, and are attached to the substrate base 14 by screws or the like.

[0024] The main body 18 is provided with, for example, five reflecting portions 19 spaced apart from one another on the left and right sides (see FIG. 4 ), the same number as the number of light sources 16. Each reflecting portion 19 is open forward and downward, and each reflecting portion 19 has a first reflecting surface 20 and a second reflecting surface 21 arranged vertically.

[0025] The first reflecting surface 20 is a reflecting surface that reflects light as a turn signal lamp, and the second reflecting surface 21 is a reflecting surface that reflects light as a drawing lamp.

[0026] The reflecting portions 19 are formed as a first reflecting portion 19A, a second reflecting portion 19B, a third reflecting portion 19C, a fourth reflecting portion 19D, and a fifth reflecting portion 19E in that order from the inside of the vehicle in the left-right direction. The five reflecting portions 19 are positioned corresponding to the light sources 16, respectively.

[0027] The second reflecting surfaces 21 are reflective surfaces for directing light to image positions from the closest to the vehicle to the furthest from the first reflecting portion 19A, and the second reflecting surface 21 of the first reflecting portion 19A is a second reflecting surface 21A for proximity for directing light to image positions closest to the vehicle. Therefore, the second reflecting surface 21E of the fifth reflecting portion 19E is a second reflecting surface for distance for directing light to image positions furthest from the vehicle, and the second reflecting surface 21B of the second reflecting portion 19B, the second reflecting surface 21C of the third reflecting portion 19C, and the second reflecting surface 21D of the fourth reflecting portion 19D are reflective surfaces for directing light to image positions between the light reflected by the second reflecting surface 21A and the light reflected by the second reflecting surface 21E, in order.

[0028] In the first reflecting portion 19A, the second reflecting surface 21 is positioned on the upper side and the first reflecting surface 20 is positioned on the lower side, and in the second reflecting portion 19B to the fifth reflecting portion 19E, the first reflecting surface 20 is positioned on the upper side and the second reflecting surface 21 is positioned on the lower side.

[0029] The primary lens 11 is attached to the base plate 7 and positioned in front of the reflector 10 (see FIGS. 1 to 3), for example.

[0030] The primary lens 11 functions as a shade that blocks part of the light, and is formed by integrally molding each part from a transparent resin material. The primary lens 11 has a base part 22 that faces approximately in the front-to-rear direction, a pair of connecting parts 23 that protrude forward from both left and right ends of the base part 22, attachment parts 24 that protrude outward in the left-to-right direction from the front ends of the connecting parts 23, and a joining part 25 that protrudes approximately rearward from the lower ends of the attachment parts 24. One side of the joining part 25 is continuous with the lower end of the connecting part 23.

[0031] The base portion 22 is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape and has a shallow recess 22a that opens forward. The base portion 22 is provided with the same number of pattern forming portions 26 as the number of light sources 16, for example, five pattern forming portions 26, spaced apart from one another on the left and right. The pattern forming portions 26 are formed in a shape that convexes substantially forward, and are provided in order from the inside of the vehicle in the left-right direction as a first pattern forming portion 26A, a second pattern forming portion 26B, a third pattern forming portion 26C, a fourth pattern forming portion 26D, and a fifth pattern forming portion 26E. The five pattern forming portions 26 are each positioned in front of the reflective portion 19 of the reflector 10. The first pattern forming portion 26A is positioned above the other pattern forming portions 26.

[0032] The pattern forming portion 26 has a light transmitting surface 26a facing substantially forward and an outer peripheral surface 26b that is continuous with the outer periphery of the light transmitting surface 26a and is inclined relative to the light transmitting surface 26a. The outer periphery of the rear edge of the outer peripheral surface 26b is larger than the outer periphery of the light transmitting surface 26a.

[0033] In the base portion 22, the portion above the recess 22a is provided as a transmission portion 27 through which light is transmitted without being controlled, and the portion where the recess 22a is formed is provided as a control portion .

