Vehicular display device

Abstract

A light guide body (3) has: a rod-like first light guide part (31) that faces a light source (2); a plate-like second light guide part (32) that is positioned between one end side of the first light guide part (31) and the other end side thereof and projects in a direction intersecting the first light guide part (31); an incident part (33) that is positioned on the one end side of the first light guide part (31); a plurality of first reflection cuts (34) of the first light guide part (31) that are positioned opposite the second light guide part (32); a plurality of second reflection cuts positioned on the back side of the second light guide part (32); and a display light emitting part (E1) positioned on the front side of the second light guide part (32) and emitting light reflected by the plurality of second reflection cuts from the front side of the second light guide part (32) to the outside and thereby emitting the light in a display pattern (P) formed by the plurality of second reflection cuts.

Description

Vehicle display device

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-012949, filed on January 31, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a configuration in which a light source such as a light emitting diode (LED) is combined with a rod-shaped or plate-shaped light guide has been known as a vehicle lamp to be mounted on a vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

[0003] In such vehicle lamps, light emitted from a light source enters the base end of the light guide and is guided toward the tip end of the light guide while repeatedly reflecting inside the light guide. Furthermore, the light reflected by multiple reflection cutouts on the back side of the light guide is emitted from the front side of the light guide. This allows the light-emitting element on the front side of the light guide to emit light in a line or a plane.

[0004] On the other hand, some vehicles are equipped with a vehicle display device that is mounted on the back gate or trunk lid at the rear of the vehicle and displays brand names such as the vehicle name and manufacturer name, logo marks, etc. as a light-emitting display pattern.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-020396

[0006] However, the above-mentioned vehicle display device is configured separately from the vehicle lamp. Therefore, the display pattern needs to be illuminated using a light source separate from the vehicle lamp. Furthermore, if the same light source is used to illuminate the display pattern and the light-emitting portion of the vehicle lamp, differences in distance from the light source may result in differences in brightness between the display pattern and the light-emitting portion of the vehicle lamp, which may reduce visibility and appearance.

[0007] An aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle display device that enables light emission with good visibility and good appearance.

[0008] An aspect of the present invention provides the following configuration: [1] A light source and a light guide, the light guide including: a rod-shaped first light guide extending from one end facing the light source to the other end; a plate-shaped second light guide located between one end and the other end of the first light guide and protruding toward one side in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the first light guide; an incident portion located at at least one end of the first light guide and allowing light emitted from the light source to enter the first light guide; a plurality of first reflection cuts located on the side of the first light guide opposite to the side from which the second light guide protrudes and reflecting a portion of the light guided inside the first light guide toward the second light guide; and a plurality of second reflection cuts located on the back side of the second light guide and reflecting the light guided inside the second light guide toward the front side of the second light guide.

[0014] The vehicle display device according to [1], characterized in that the light guide body has: a plurality of third reflection cuts located on the rear side of the first light guide and reflecting light guided inside the first light guide toward the front side of the first light guide; and a line light emitter located on the front side of the first light guide and emitting light reflected by the plurality of third reflection cuts from the front side of the first light guide to the outside, thereby emitting light in a line shape by emitting light reflected by the plurality of third reflection cuts from the front side of the first light guide to the outside.

[0015] The vehicle display device according to [1], characterized in that the display light emitter is configured by a plurality of display patterns arranged in a direction in which the first light guide of the second light guide extends. [4] The vehicle display device according to [1], wherein the second light guide section has a plurality of connection sections connected to the first light guide section and slit sections forming spaces between adjacent ones of the plurality of connection sections. [5] The vehicle display device according to [4], wherein the plurality of first reflection cuts are provided in portions facing the plurality of connection sections.[6] The vehicle display device described in [4], characterized in that the connection portion is provided so as to connect both ends of the first light guide portion and the second light guide portion, the first light guide portion has a light guide exit surface located on the side facing the space, and the second light guide portion has a light guide entrance surface located on the side facing the space, and light emitted from the light guide exit surface toward the space enters the inside of the second light guide portion from the light guide entrance surface.

