Vehicle lamp

Abstract

This vehicle lamp is provided with: a light source that emits light; a condenser lens that condenses light from the light source; a light-shielding member having a slit that allows the light condensed by the condenser lens to pass therethrough; and a projection lens that projects the light that has passed through the light-shielding member to form an irradiation pattern. The condenser lens is formed so as to condense light toward the rear principal point of the projection lens.

Description

Vehicle lighting fixtures

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle lamp is known that includes a shade that blocks a portion of light from a light source and a projection lens that projects the light that passes through the shade to the rear of the vehicle.

[0003] International Publication No. 2020 / 019231

[0004] In a vehicle lamp such as that described in Patent Document 1, there is a demand for miniaturization of the overall configuration.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide a vehicle lamp that can be made compact.

[0006] The vehicle lamp according to the present invention comprises a light source that emits light, a focusing lens that focuses the light from the light source, a light-blocking member having a slit that allows the light focused by the focusing lens to pass through, and a projection lens that projects the light that has passed through the light-blocking member to form an illumination pattern, and the focusing lens is formed to focus the light toward a rear principal point of the projection lens.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp that can be made compact.

[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a vehicle lamp according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of a vehicle lamp according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of the operation of the vehicle lamp according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of an illumination pattern formed on a road surface by the vehicle lamp. FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a cross section of a light beam for light emitted from a condenser lens. FIG. 7 is a view schematically showing another example of a vehicle lamp according to this embodiment.

[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 the following description, the front-rear, up-down, left-right directions refer to directions when the vehicle lamp is mounted on a vehicle and viewed from the driver's seat in the direction of vehicle travel. In this embodiment, the up-down direction is parallel to the vertical direction, and the front-rear and left-right directions are parallel to the horizontal direction. The center of the vehicle in the left-right direction is referred to as the inside of the vehicle, and the side of the vehicle in the left-right direction is referred to as the outside of the vehicle.

[0011] Furthermore, the front and rear directions are assumed to be directions when 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).

[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a vehicle lamp according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an example of a vehicle lamp according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view showing a cross-section taken along a plane perpendicular to the horizontal direction and along the optical axis of the condenser lens. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2. Note that FIG. 3 omits the configuration of a support member 50. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , this embodiment will be described taking as an example a configuration in which a vehicle lamp 100 is mounted on the rear of a vehicle. The vehicle lamp 100 has a light source unit 10, a condenser lens 20, a light-blocking member 30, a projection lens 40, and a support member 50.

[0013] The light source unit 10 emits light to form an illumination pattern behind the vehicle. The light source unit 10 has multiple light sources 11 arranged in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the light source unit 10 has, for example, two light sources 11. Note that the number of light sources 11 may be one or three or more. The light source 11 is a semiconductor light source such as an LED. The light source 11 has a light-emitting surface 11a that emits light. The light-emitting surface 11a is directed forward. In this embodiment, the light sources 11 are arranged on both sides of the reference axis AX in the vertical direction. Here, the reference axis AX is an imaginary line that passes through the rear focal point of the projection lens 40 (described later) and extends in the front-to-rear direction along a horizontal plane. In this embodiment, one of the two light sources 11 (hereinafter referred to as light source 11U) is arranged above the reference axis AX. The other of the two light sources 11 (hereinafter referred to as light source 11D) is arranged below the reference axis AX. Light source 11D is arranged so that the vertical distance from reference axis AX is shorter than that of light source 11U. Light source 11D is arranged at a rear focal point 25 of a first lens portion 21 (described later) of condenser lens 20. Light source 11U is arranged at a rear focal point 26 of a second lens portion 22 (described later) of condenser lens 20.

[0014] The light source 11 is mounted on a mounting surface 12a of a substrate 12. The substrate 12 is, for example, a rectangular plate, and is provided with wiring, circuits, etc. for supplying power to the light source 11. The substrate 12 is disposed perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the reference axis AX. The substrate 12 is supported by a support member 50.

[0015] The condenser lens 20 condenses light from the light source unit 10 and emits it toward the front side. The condenser lens 20 is formed using a material that can transmit light from the light source 11. Examples of such materials include resin materials such as polycarbonate, but other materials may also be used. The condenser lens 20 has a first lens portion (lower lens portion) 21 and a second lens portion (upper lens portion) 22.

