Display lighting fixture

Abstract

Provided is a display lighting fixture configured to emit outgoing light from a light source toward the front of a lighting fixture through a light transmission control member and thereby to make a partial area of the light transmission control member emit light, wherein the partial area appears bright when turning on the lighting fixture. The light transmission control member 30 is configured by comprising: an incident portion 32 for making the outgoing light from the light source 20 incident; and first and second reflection surfaces 34, 36 for sequentially totally reflecting the light made incident from the rear end surface 32a of the incident portion 32. At this time, the first reflection surface 34 is formed so as to totally reflect the light incident from the incident portion 32 toward an outer peripheral direction about a virtual axis Ax extending in the longitudinal direction of the light fixture on the front surface 30a of the light transmission control member 30. The second reflection surface 36 is configured such that reflection elements 36As, 36Bs for totally reflecting the light totally reflected by the first reflection surface 34 toward a direction of exiting from the front surface 30a are formed in a region corresponding to a partial region Z in the rear surface 30b of the light transmission control member 30.

Description

Display lamp

[0001] The present invention relates to an indicator lamp to be mounted on a vehicle or the like.

[0002] Conventionally, indicator lamps mounted on vehicles and the like have been known that are configured to emit light from a light source through a light-transmittance control member toward the front of the lamp, thereby causing a partial area of ​​the light-transmittance control member to emit light.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a light transmission control member for such an indicator lamp, which is configured so that light emitted from a light source is incident through a light incident surface formed on the rear surface, and then is totally reflected toward the outer periphery by an internal reflection surface formed on the front surface, and then is diffusely reflected by a light diffusion surface formed on the rear surface.

[0004] The rear surface of the light-transmitting control member described in Patent Document 1 is configured as a light diffusing surface in its entirety except for the light incident surface, and this light diffusing surface is formed so as to extend in a flat plane as an uneven surface obtained by surface roughening treatment.

[0005] The light-transmittance control member described in Patent Document 1 is configured so that light that is totally reflected by its internal reflection surface is diffusely reflected by the light diffusion surface, and direct light from the light source is incident on the light diffusion surface, so that the entire area on the rear surface other than the light incident surface appears to be illuminated approximately uniformly.

[0006] JP 2018-185953 A

[0007] In terms of enhancing the display function of such an indicator lamp, it is desirable to configure the light-transmitting control member so that a portion of the light-transmitting control member appears to glow when the lamp is turned on, and to make this portion appear to glow as brightly as possible.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an indicator lamp that is configured to illuminate a partial area of ​​a light-transmitting control member by irradiating light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp through a light-transmitting control member, and that can make the partial area appear to glow brightly when the lamp is turned on.

[0009] The present invention is intended to achieve the above object by devising a configuration for the light-transmittance control member.

[0010] That is, the indicator lamp according to the present invention is an indicator lamp configured to illuminate a partial area of ​​the light-transmission control member by irradiating light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp through a light-transmission control member, wherein the light-transmission control member comprises an incident portion to which the light emitted from the light source is incident, and first and second reflecting surfaces which sequentially totally reflect the light incident from the incident portion, the first reflecting surface being formed on the front surface of the light-transmission control member so as to totally reflect the light incident from the incident portion toward the outer periphery around an imaginary axis extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, and the second reflecting surface being configured such that a plurality of reflecting elements are formed on a portion of the rear surface of the light-transmission control member corresponding to the partial area, the second reflecting surface totally reflecting the light totally reflected by the first reflecting surface toward the direction of emission from the front surface.

[0011] The above-mentioned "indicator lamp" is not particularly limited in type as long as it is configured so that a partial area of ​​the light-transmitting control member can emit light, and for example, an illuminating emblem or indicator lamp attached to a vehicle or the like can be adopted.

[0012] The type of the "light source" is not particularly limited, and it is possible to use, for example, a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode, an incandescent bulb, etc. Furthermore, the "light source" may be singular or plural.