[0034] The first pattern forming unit 26A is a near-field pattern forming unit that emits light for drawing at the position closest to the vehicle, while the second pattern forming unit 26B, the third pattern forming unit 26C, the fourth pattern forming unit 26D, and the fifth pattern forming unit 26E are pattern forming units that emit light for drawing from the side closer to the vehicle in that order. Therefore, the fifth pattern forming unit 26E is a far-field pattern forming unit that emits light for drawing at the position farthest from the vehicle.

[0035] The pattern forming portion 26 is formed in a protruding shape that protrudes from the base portion 22 toward the second projection lens 13, but the height in the protruding direction is set to be equal to or less than the depth of the recess 22a.

[0036] By making the height of the pattern forming portion 26 equal to or less than the depth of the recess 22a in this way, the pattern forming portion 26 does not protrude toward the second projection lens 13 from the surface (front surface) of the base portion 22 facing the second projection lens 13, so the primary lens 11 becomes thinner and the vehicle lamp 1 can be made smaller and lighter.

[0037] The mounting portion 24 has a first lens mounting portion 24a positioned on the upper side and a second lens mounting portion 24b positioned on the lower side, with the first lens mounting portion 24a being positioned forward of the second lens mounting portion 24b.

[0038] The primary lens 11 is attached by means of screws or the like to both the left and right sides of the front end of the base plate 7 at the coupling portions 25 , and the base portion 22 is positioned in front of the main body portion 18 of the reflector 10 .

[0039] The first projection lens 12 is formed in a horizontally elongated shape and is a lens that projects light as a turn signal lamp. The first projection lens 12 is provided with mounting ends 12a, both of which are formed in a flat plate shape at the left and right ends, and the same number of lens portions 12b as the number of light sources 16, for example, five, are provided between the mounting ends 12a. The five lens portions 12b are provided consecutively on the left and right and are formed, for example, to be the same size.

[0040] In this way, the first projection lens 12 is formed integrally with multiple lens portions 12b, which increases the uniformity of the light when light is emitted simultaneously from the multiple lens portions 12b, improves the design when viewed from the outside, and also reduces the number of parts.

[0041] The first projection lens 12 is attached to the primary lens 11 by connecting the attachment end 12a to the first lens attachment portion 24a by screwing or the like. When the first projection lens 12 is attached to the primary lens 11, the optical axis passing through the lens portion 12b is oriented to extend substantially in the front-to-rear direction.

[0042] The second projection lens 13 is formed in a horizontally elongated shape and is a lens that projects light from a drawing lamp. The second projection lens 13 is provided with both left and right end portions formed as flat plate-shaped attachment end portions 13a, and the same number of lens portions 13b as the light sources 16, for example, five, are provided between the attachment end portions 13a. The five lens portions 13b are provided consecutively on the left and right.

[0043] In this way, the second projection lens 13 is formed integrally with multiple lens portions 13b, which increases the uniformity of the light when light is emitted simultaneously from the multiple lens portions 13b, improves the design when viewed from the outside, and also reduces the number of parts.

[0044] The second projection lens 13 is attached to the primary lens 11 by connecting the attachment end 13a to the second lens attachment portion 24b by screwing or the like. When attached to the primary lens 11, the second projection lens 13 is tilted downward toward the front, with the lens portion 13b located on the inner side of the vehicle in the left-right direction being the rearmost, and the lens portions 13b being positioned closer to the front as one moves outward. When the second projection lens 13 is attached to the primary lens 11, the optical axis passing through the lens portion 13b is tilted downward toward the front with respect to the fore-and-aft direction.

[0045] In the vehicle lamp 1 configured as described above, when light is emitted from each of the light sources 16, the emitted light is reflected by the first reflecting surface 20 and the second reflecting surface 21 of the reflector 10 toward the base portion 22 of the primary lens 11. At this time, light is emitted from the five light sources 16 simultaneously, for example.