[0016] The first lens unit 21 and the second lens unit 22 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. The first lens unit 21 is arranged below the reference axis AX. The first lens unit 21 has an incident surface 21a and an exit surface 21b. The incident surface 21a is formed, for example, by a free-form surface that protrudes toward the light source 11 side. The exit surface 21b is formed, for example, by a free-form surface that protrudes toward the light blocking member 30 side.

[0017] The second lens unit 22 is disposed above the reference axis AX. The second lens unit 22 has an incident surface 22a and an exit surface 22b. The incident surface 22a is formed, for example, by a free-form surface protruding toward the light source 11. The exit surface 22b is formed, for example, by a free-form surface protruding toward the light blocking member 30, and has a shape with a portion cut out on the lower side. More specifically, as shown by the dashed-dot line in FIG. 3 , the exit surface 22b has a shape with a portion cut out on the lower side when based on a plane that is vertically symmetrical in cross section with respect to the vertex 22c on the front side. The vertex 22c of the exit surface 22b of the second lens unit 22 is disposed below the exit axis CX of the light source 11U. With this configuration, when the exit surface 22b is disposed within a limited range in the vertical direction, the portion near the vertex on the front side and the portion above the vertex can be used in an expanded vertical state, thereby efficiently emitting light downward.

[0018] The condenser lens 20 is formed to condense light toward a rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40, which will be described later. In this embodiment, at least the first lens portion 21 is formed to condense light toward the rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40. In this configuration, the distance from the condenser lens 20 to the light blocking member 30 can be made shorter than in a configuration in which the condenser lens 20 condenses light at the position of the light blocking member 30 (slit 33), which will be described later. Note that each of the first lens portion 21 and the second lens portion 22 may be formed to condense light toward the rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40.

[0019] The light-blocking member 30 has a slit-forming portion 31 and an overhang portion 32. The light-blocking member 30 has the slit-forming portion 31 and the overhang portion 32 formed as a single member in the shape of a flat plate. The light-blocking member 30 is formed entirely using a material capable of blocking light. Examples of such materials include metal, but other materials may also be used. Note that the light-blocking member 30 may have a configuration in which the slit-forming portion 31 and the overhang portion 32 are formed as separate members.

[0020] The slit forming section 31 has slits 33. The slits 33 allow a portion of the light condensed by the condensing lens 20 to pass through. For example, three slits 33 are formed lined up vertically. Hereinafter, when distinguishing between the slits 33, they will be referred to as slits 33a, 33b, and 33c, starting from the bottom. The number and arrangement of the slits 33 are not limited to the above. Each slit 33 is disposed extending upward from the reference axis AX. Note that the slit 33 may be configured to have a portion extending in the vertical direction above the reference axis AX. In this case, for example, the entire slit 33 may be disposed above the reference axis AX, or a portion of the slit 33 may be disposed to straddle the reference axis AX in the vertical direction.

[0021] The protruding portion 32 protrudes linearly in the left-right direction from the slit forming portion 31. The protruding portion 32 has rounded corners on both left-right sides. Both the front and rear surfaces of the protruding portion 32 are flat.

[0022] When viewed from the front side, the light blocking member 30 is formed so as to cover the condenser lens 20. With this configuration, it is possible for the light blocking member 30 to block light that has passed through the condenser lens 20.

[0023] The projection lens 40 has a lens portion 41, a cylindrical portion 42, and a protruding portion 43. The lens portion 41 projects the light that has passed through the slit 33 onto the road surface behind (the front side of) the vehicle to form an irradiation pattern. The projection lens 40 is disposed so that the front side of the projection lens optical axis BX is tilted downward. In this embodiment, the rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40 is disposed below the reference axis AX.

[0024] The projection lens 40 is configured such that the lens portion 41, the cylindrical portion 42, and the protruding portion 43 are formed as a single member. Note that the projection lens 40 may be configured such that at least one of the lens portion 41, the cylindrical portion 42, and the protruding portion 43 is formed as a separate member.

[0025] The lens portion 41 is formed using a material that can transmit light from the light source 11. Examples of such materials include a resin material such as acrylic, but other materials may also be used. In this case, the entire projection lens 40 can be easily formed by integrally molding the material that constitutes the lens portion 41. Note that the projection lens 40 may have portions different from the lens portion 41, i.e., at least a portion of the cylindrical portion 42 and the protruding portion 43, formed using a material different from the lens portion 41.

[0026] The lens portion 41 has an incident surface 41 a and an exit surface 41 b. The incident surface 41 a receives light that has passed through the slit 33. The exit surface 41 b emits the light that has entered through the incident surface 41 a to the front side.