[0009] As described above, according to the aspects of the present invention, a vehicle display device that is capable of emitting light with good visibility and good appearance is provided.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a front view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the rear side. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of a vehicle display device constituting the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle display device taken along line III-III shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle display device taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle display device taken along line V-V shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle display device taken along line VI-VI shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a modified example of the vehicle display device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is a front view showing a modified example of the vehicle display device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 9 is a front view showing another configuration of the display light-emitting unit and line light-emitting unit of the vehicle display device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 11 is a front view showing the configuration of the vehicle display device shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a front view showing a modified example of the incident portion side of the light guide provided in the vehicle display device shown in FIG. 2.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings used in the following description, the dimensions of the components may be shown at different scales to make them easier to see, and the dimensional ratios of the components may not necessarily be the same as those in reality.

[0012] As an embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle lamp 100 including a vehicle display device 1 shown in, for example, FIGS. 1 to 13 will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view of a vehicle B including the vehicle lamp 100, as seen from the rear. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of the vehicle display device 1 constituting the vehicle lamp 100. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle display device 1 taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle display device 1 taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle display device 1 taken along line V-V in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle display device 1 taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a modified example of the vehicle display device 1. FIG. 8 is a front view showing a modified example of the vehicle display device 1. FIG. 9 is a front view showing another configuration of the display light-emitting unit E1 and the line light-emitting unit E2 of the vehicle display device 1. FIG. 10 is a front view showing the configuration of the vehicle display device 1 shown in FIG. 9. Fig. 11 is a front view showing another configuration of the display light emitting unit E1 and the line light emitting unit E2 of the vehicle display device 1. Fig. 12 is a front view showing the configuration of the vehicle display device 1 shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a front view showing a modified example of the incident portion 33 side of the light guide 3 provided in the vehicle display device 1.

[0013] In addition, in the drawings shown below, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is set up, with the X-axis direction being the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle display device 1 (vehicle lighting fixture 100), the Y-axis direction being the left-to-right direction of the vehicle display device 1 (vehicle lighting fixture 100), and the Z-axis direction being the up-to-down direction of the vehicle display device 1 (vehicle lighting fixture 100).

[0014] A vehicle lamp 100 equipped with the vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment is mounted on the rear side of a vehicle B, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, and has a display light-emitting element E1 located in the center in the vehicle width direction, which emits light to display a display pattern P such as the vehicle name, brand name such as the manufacturer name, and a logo mark, and a pair of line light-emitting elements E2 located on either side of the display light-emitting element E1 in the vehicle width direction, which emit light in a line while extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0015] Furthermore, the vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment has a configuration in which the display light emitting unit E1 and the pair of line light emitting units E2 are arranged in a straight line.

[0016] In the vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment, the display light-emitting element E1 positively displays a six-character display pattern P of "ABCDEF" by emitting red light, and the pair of line light-emitting elements E2 emits red light in a line as a tail lamp (TLL) of the vehicle lamp 100. In addition to the above-mentioned letters, the display pattern P can also be, for example, numbers, symbols, figures, characters, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0017] In addition to the tail lamp TLL described above, the vehicle lighting device 100 is configured so that, on both sides of the vehicle width, brake lamps (BRL) that emit red light that is brighter than the tail lamps (TLL) when vehicle B brakes, turn lamps (TRL) that flash with orange light when vehicle B turns or changes lanes, and backup lamps (BCL) that emit white light when vehicle B reverses are arranged.

[0018] Of the lamps TLL, BRL, TRL, and BCL that constitute the above-mentioned vehicle lighting fixture 100, the lamps BRL, TRL, and BCL other than the tail lamp TLL are configured separately from the vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment.

[0019] As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment has two light sources 2 and one light guide 3, which are arranged in a lamp body (not shown).

[0020] The lamp body is composed of a housing with an opening on the front side and a transparent outer lens (not shown) that covers the opening of the housing. The shape of the lamp body can be changed as appropriate to match the design of the vehicle B. Furthermore, the lamp body may be configured so that the lamp units that make up the above-mentioned lamps BRL, TRL, and BCL are disposed inside the lamp body.

[0021] The two light sources 2 are light-emitting elements such as LEDs that emit red light, and are positioned on the outer sides of the light guide 3 in the vehicle width direction so as to emit light L in opposite directions toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

[0022] The light source 2 may be configured as a socket with a coupler that is detachably attached to a mounting hole provided on the rear side of the housing (lamp body). The light source 2 is not limited to one consisting of one light emitting element, and may be one consisting of multiple light emitting elements.

[0023] The light guide 3 is made of a light-transmitting material such as a transparent resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic, or glass. The light guide 3 is located between the two light sources 2 and is provided continuously in the vehicle width direction.