[0046] The light P reflected by the first reflecting surface 20 of the reflector 10 is collimated, transmitted through the transmitting portion 27 of the primary lens 11, and incident on the lens portion 12b of the first projection lens 12 (see FIG. 5). The light P is controlled by the lens portion 12b, transmitted through the cover 3, and radiated to the outside as light for a turn signal lamp. However, in the vehicle lamp 1, the light P may be radiated as light for a backup lamp, for example.

[0047] On the other hand, the light Q reflected by the second reflecting surface 21 of the reflector 10 is converted into parallel light and enters the pattern forming portion 26 of the primary lens 11 (see FIG. 6 ). Of the light Q incident on the pattern forming portion 26, light Q1 that reaches the light transmitting surface 26a is transmitted through the light transmitting surface 26a, and light Q2 that reaches the outer peripheral surface 26b is internally reflected (total reflected) twice consecutively and transmitted backward from the base portion 22. Therefore, of the light Q, only light Q1 that reaches the light transmitting surface 26a is emitted forward from the pattern forming portion 26, and only light Q1 is incident on the lens portion 13b of the second projection lens 13.

[0048] Light Q1 is controlled by lens portion 13b, transmitted through cover 3, and emitted to the outside as drawing lamp light. At this time, light Q1 transmitted through first pattern forming portion 26A, second pattern forming portion 26B, third pattern forming portion 26C, fourth pattern forming portion 26D, and fifth pattern forming portion 26E is drawn on road surface 200 as drawing patterns 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, and 30E in order from the position closest to vehicle 100 (see FIG. 7).

[0049] In the vehicle lamp 1, as described above, the second reflective surface 21A for near range is positioned above the first reflective surface 20 in the first reflective portion 19A, and the second reflective surface 21E for far range is positioned below the first reflective surface 20 in the fifth reflective portion 19E.

[0050] Therefore, since the second reflective surface 21A for near-field use is positioned above the first reflective surface 20 and the second reflective surface 21E for far-field use is positioned below the first reflective surface 20, light heading toward the area closest to the vehicle 100 can be easily reflected downward by the second reflective surface 21A for near-field use, and light heading toward the area farthest from the vehicle 100 can be easily reflected upward by the second reflective surface 21, making it possible to easily and reliably irradiate light as a drawing pattern toward each area.

[0051] Furthermore, as described above, by internally reflecting a portion of the light emitted from the light source 16 at the outer peripheral surface 26b and using only the light Q1 transmitted through the light-transmitting surface 26a to draw on the road surface 200, the light used to draw is clarified, and a clear drawing pattern can be formed.

[0052] As described above, the vehicle lamp 1 is provided with a reflector 10 having a first reflecting surface 20 for signs and a second reflecting surface 21 for drawing, and a primary lens 11 having a plurality of pattern forming portions 26 that form drawing patterns, and light reflected by the first reflecting surface 20 is irradiated from the first projection lens 12, while light reflected by the second reflecting surface 21 and emitted from the pattern forming portions 26 is irradiated from the second projection lens 13.

[0053] Therefore, the light reflected and controlled by the first reflecting surface 20 is controlled and irradiated by the first projection lens 12, and the light reflected by the second reflecting surface 21 is controlled and irradiated by the second projection lens 13 via the pattern forming unit 26 that forms the drawing pattern. As a result, the light emitted from the light source 16 is controlled by the first reflecting surface 20 and the first projection lens 12, and also by the second reflecting surface 21 and the second projection lens 13, thereby improving the accuracy of control of light having different functions.

[0054] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 1, the primary lens 11 is formed from a resin material, and the primary lens 11 is provided with a transmissive portion 27 through which light reflected by the first reflecting surface 20 passes, and a control portion 28 having a pattern forming portion 26, and the transmissive portion 27 and the control portion 28 are formed integrally.