[0027] The tubular portion 42 holds the lens portion 41. The tubular portion 42 is, for example, cylindrical. The tubular portion 42 connects the lens portion 41 and the protruding portion 43. The tubular portion 42 is provided so as to protrude toward the front side of the protruding portion 43. With this configuration, the lens portion 41 is disposed in front of the protruding portion 43.

[0028] The protruding portion 43 holds the lens portion 41 via the cylindrical portion 42. The protruding portion 43 has a flat plate shape.

[0029] The support member 50 supports the light source unit 10, the condenser lens 20, the light blocking member 30, and the projection lens 40. The support member 50 has a base portion 51, fins 52, and a fixing portion 53. The base portion 51 is flat. The base portion 51 has a support surface 51a that supports the light source unit 10. The support surface 51a is the front surface of the base portion 51 and supports the substrate 12.

[0030] The fins 52 protrude rearward from the base portion 51. A plurality of fins 52 are provided. The fins 52 dissipate heat generated in the light source 11. The fixing portion 53 fixes the light source unit 10, the condenser lens 20, the light blocking member 30, and the projection lens 40 with screw members 60 (see FIG. 1 ).

[0031] 3, in this embodiment, in the front-to-rear direction, a first distance D1 from the slit 33 of the light blocking member 30 to the rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40 is set to be equal to or less than twice the second distance D2 from the light source 11 to the light blocking member 30. For example, the first distance D1 can be set to 14.8 mm, the second distance D2 can be set to 7.5 mm, and the focal length BF of each of the first lens portion 21 and the second lens portion 22 of the condenser lens 20 can be set to be equal to or greater than 1 mm.

[0032] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the vehicular lamp 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an illumination pattern formed on the road surface by the vehicular lamp 100. In response to an operation of a reverse gear or the like by the driver, or in conjunction with the lighting of a backup lamp (reverse lamp) or the like, the vehicular lamp 100 emits light from the light emitting surface 11a of the light source 11.

[0033] 4, light emitted from the light-emitting surface 11a of the lower light source 11D (hereinafter referred to as light ray L1) is incident on the incident surface 21a of the first lens portion 21 of the condenser lens 20. The light ray L1 incident on the incident surface 21a travels through the first lens portion 21 and is emitted from the exit surface 21b to the front side. The light ray L1 is emitted by the first lens portion 21 so as to be condensed toward the rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40.

[0034] Light ray L1 mainly reaches the lower slit 33a and its vicinity among the three slits 33a, 33b, and 33c of the light-shielding member 30. A part of light ray L1 (hereinafter referred to as light ray L1a) passes through the slit 33 of the light-shielding member 30, and the rest (hereinafter referred to as light ray L1b) is blocked by the light-shielding member 30.

[0035] The light ray L1a that passes through the slit 33 enters the lens portion 41 from the incident surface 41a of the projection lens 40, and exits from the exit surface 41b to form a pattern Pa (see Figure 5), which is part of the irradiation pattern P (see Figure 5), on the front side (rear) of the vehicle.

[0036] 4, light emitted from the light-emitting surface 11a of the upper light source 11U (hereinafter referred to as light ray L2) is incident on the incident surface 22a of the second lens portion 22 of the condenser lens 20. The light ray L2 incident on the incident surface 22a travels through the second lens portion 22 and is emitted from the exit surface 22b to the front side. The light ray L2 is emitted by the second lens portion 22 so as to be condensed at the rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40.

[0037] The light ray L2 mainly reaches the central and upper slits 33b, 33c and their vicinity in the vertical direction among the three slits 33 of the light blocking member 30. A part of the light ray L2 (hereinafter referred to as light ray L2a) passes through the slits 33 of the light blocking member 30, and the rest (hereinafter referred to as light ray L2b) is blocked by the light blocking member 30.

[0038] The light ray L2a that passes through the slit 33 enters the lens portion 41 from the incident surface 41a of the projection lens 40 and exits from the exit surface 41b, forming patterns Pb and Pc on the front side (rear) of the vehicle, which are closer to the vehicle than the above-mentioned pattern Pa, as shown in Figure 5.