[0024] Specifically, this light guide 3 has a first light guide section 31 in the shape of a long rod extending from one end side to the other end side in the vehicle width direction, and a second light guide section 32 in the shape of an approximately rectangular plate located in the center between one end side and the other end side of the first light guide section 31 and protruding toward one side (upward in this embodiment) in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first light guide section 31 extends.

[0025] Of these, the first light guiding section 31 is formed to have a substantially circular cross section, while the second light guiding section 32 has a shape inclined from the back side to the front side so that the thickness gradually decreases toward the tip side.

[0026] The first light guiding section 31 has a central section 31 a located in the center in the vehicle width direction, a pair of side sections 31 b located on either side of the central section 31 a in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of curved sections 31 c located between the central section 31 a and the pair of side sections 31 b. The first light guiding section 31 has a shape curved by the pair of curved sections 31 c between the central section 31 a and the pair of side sections 31 b so that the second light guiding section 32 and the pair of side sections 31 b are aligned linearly in the vehicle width direction.

[0027] The second light-guiding section 32 is located above the central portion 31a of the first light-guiding section 31, and has a plurality of connection portions 32a connected to the central portion 31a of the first light-guiding section 31, and a plurality of slit portions 32b located between adjacent connection portions 32a.

[0028] The plurality of connecting portions 32a are arranged side by side in the direction in which the first light guiding portion 31 (central portion 31a) of the second light guiding portion 32 extends (the vehicle width direction) at portions corresponding to the six display patterns P displayed on the above-described display light-emitting portion E1. The plurality of connecting portions 32a form portions connected to the central portion 31a of the first light guiding portion 31 with widths corresponding to the respective display patterns P.

[0029] The plurality of slits 32b are provided so as to penetrate between adjacent ones of the plurality of connection portions 32a in the thickness direction (front-rear direction in this embodiment) of the second light guiding portion 32. As a result, a space K is formed between each of the adjacent ones of the plurality of connection portions 32a.

[0030] The light guide 3 has a pair of incident sections 33 located at one end and the other end of the first light guide section 31, a plurality of first reflection cuts 34 located in the central section 31a of the first light guide section 31, a plurality of second reflection cuts 35 located on the back side of the second light guide section 32, a first exit section 36 located on the front side of the second light guide section 32, a plurality of third reflection cuts 37 located on the back side of both side sections 31b of the first light guide section 31, and a second exit section 38 located on the front side of both side sections 31b of the first light guide section 31.

[0031] The pair of incident portions 33 have flat (planar) incident surfaces 33 a facing the light source 2 at one end side and the other end side of the first light guide portion 31 .

[0032] In each incident portion 33, light L emitted from each light source 2 is incident from each incident surface 33a into the inside of the first light guiding portion 31. As a result, the light L incident from each incident surface 33a is repeatedly reflected inside the first light guiding portion 31, and is guided from both side portions 31b of the first light guiding portion 31 to the center portion 31a via the curved portion 31c.

[0033] The multiple first reflection cuts 34 are located on the surface (the bottom surface in this embodiment) opposite the side from which the second light-guiding section 32 protrudes in the central section 31a of the first light-guiding section 31, and are arranged in a row in the direction in which this central section 31a extends (the vehicle width direction) at each portion facing the multiple connection sections 32a.

[0034] The first reflection cuts 34 are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction with widths corresponding to the respective connection portions 32 a. On the other hand, the portions facing the slit portions 32 b are regions where the first reflection cuts 34 are not provided.

[0035] The plurality of first reflection cuts 34 are not particularly limited in shape, size, number, etc., as long as they reflect the light L incident on the underside of the central portion 31 a toward each of the connecting portions 32 a. For example, in this embodiment, the plurality of first reflection cuts 34 are configured by prism cuts with a substantially triangular cross section lined up in the vehicle width direction.

[0036] In the central portion 31a of the first light guiding portion 31, of the light L guided inside this central portion 31a, the light L reflected by the plurality of first reflection cuts 34 is reflected toward each connecting portion 32a of the second light guiding portion 32. As a result, the light L reflected by the plurality of first reflection cuts 34 enters the inside of the second light guiding portion 32 via each connecting portion 32a, and is then guided toward the tip side of the second light guiding portion 32.