[0055] Therefore, since the transmission section 27 through which the light reflected by the first reflecting surface 20 is transmitted and the control section 28 that controls the light reflected by the second reflecting surface 21 are formed integrally, the manufacturing cost of the vehicle lamp 1 can be reduced and the size can be made smaller by reducing the number of parts.

[0056] Furthermore, the primary lens 11 is provided with a mounting portion 24 formed integrally with a transmission portion 27 and a control portion 28 , and the first projection lens 12 and the second projection lens 13 are attached to the mounting portion 24 .

[0057] Therefore, since the transmitting portion 27, the control portion 28, and the mounting portion 24 are formed integrally and both the first projection lens 12 and the second projection lens 13 are attached to the primary lens 11, no dedicated parts are required for attaching the first projection lens 12 and the second projection lens 13, which enables further reduction in manufacturing costs and further miniaturization of the vehicle lamp 1.

[0058] Furthermore, the first projection lens 12 is provided with a plurality of lens portions 12b through which light beams incident from the plurality of pattern forming portions 26 are emitted, and the lens portions 12b are all the same size.

[0059] Therefore, since light is emitted from each of the lens portions 12b of the same size, the uniformity of the light emitted from the first projection lens 12 can be improved.

[0060] Although not shown, in the vehicle lamp 1, for example, the pattern forming portion 26 of the primary lens 11 may be provided as an extension that extends toward the second projection lens 13 and protrudes greatly, and the outer peripheral surface of the extension may be formed as a total reflection surface. The tip surface (light transmitting surface) of the extension is located close to the rear surface of the second projection lens 13, for example.

[0061] By providing such an extension portion, the probability that light incident on the pattern forming portion 26 will be internally reflected (total reflected) at least once on the outer surface (total reflection surface) of the extension portion increases, making it easier to uniformize the emitted light and making it possible to irradiate uniform light from the second projection lens 13.

[0062] Similarly, the transmissive portion 27 of the primary lens 11 may be provided as an extension that extends toward the first projection lens 12 and protrudes greatly, and the tip surface of the extension may be positioned, for example, close to the rear surface of the first projection lens 12. This increases the probability that light incident on the transmissive portion 27 will be internally reflected (total reflected) at least once on the outer peripheral surface (total reflection surface) of the extension, making it easier to homogenize the emitted light and enabling uniform light to be irradiated from the first projection lens 12.

[0063] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 1, although not shown, it is possible to reflect light emitted as leaked light from the primary lens 11 by a predetermined member, such as an extension, arranged inside the lamp chamber 5 and reuse it as light emitted from the first projection lens 12. Specifically, it is possible to configure the leaked light emitted from the primary lens 11, for example, the leaked light that is not totally reflected by the outer peripheral surface 26b of the pattern forming portion 26, to be reflected by the rear surface of an extension or the like and made to be incident on the first reflecting surface 20 of the reflector 10, and then to be reflected again by the first reflecting surface 20 and made to be incident on the first projection lens 12 and to be emitted from the first projection lens 12.

[0064] The light reflecting member is not limited to the extension, but may be another member disposed in the lamp chamber 5. For example, a part of the inner surface of the cover 3 may be formed as a reflective surface, and the cover 3 having this reflective surface may be used as the light reflecting member.

[0065] In this way, the leaked light emitted from the primary lens 11 is reused and emitted from the first projection lens 12, thereby making it possible to effectively utilize light and improve brightness.

[0066] Although the above example shows a case where a plurality of light sources 16 are simultaneously turned on, the vehicle lamp 1 may be in a sequential emission state where the light sources 16 are turned on in order.

[0067] In the sequential emission state, light is emitted in order from the inner light source 16 in the left-right direction of the vehicle 100, first from the first pattern forming portion 26A, then from the second pattern forming portion 26B while light is being emitted from the first pattern forming portion 26A, then from the third pattern forming portion 26C while light is being emitted from the first pattern forming portion 26A and the second pattern forming portion 26B, subsequently from the fourth pattern forming portion 26D while light is being emitted from the first pattern forming portion 26A, the second pattern forming portion 26B, and the third pattern forming portion 26C, and finally from the fifth pattern forming portion 26E while light is being emitted from the first pattern forming portion 26A, the second pattern forming portion 26B, the third pattern forming portion 26C, and the fourth pattern forming portion 26D. Therefore, the lights are turned on in sequence at regular intervals from the inside to the outside in the left-right direction of the vehicle 100.