[0039] 6A to 6C are diagrams showing examples of the cross section of the light beam emitted from the condenser lens 20. Here, an example of light emitted from the first lens unit 21 is shown as an example. FIG. 6A shows the cross section of the light beam in a plane perpendicular to the reference axis AX for position P1 in FIG. 4, FIG. 6B shows the cross section of the light beam in a plane perpendicular to the reference axis AX for position P2 in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6C shows the cross section of the light beam in a plane perpendicular to the reference axis AX for position P3 in FIG. 4. Note that position P2 is the position of the slit 33a. Position P1 is located closer to the rear side (toward the condenser lens 20) than position P2, and position P3 is located closer to the front side (toward the projection lens 40) than position P2.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C , the density (luminous flux density) of the central portion C1 of the luminous flux C is highest at position P2 in a cross-sectional view compared to positions P1 and P3. In this embodiment, the light source 11 is disposed at the rear focal point 25 of the condenser lens 20, the slit 33 is disposed at the rear focal point 46 of the projection lens 40, and the first distance D1 from the slit 33 to the rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40 in the front-to-rear direction is twice the second distance D2 from the light source 11 to the slit 33. Therefore, the light-blocking member 30 (slit 33) can be disposed at position P2 where the luminous flux density is highest. This arrangement allows the light from the portion with the highest luminous flux density to be used for pattern formation, thereby increasing the luminous intensity of the pattern formed in front of (behind) the vehicle.

[0041] As described above, the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment comprises a light source 11 that emits light, a focusing lens 20 that focuses the light from the light source 11, a light-blocking member 30 having a slit 33 that allows the light focused by the focusing lens 20 to pass through, and a projection lens 40 that projects the light that has passed through the light-blocking member 30 to form an irradiation pattern P, and the focusing lens 20 is formed so as to focus the light at the rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40.

[0042] With this configuration, the distance from the condensing lens 20 to the light blocking member 30 can be made shorter than in a configuration in which the condensing lens 20 focuses light at the position of the light blocking member 30 (slit 33). This makes it possible to reduce the overall dimensions of the vehicle lamp 100 in the front and rear directions, thereby making it possible to make the vehicle lamp 100 more compact.

[0043] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment, the light source 11 is positioned at the rear focal point 25 of the focusing lens 20, the slit 33 is positioned at the rear focal point 46 of the projection lens 40, and in the front-to-rear direction, the first distance D1 from the slit 33 to the rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40 is less than twice the second distance D2 from the light source 11 to the slit 33.

[0044] According to this configuration, the slits 33 can be arranged in a position in the front-to-rear direction where the luminous flux density of the light emitted from the condenser lens 20 is the highest. This arrangement allows the light in the area with the highest luminous flux density to be used for pattern formation, thereby increasing the luminous intensity of the pattern formed in front of (behind) the vehicle.

[0045] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment, if a virtual line passing through the rear focal point of the projection lens 40 and extending in the front-to-rear direction along a horizontal plane is defined as the reference axis AX, the light sources 11 are provided one on each side of the reference axis AX in the vertical direction.

[0046] According to this configuration, it is possible to supply light with sufficient brightness in a well-balanced manner across the reference axis AX in the vertical direction to the light blocking member 30 .

[0047] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment, the light source 11D provided on the lower side has a shorter vertical distance from the reference axis AX than the light source 11U provided on the upper side.

[0048] According to this configuration, brighter light can be supplied to the light blocking member 30 on the side below the reference axis AX.

[0049] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment, the focusing lens 20 has a second lens portion 22 corresponding to the light source 11U provided on the upper side and a first lens portion 21 corresponding to the light source 11D provided on the lower side, and at least the first lens portion 21 is formed so as to focus light toward the rear principal point 45 of the projection lens 40.

[0050] According to this configuration, the light from the different light sources 11D and 11U can be collected separately.

[0051] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment, the second lens portion 22 has a shape in which the vertex 22c of the emission surface 22b is positioned below the emission axis CX of the light source 11U, and a portion of the lower side of the emission surface 22b is cut out.

[0052] With this configuration, in the second lens portion 22 disposed on the upper side, the vertex 22c of the exit surface 22b is disposed below the exit axis CX of the light source 11U, and a portion of the lower side of the exit surface 22b is cut out, so that light can be efficiently emitted downward while maintaining the diameter of the exit surface 22b. This allows the light distribution pattern P to be irradiated further downward.

[0053] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to this embodiment, the projection lens 40 is disposed so that the front side of the optical axis BX of the projection lens 40 is inclined downward.

[0054] According to this configuration, light can be emitted downward from the projection lens 40, so that the irradiation pattern P can be reliably formed on the road surface.