[0037] The plurality of second reflection cuts 35 are provided inside the contour of a shape corresponding to each of the six display patterns P displayed on the display light-emitting section E1.

[0038] The plurality of second reflection cuts 35 are not particularly limited in shape, size, number, etc., as long as they reflect light L incident on the back side of second light guiding section 32 at an angle at which light L is emitted (transmitted) from the front side of second light guiding section 32 to the outside. For example, in this embodiment, the plurality of second reflection cuts 35 are configured by prism cuts having a substantially triangular cross section arranged in a plane having a shape corresponding to each display pattern P.

[0039] The first light exit section 36 has a flat (planar) first light exit surface 36a formed by the front surface of the second light guide section 32. In addition, a light-shielding layer 39 that covers the outside of the outline of each display pattern P is provided on the first light exit surface 36a.

[0040] The light-shielding layer 39 is formed, for example, by providing a black coating film on the first light-emitting surface 36a and selectively removing (patterning) the coating film inside the outline of each display pattern P. As a result, the first light-emitting surface 36a is provided with a transmissive region having a shape corresponding to each display pattern P.

[0041] The light-shielding layer 39 is not necessarily required and may be omitted. In place of the light-shielding layer 39, a light-shielding member such as a bezel or an extension may be disposed on the front side of the light guide 3.

[0042] In the first emission section 36, the light L reflected by the plurality of second reflection cuts 35 is emitted to the outside of the second light guide section 32 from a transmission region of the first emission surface 36a that corresponds to the inside of the outline of each display pattern P. This makes it possible to cause each display pattern P to emit red light (positive display) as the display light-emitting section E1.

[0043] The plurality of third reflection cuts 37 are not particularly limited in shape, size, number, etc., as long as they reflect the light L incident on the back side of each side portion 31 b at an angle that causes the light L to be emitted (transmitted) from the front side of each side portion 31 b to the outside. For example, in this embodiment, the plurality of third reflection cuts 37 are prism cuts with a substantially triangular cross section that are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction in an area corresponding to the line light emitter E2.

[0044] The second light exit portion 38 has a second light exit surface 38a formed by the front surfaces of the side portions 31b. The second light exit surface 38a is formed by a convex curved surface that is curved in an arc shape.

[0045] In the second exit portion 38, the light L reflected by the plurality of third reflection cuts 37 is emitted from the second exit surface 38a to the outside of the side portions 31b (first light guide portion 31). This makes it possible to cause the second exit surface 38a to emit red light in a line, functioning as a line light emitter E2.

[0046] In this way, in the vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment, each display pattern P is displayed positively by emitting red light in the display light-emitting element E1, and a pair of line light-emitting elements E2 can emit red light in a line shape as a tail lamp (TLL) of the vehicle lighting fixture 100.

[0047] Furthermore, in the vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously light up the display light-emitting unit E1 and the pair of line light-emitting units E2 using the same light source 2. This simplifies the structure and reduces manufacturing costs compared to when the display light-emitting unit E1 and the pair of line light-emitting units E2 are configured separately.

[0048] Furthermore, in the vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment, the display light-emitting unit E1 located in the center of the vehicle width direction as described above and a pair of line light-emitting units E2 located on both sides of the vehicle width direction are arranged in a straight line and emit light symmetrically on the left and right, thereby making it possible to obtain light emission that is highly visible and looks good.

[0049] Furthermore, in the vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment, when the display light-emitting unit E1 and the pair of line light-emitting units E2 are illuminated simultaneously using the same light source 2 described above, it is possible to adjust the spacing and depth of adjacent reflection cuts 34, 35, 37 for the multiple first reflection cuts 34, the multiple second reflection cuts 35, and the multiple third reflection cuts 37 so that differences in distance from the light source 2 do not result in differences in brightness between each display pattern P of the display light-emitting unit E1 and the pair of line light-emitting units E2.

[0050] Specifically, it is possible to gradually narrow the intervals between adjacent reflection cuts 34, 35, 37 or gradually deepen the depth thereof as the distance from the light source 2 increases. Furthermore, in the display light-emitting unit E1, the thickness of the plurality of connection portions 32a corresponding to each of the plurality of display patterns P may be adjusted to gradually increase from both ends of the second light-guiding unit 32 toward the center.

[0051] As a result, in the vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment, when the same light source 2 is used to simultaneously illuminate the display light-emitting unit E1 and a pair of line light-emitting units E2, it is possible to more uniformly illuminate each display pattern P of the display light-emitting unit E1 and the pair of line light-emitting units E2.