[0068] Next, the rendering unit 50 will be described (see FIGS. 8 to 10).

[0069] The imaging unit 50 can be used in combination with other marker light units that emit light as turn signal lamps or backup lamps.

[0070] The imaging unit 50 includes a heat sink (not shown), a substrate 51 , a primary lens 52 , and a projection lens 53 .

[0071] The substrate 51 is formed in a horizontally elongated shape and is attached to the heat sink facing forward and backward. A plurality of light sources 54, for example, three light sources 54, are mounted on the front surface of the substrate 51, spaced apart from each other on the left and right. The number of light sources 16 is not limited to three, and can be any number as long as it is plural.

[0072] For example, a light emitting diode is used as the light source 54. A driving current is supplied to the light source 54 from a power supply circuit via a connector (not shown) mounted on the substrate 51. The intensities of the lights emitted from the light sources 54 are set to be the same, for example.

[0073] The primary lens 52 is disposed in front of the substrate 51. The primary lens 52 is formed by integrally molding each part from a transparent resin material. The primary lens 52 has a substantially flat base portion 55 facing substantially in the front-to-rear direction, a plurality of incident projections 56 each protruding rearward from the base portion 55, and a plurality of pattern forming portions 57 each protruding forward from the base portion 55.

[0074] The base portion 55 is formed in a horizontally elongated shape. The incident protrusions 56 are provided spaced apart on the left and right sides, and the number of the incident protrusions 56 is the same as the number of the light sources 54 (for example, three), and the outer periphery of the incident protrusions 56 decreases toward the rear, for example, the outer surface is curved. The center of the incident protrusions 56 is positioned opposite the light sources 54. The incident protrusions 56 have the function of converting the light emitted from the light sources 54 into parallel light.

[0075] The pattern forming portions 57 are each located in front of the incident protrusion 56. The pattern forming portion 57 has a control protrusion 58 formed in a forward-convex truncated quadrangular pyramid shape, and the front surface of the control protrusion 58 is formed as, for example, a rectangular light transmitting surface 58a, and the outer peripheral surface 58b is formed with four trapezoidal shapes that are continuous in the circumferential direction. The outer peripheral surface 58b is formed as an inclined surface that is inclined at, for example, 45 degrees with respect to the light transmitting surface 58a. Note that the inclination angle of the outer peripheral surface 58b with respect to the light transmitting surface 58a is preferably 45 degrees, but may be any angle other than 45 degrees.

[0076] The pattern forming section 57 is provided as a first pattern forming section 57A, a second pattern forming section 57B, and a third pattern forming section 57C in that order from the inside of the vehicle 100 in the left-right direction. The first pattern forming section 57A is a near-field pattern forming section that emits light for drawing to the position closest to the vehicle 100, and the second pattern forming section 57B and the third pattern forming section 57C are pattern forming sections that emit light for drawing from positions closer to the vehicle 100, respectively. Therefore, the third pattern forming section 57C is a far-field pattern forming section that emits light for drawing to the position farthest from the vehicle 100.

[0077] The light transmitting surface 58a of the first pattern forming portion 57A is positioned forward of the light transmitting surface 58a of the second pattern forming portion 57B, and the light transmitting surface 58a of the second pattern forming portion 57B is positioned forward of the light transmitting surface 58a of the third pattern forming portion 57C.

[0078] The first pattern forming portion 57A has an intermediate portion 59 between the base portion 55 and the incident protrusion 56. The intermediate portion 59 is formed in a quadrangular pyramid shape, and a peripheral surface 59a is formed as an inclined surface. The inclination angle of the peripheral surface 59a with respect to the light transmitting surface 58a is larger than the inclination angle of the outer peripheral surface 58b with respect to the light transmitting surface 58a.