[0055] 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, a configuration in which a plurality of light sources 11 are provided, i.e., one above and one below the reference axis AX, is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

[0056] Fig. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating another example of a vehicle lamp according to this embodiment. In the vehicle lamp 200 shown in Fig. 7, a configuration will be described in which the light source unit 110 has one light source 111 arranged on the reference axis AX, and the condenser lens 120 has one lens unit 121. In addition, one slit 133 is provided in the light blocking member 130. The slit 133 is located at the rear focal point 146 of the projection lens 140. The other configuration is the same as that of the vehicle lamp 100 described above.

[0057] 7 , in the front-to-rear direction, a third distance D3 from the slit 133 of the light blocking member 130 to the rear principal point 145 of the projection lens 140 can be set to be at least twice the fourth distance D4 from the light source 111 to the light blocking member 130. For example, the third distance D3 can be set to 15 mm, the fourth distance D4 can be set to 7.5 mm, and the focal length BF2 of the lens portion 121 of the condenser lens 120 can be set to be 1 mm or more.

[0058] In the vehicle lamp 200, light (hereinafter referred to as light ray L) emitted from the light-emitting surface 111a of the light source 111 is incident on the incident surface 121a of the lens portion 121 of the condenser lens 120. The light ray L incident on the incident surface 121a travels inside the lens portion 121 and is emitted from the exit surface 121b to the front side. The light ray L is emitted by the lens portion 121 so as to be condensed at the rear principal point 145 of the projection lens 140.

[0059] The light ray L reaches the slit 133 and its vicinity. A part of the light ray L (hereinafter referred to as light ray La) passes through the slit 133 of the light blocking member 130, and the rest (hereinafter referred to as light ray Lb) is blocked by the light blocking member 130.

[0060] The light beam La that passes through the slit 133 enters the lens portion 141 from the incident surface 141a of the projection lens 140 and exits from the exit surface 141b, forming an illumination pattern on the front side (rear side) of the vehicle.

[0061] In addition, in the above embodiment, the vehicle lamp 100 is disposed at the rear of the vehicle M, but the present invention is not limited to this. The vehicle lamp 100 may be disposed at the front or side of the vehicle M, and may form an illumination pattern on the road surface in front of or to the side of the vehicle M.

[0062] AX...reference axis, BX...projection lens optical axis, CX...emission axis, L, L1, L2, La, L1a, L2a...light ray, M...vehicle, P...irradiation pattern, Pa, Pb, Pc...pattern, P1, P2, P3...position, 10...light source unit, 11, 11D, 11U, 111...light source, 11a, 111a...light emitting surface, 12...substrate, 12a...mounting surface, 20, 120...condensing lens, 21...first lens unit, 21a, 22a, 41a, 121a, 141a...incident surface, 21b, 22b, 41b, 121b, 141b... exit surface, 21c... vertex, 22... second lens portion, 25, 46... rear focal point, 30, 130... light blocking member, 31... slit forming portion, 32, 43... protruding portion, 33, 33a, 33b, 33c, 133... slit, 40, 140... projection lens, 41, 121, 141... lens portion, 42... cylindrical portion, 45, 145... rear principal point, 50... support member, 51... base portion, 51a... support surface, 52... fin, 53... fixing portion, 100, 200... vehicular lamp

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp comprising a light source that emits light, a condenser lens that condenses the light from the light source, a light-shielding member having a slit that allows the light condensed by the condenser lens to pass through, and a projection lens that projects the light that has passed through the light-shielding member to form an irradiation pattern, wherein the condenser lens is formed to condense light toward the rear principal point of the projection lens.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light source is disposed at the rear focal position of the condenser lens, the slit is disposed at the rear focal position of the projection lens, and in the front-rear direction, the distance from the slit to the rear principal point of the projection lens is not more than twice the distance from the light source to the slit.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein when a virtual straight line that passes through the rear focal point of the projection lens and extends in the front-rear direction along a horizontal plane is used as a reference axis, the light sources are provided one on each of the upper and lower sides with respect to the reference axis.

4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3, wherein the light source provided on the lower side has a shorter vertical distance from the reference axis than the light source provided on the upper side.

5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3, wherein the condenser lens has an upper lens portion corresponding to the light source provided on the upper side and a lower lens portion corresponding to the light source provided on the lower side, and at least the lower lens portion is formed to condense light toward the rear principal point of the projection lens.

6. The vehicle lamp according to claim 5, wherein the upper lens portion has a shape in which the apex of the exit surface is disposed below the exit axis of the light source and a part of the lower side of the exit surface is cut away.

7. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the projection lens is disposed such that the front side of the optical axis of the projection lens is inclined downward.

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