[0052] In addition, in the vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment, by providing a plurality of connection portions 32a corresponding to each of the above-mentioned plurality of display patterns P and providing a plurality of first reflection cuts 34 at each portion facing these plurality of connection portions 32a, it is possible to efficiently emit light to each display pattern P.

[0053] That is, in the vehicle display device 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of first reflection cuts 34 are provided in each portion facing a plurality of connection portions 32 a, and a portion facing each gap (a plurality of slit portions 32 b) between the plurality of connection portions 32 a is not provided with a plurality of first reflection cuts 34. In this configuration, of the light L guided inside the first light guiding portion 31, the light L reflected by the plurality of first reflection cuts 34 is efficiently guided via the connection portions 32 a to portions of the second light guiding portion 32 corresponding to each display pattern P, thereby making it possible to efficiently emit light from each display pattern P.

[0054] The present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described vehicle display device 1, the display light-emitting portion E1 is configured to display a plurality of display patterns P in a positive light, but the plurality of display patterns P may be configured to display a negative light, as in the modified examples shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0055] Specifically, in the modified example shown in Figure 7, the above-mentioned slit portion 32b is omitted, and the second light-guiding portion 32 is connected to the central portion 31a of the first light-guiding portion 31 via a connecting portion 32a having the same width as the second light-guiding portion 32.

[0056] Correspondingly, the plurality of first reflection cuts 34 are located on the underside of the central portion 31a of the first light guide portion 31 and are arranged side by side in the extending direction of the first light guide portion 31 with a width corresponding to the second light guide portion 32. Furthermore, the plurality of second reflection cuts 35 are provided outside the outline of a shape corresponding to each of the six display patterns P displayed on the above-mentioned display light-emitting portion E1. Furthermore, the first emission surface 36a is provided with a light-shielding layer 39 that covers the inside of the outline of each display pattern P.

[0057] With the above-described configuration, the light L reflected by the plurality of second reflection cutouts 35 is emitted to the outside of the second light guide unit 32 from the transmission regions of the first emission surface 36a that correspond to the outside of the outline of each display pattern P. This makes it possible to cause the outside of the outline of each display pattern P to emit red light (negative display) as the display light-emitting unit E1.

[0058] 8, both ends of the second light guiding section 32 in the vehicle width direction are connected to the central portion 31a of the first light guiding section 31 via a pair of connecting sections 32a. In addition, one slit section 32b that forms a space K is provided between the pair of connecting sections 32a.

[0059] Furthermore, a light-guiding exit surface 40a facing the space K is provided in the central portion 31a of the first light-guiding section 31. On the other hand, a light-guiding entrance surface 40b facing the space K is provided in the second light-guiding section 32. The light-guiding exit surface 40a and the light-guiding entrance surface 40b are provided parallel to each other in the vehicle width direction.

[0060] Correspondingly, the plurality of first reflection cuts 34 are located on the underside of the central portion 31a of the first light guide portion 31 and are arranged side by side in the extending direction of the first light guide portion 31 with a width corresponding to the slit portion 32b. The plurality of second reflection cuts 35 are also provided outside the outline of a shape corresponding to each of the six display patterns P displayed on the above-mentioned display light-emitting portion E1. Furthermore, the first emission surface 36a is provided with a light-shielding layer 39 that covers the inside of the outline of each display pattern P.

[0061] With the above-described configuration, light L reflected by the plurality of first reflection cuts 34 is emitted from the light guide exit surface 40a toward the space K, and then enters the second light guide 32 from the light guide entrance surface 40b. The light L that enters the second light guide 32 is reflected by the plurality of second reflection cuts 35. Furthermore, the light L reflected by the plurality of second reflection cuts 35 is emitted to the outside of the second light guide 32 from the transmission regions of the first exit surface 36a that correspond to the outside of the outline of each display pattern P. This makes it possible to cause the outside of the outline of each display pattern P to emit red light (negative display) as the display light-emitting unit E1.

[0062] As another configuration of the vehicle display device 1, for example, the vehicle display device 1A shown in Figure 9 has a configuration in which a display light-emitting unit E1 located in the center of the vehicle width direction and a line light-emitting unit E2 located below the display light-emitting unit E1 and extending from the center of the vehicle width direction to both sides of the vehicle width direction are arranged parallel to each other.