[0079] By forming the first pattern forming portion 57A in this way into a shape having an intermediate portion 59, it is possible to set the inclination angle of the outer peripheral surface 58b to the desired angle with respect to the light transmitting surface 58a, and to position the light transmitting surface 58a close to the projection lens 53 without excessively enlarging the outer shape of the first pattern forming portion 57A, and it is possible to form the first pattern forming portion 57A into the desired shape while ensuring the miniaturization of the primary lens 52.

[0080] The projection lens 53 is formed in a horizontally elongated shape and has the same number of lens portions 53a as the number of light sources 54, for example, three. The projection lens 53 is disposed in front of the primary lens 52, and the three lens portions 53a are arranged side by side on the left and right at positions facing the pattern forming portion 57.

[0081] In the imaging unit 50 configured as described above, when light is emitted from each of the light sources 54, the emitted light is incident on the incident protrusions 56 of the primary lens 52 (see FIG. 10 ). At this time, light is emitted from the three light sources 54 simultaneously, for example.

[0082] The light R incident on the incident protrusion 56 is collimated and passes through the base portion 55 to be incident on the pattern forming portion 57. Of the light R incident on the pattern forming portion 57, light R1 that reaches the light transmitting surface 58a is transmitted through the light transmitting surface 58a, and light R2 that reaches the outer peripheral surface 58b is internally reflected (total reflected) twice in succession and transmitted backward from the incident protrusion 56. Therefore, of the light R, only light R1 that reaches the light transmitting surface 58a is emitted forward from the pattern forming portion 57, and only light R1 is incident on the lens portion 53a of the projection lens 53.

[0083] The light R1 is controlled by the lens portion 53a, transmitted through the cover 3, and irradiated to the outside as light from a lamp for drawing. At this time, the light R1 transmitted through the first pattern forming portion 57A, the second pattern forming portion 57B, and the third pattern forming portion 57C is drawn on the road surface 200 as a drawing pattern in order from the position closest to the vehicle 100.

[0084] Although the above example shows a case where the plurality of light sources 54 are turned on simultaneously, the imaging unit 50 may be set to a sequential emission state where the light sources 54 are turned on in order.

[0085] In the sequential emission state, light is emitted sequentially from the light source 54 located inside in the left-right direction of the vehicle 100, first from the first pattern forming portion 57A, then from the second pattern forming portion 57B while light is being emitted from the first pattern forming portion 57A, and then from the third pattern forming portion 57C while light is being emitted from the first pattern forming portion 57A and the second pattern forming portion 57B. Thus, the light sources are turned on sequentially at regular intervals from the inside to the outside in the left-right direction of the vehicle 100.

[0086] In the drawing unit 50, the pattern forming section 57 is formed in a protruding shape that protrudes toward the projection lens 53 from the base section 55, and the outer surface of the pattern forming section 57 has a light-transmitting surface 58a facing the projection lens 53 and an outer peripheral surface 58b, and the outer shape of the outer peripheral surface 58b is inclined so that it becomes larger as it approaches the base section 55 from the light-transmitting surface 58a.

[0087] Therefore, the external shape of the outer peripheral surface 58b of the pattern forming portion 57 increases from the light transmitting surface 58a toward the base portion 55, so that the inclination angle of the outer peripheral surface 58b is a sufficient draft angle when molding using a mold, thereby improving the molding accuracy of the pattern forming portion 57. Furthermore, because the inclination angle of the outer peripheral surface 58b is large, light that reaches the outer peripheral surface 58b is reliably internally reflected (total reflected), thereby improving the accuracy of light control by the pattern forming portion 57.

[0088] Furthermore, as described above, by internally reflecting a portion of the light emitted from the light source 54 at the outer peripheral surface 58b and using only the light R1 transmitted through the light-transmitting surface 58a to draw on the road surface 200, the light used to draw is made clearer, and a clear drawing pattern can be formed.