[0063] 10, the first light guide unit 31 does not include the curved portion 31c, and has a central portion 31a and a pair of side portions 31b arranged in a straight line. The plurality of third reflection cuts 37 are located on the rear side between the central portion 31a and the pair of side portions 31b of the first light guide unit 31, and are arranged side by side in the direction in which the first light guide unit 31 extends. Other than that, the configuration is basically the same as that of the above-described vehicle display device 1.

[0064] In the vehicle display device 1A having the above-described configuration, each display pattern P is displayed positively by emitting red light in the display light-emitting unit E1, and the line light-emitting unit E2 extending from the center in the vehicle width direction to both sides in the vehicle width direction can be made to emit red light in a line shape as a tail lamp (TLL) of the vehicle lighting fixture 100.

[0065] 11 shows another example of the vehicle display device 1. The vehicle display device 1B has a display light-emitting element E1 located in the center of the vehicle width direction and line light-emitting elements E2 located above the display light-emitting element E1 and extending from the center of the vehicle width direction to both sides of the vehicle width direction, and are arranged parallel to each other. The vehicle display device 1B also has a pair of display light-emitting elements E3 located on both sides of the display light-emitting element E1 in the vehicle width direction, and displaying a decorative display pattern P. In this embodiment, the pair of display light-emitting elements E3 positively display a plurality of triangular marks that form the display pattern P by emitting red light.

[0066] 12, the first light guiding section 31 does not have the curved section 31c, and has a central section 31a and a pair of side sections 31b arranged in a straight line. Correspondingly, the plurality of third reflection cuts 37 are located on the back surface side between the central section 31a and the pair of side sections 31b of the first light guiding section 31, and are arranged side by side in the direction in which the first light guiding section 31 extends.

[0067] In addition, the second light guiding section 32 is located below the central portion 31 a of the first light guiding section 31, and the plurality of first reflection cuts 34 are located on the upper surface side of the central portion 31 a of the first light guiding section 31. In other words, the second light guiding section 32 and the plurality of first reflection cuts 34 are arranged in the opposite direction to the configuration of the above-described vehicle display device 1.

[0068] Furthermore, the light guide 3 has a pair of second light guide portions 32A that protrude downward and have the same width as the pair of side portions 31 b. Correspondingly, the plurality of first reflection cuts 34 are located on the upper surface between the pair of side portions 31 b and are arranged side by side in the direction in which the first light guide portion 31 extends, with a width corresponding to the second light guide portions 32A.

[0069] In the second light guide section 32A, the second reflection cuts 35 are provided inside the outline of a shape corresponding to the plurality of triangular marks that form the display pattern P. On the other hand, the first light exit surface 36a is provided with a light-shielding layer 39 that covers the outside of the outline of each triangular mark. Other than that, the configuration is basically the same as that of the above-described vehicle display device 1.

[0070] In the vehicle display device 1B having the above-described configuration, each display pattern P is displayed positively by emitting red light in the display light-emitting element E1, and as a tail lamp (TLL) of the vehicle lighting fixture 100, the line light-emitting element E2 extending from the center in the vehicle width direction to both sides in the vehicle width direction emits red light in a line, and multiple triangular marks that become the display pattern P in the display light-emitting element E3 emit red light.

[0071] The light guide 3 of the vehicle display device 1 may have a configuration on the incident portion 33 side, such as that shown in parts (A) and (B) of FIG.

[0072] 13A has a curved shape with curved portions 31d between both side portions 31b and the incident portion 33. This allows the arrangement of the light source 2 to be changed as desired.

[0073] 13B has a shape that is bent via an inclined reflecting surface 31e between the side portions 31b and the incident portion 33. This allows the arrangement of the light source 2 to be changed as desired. Furthermore, light L incident on the incident surface 33a is reflected by the inclined reflecting surface 31e, and then guided from the side portions 31b of the first light guiding portion 31 to the central portion 31a via the curved portion 31c.

[0074] Instead of the flat (planar) incident surface 33a described above, the incident portion 33 has a lens shape that focuses the light L radially emitted from the light source 2 toward the optical axis and enters the inside of the first light-guiding portion 31.

[0075] Specifically, the incident portion 33 has a first collecting incident surface 33b located in the center of the portion facing the light source 2, on which a portion of the light L emitted from the light source 2 is incident, a second collecting incident surface 33c located on the inner side of a protrusion that protrudes toward the light source 2 from a position surrounding the periphery of the first collecting incident surface 33b, on which a portion of the light L emitted from the light source 2 is incident, and a collecting reflection surface 33d located on the outer side of the protrusion, which reflects the light L incident from the second collecting incident surface 33c.

[0076] In the incident portion 33, of the light L radially emitted from the light source 2, the light L that enters the first light guiding portion 31 from the first light-collecting incident surface 33b is collected toward the optical axis. On the other hand, the light L that enters the first light guiding portion 31 from the second light-collecting incident surface 33c is reflected by the light-collecting reflecting surface 33d, thereby collecting the light L toward the optical axis. This makes it possible for the light L radially emitted from the light source 2 to enter the first light guiding portion 31 while being collected toward the optical axis.

[0077] 13C has a shape in which light branches in opposite directions via branching portions 31f from a position facing the incident portion 33. This makes it possible to configure a plurality of first light guiding portions 31 in such a manner that they are connected via the branching portions 31f.

[0078] In the above embodiment, an example is given of the application of the present invention to a vehicle display device 1 mounted on the rear side of the vehicle as described above, but it is also possible to apply the present invention to a vehicle display device mounted on the front side of the vehicle.

[0079] Specifically, the present invention can be applied to a vehicle display device that is mounted on the front side of a vehicle B, is positioned in the center of the vehicle width direction, and has a display light-emitting element E1 that emits white light to display the vehicle name, brand name such as the manufacturer's name, or a logo mark as a display pattern P, and a pair of line light-emitting elements E2 that emit white light in a line shape as sidelights (position lamps) or daytime running lights (DRLs) of a vehicle lamp.

[0080] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A, 1B... Vehicle display device 2... Light source 3... Light guide 31... First light guide section 31a... Central section 31b... Side sections 31c... Curved section 31d... Curved section 31e... Inclined reflective surface 31f... Branching section 32, 32A... Second light guide section 33... Incident section 34... First reflection cut 35... Second reflection cut 36... First emission section 37... Third reflection cut 38... Second emission section 39... Light-shielding layer 40a... Light guide exit surface 40b... Light guide entrance surface 100... Vehicle lamp TLL... Tail lamp E1... Display light-emitting section E2... Line light-emitting section E3... Display light-emitting section P... Display pattern L... Light

Claims

1. A light source and a light guide, the light guide comprising: a rod-shaped first light guide extending from one end facing the light source to the other end; a plate-shaped second light guide located between one end and the other end of the first light guide and protruding toward one side in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the first light guide; an incident portion located at at least one end of the first light guide and allowing light emitted from the light source to enter the first light guide; a plurality of first reflection cuts located on the side of the first light guide opposite the side from which the second light guide protrudes and reflecting a portion of the light guided inside the first light guide toward the second light guide; and a plurality of second reflection cuts located on the back side of the second light guide and reflecting the light guided inside the second light guide toward the front side of the second light guide. a display light-emitting unit located on a front side of the second light-guiding unit, which emits light reflected by the plurality of second reflection cuts to the outside from the front side of the second light-guiding unit, thereby emitting light in a shape corresponding to a display pattern formed by the plurality of second reflection cuts.

2. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, characterized in that the light guide has a plurality of third reflection cuts located on the rear side of the first light guide section that reflect light guided inside the first light guide section toward the front side of the first light guide section, and a line light emitting section located on the front side of the first light guide section that emits light reflected by the plurality of third reflection cuts from the front side of the first light guide section to the outside, thereby emitting light in a line.

3. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein the display light-emitting section is configured by arranging a plurality of display patterns in the direction in which the first light-guiding section of the second light-guiding section extends.

4. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second light guide section has a plurality of connection sections connected to the first light guide section, and slit sections that form spaces between adjacent ones of the plurality of connection sections.

5. The vehicle display device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of first reflection cuts are provided at portions facing the plurality of connection portions.

6. The vehicle display device according to claim 4, characterized in that the connection portion is provided so as to connect both ends of the first light-guiding portion and the second light-guiding portion, the first light-guiding portion has a light-guiding exit surface located on the side facing the space, the second light-guiding portion has a light-guiding entrance surface located on the side facing the space, and light emitted from the light-guiding exit surface towards the space enters the inside of the second light-guiding portion from the light-guiding entrance surface.

Images