[0089] While the above example shows the imaging unit 50 having the incident protrusion 56 for forming parallel light on the primary lens 52, the imaging unit 50 may be configured so that the incident protrusion 56 is not provided on the primary lens 52, and a reflector may be provided to form parallel light, as with the lamp unit 6. In such a configuration, the reflector may be formed with a first reflecting surface that reflects light used as a turn signal lamp or a backup lamp, and a second reflecting surface that reflects light for imaging, and the light that has been reflection-controlled by the first reflecting surface may be irradiated from the first projection lens, and the light that has been reflection-controlled by the second reflecting surface may be irradiated from the second projection lens.

[0090] 200 Road surface 1 Vehicle lamp 10 Reflector 11 Primary lens 12 First projection lens 12b Lens portion 13 Second projection lens 16 Light source 19 Reflection portion 20 First reflection surface 21 Second reflection surface 22 Base portion 24 Mounting portion 26 Pattern forming portion 26a Light transmission surface 26b Outer circumferential surface 27 Transmission portion 28 Control portion 52 Primary lens 53 Projection lens 54 Light source 55 Base portion 57 Pattern forming portion 58a Light transmission surface 58b Outer circumferential surface

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp comprising: a plurality of light sources each emitting light; a reflector having a plurality of reflecting sections each reflecting the light emitted from the plurality of light sources separately, the reflecting sections having a first reflecting surface for signs and a second reflecting surface for drawing on a road surface; a primary lens having a plurality of pattern forming sections which form a drawing pattern; a first projection lens which projects the light for signs; and a second projection lens which projects the light for drawing, wherein the light reflected by the first reflecting surface is irradiated from the first projection lens, and the light reflected by the second reflecting surface and emitted from the pattern forming section is irradiated from the second projection lens.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the primary lens is formed from a resin material, the primary lens is provided with a transmissive portion through which light reflected by the first reflecting surface is transmitted and a control portion having the pattern forming portion, and the transmissive portion and the control portion are formed integrally.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, wherein the primary lens is provided with an attachment portion formed integrally with the transmission portion and the control portion, and the first projection lens and the second projection lens are attached to the attachment portion.

4. A vehicle lamp as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control section is provided with a base section whose both surfaces in the thickness direction face the reflector and the second projection lens, respectively, the pattern forming section is formed in a protrusion that protrudes from the base section towards the second projection lens, the base section is formed with a recess that opens towards the second projection lens and in which the pattern forming section is positioned, and the height of the pattern forming section in the protruding direction is set to be equal to or less than the depth of the recess.

5. A vehicle lamp as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control section is provided with a base section having both sides in the thickness direction facing the reflector and the second projection lens, respectively, the pattern forming section is formed in a protruding shape that protrudes from the base section towards the second projection lens, the outer surface of the pattern forming section has a light transmitting surface facing the second projection lens and an outer peripheral surface continuous with the outer periphery of the light transmitting surface, and the outer peripheral surface is inclined so that its outer shape becomes larger as it approaches the base section from the light transmitting surface.

6. A vehicle lamp as claimed in claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4 or claim 5, wherein light reflected by the plurality of second reflective surfaces is irradiated towards respective areas at different distances from the vehicle, the second reflective surfaces which reflect light towards the area closest to the vehicle are used as near-field reflective surfaces, and the second reflective surfaces which reflect light towards the area farthest from the vehicle are used as far-field reflective surfaces, the near-field reflective surfaces are positioned above the first reflective surfaces in the reflective section having the near-field reflective surfaces, and the far-field reflective surfaces are positioned below the first reflective surfaces in the reflective section having the far-field reflective surfaces.

7. A vehicle lamp as claimed in claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the first projection lens is provided with a plurality of lens portions from which light respectively incident from a plurality of the pattern forming portions exits, and the lens portions are all the same size.

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