[0013] The specific shape of the above-mentioned "light-transmitting control member" is not particularly limited as long as it has an incident portion that allows light emitted from a light source to enter, and first and second reflecting surfaces that sequentially totally reflect the light that has entered from this incident portion.

[0014] The specific location and size of the "partial region" are not particularly limited.

[0015] The specific shape of the "first reflecting surface" is not particularly limited, as long as it is formed on the front surface of the light-transmitting control member so as to totally reflect the light incident from the incident portion toward the outer periphery around a virtual axis extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp.

[0016] The "second reflective surface" is configured such that a plurality of reflective elements are formed in a portion of the rear surface of the light-transmitting control member corresponding to the partial region, and the reflective elements totally reflect the light totally reflected by the first reflective surface in the direction of emission from the front surface of the light-transmitting control member, and the specific shape of each of the plurality of reflective elements is not particularly limited.

[0017] The "direction of emission from the front surface of the light-transmitting control member" may be the front direction of the lamp, or a direction inclined from the front direction of the lamp.

[0018] The indicator lamp according to the present invention is configured to illuminate a partial area of ​​the light-transmitting control member by irradiating light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp through the light-transmitting control member. The light-transmitting control member has an incident portion that receives the light emitted from the light source, and first and second reflecting surfaces that sequentially totally reflect the light incident from the incident portion. The first reflecting surface is formed on the front surface of the light-transmitting control member so as to totally reflect the light incident from the incident portion toward the outer periphery around an imaginary axis extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp. The second reflecting surface is configured so as to have a plurality of reflecting elements formed on a portion of the rear surface of the light-transmitting control member that corresponds to the partial area, and that totally reflect the light totally reflected by the first reflecting surface toward the direction of emission from the front surface of the light-transmitting control member. Therefore, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.

[0019] That is, the light emitted from the light source and incident on the light-transmitting control member from its incident portion is sequentially totally reflected by the first and second reflecting surfaces of the light-transmitting control member, and at this time, the light that has been totally reflected by the first reflecting surface and then reaches the second reflecting surface is totally reflected by the multiple reflecting elements in the direction of emission from the front surface of the light-transmitting control member, so that the above-mentioned partial area can be made to appear to emit bright light when the lamp is turned on.

[0020] Thus, according to the present invention, in an indicator lamp configured to emit light from a partial area of ​​the light-transmission control member by irradiating the light emitted from the light source toward the front of the lamp through the light-transmission control member, the partial area can be made to appear to glow brightly when the lamp is turned on, thereby improving the display function of the indicator lamp.

[0021] In the above configuration, if the first reflecting surface is further configured to be divided into a plurality of annular reflecting regions centered on the virtual axis, and each of the plurality of annular reflecting regions is configured to be an annular convex curved surface portion formed so as to totally reflect the light incident from the incident portion as convergent light within a plane including the virtual axis, the following effects can be obtained.

[0022] In other words, since the light totally reflected by the first reflecting surface can be made to reach the second reflecting surface as substantially uniform diffused light, the brightness of the light totally reflected in the direction of emission from the front surface by the plurality of reflecting elements formed in the portion corresponding to the partial region can also be made uniform, and as a result, the partial region can be made to appear to emit light with substantially uniform brightness as a light-transmitting control member when the lamp is turned on.

[0023] In the above configuration, if the first reflective surface is configured so that the inner reflective area and the outer reflective area are formed in a stepped manner with a step portion interposed therebetween, and if a portion of the light that is totally reflected by the inner reflective area is emitted from the step portion and then re-enters from the outer reflective area, the occurrence of light that is not totally reflected by the first reflective surface and is emitted forward of the lamp can be minimized.

[0024] In the above configuration, if the light-transmitting control member is further configured so that the portion on its front surface corresponding to the above-mentioned partial area protrudes toward the front of the lamp, the above-mentioned partial area can be made to appear to emit light clearly when the lamp is turned on.

[0025] In the above configuration, if a light-blocking member that blocks a portion of the light emitted from the light-transmitting control member is further arranged forward of the lamp than the light-transmitting control member, and if this light-blocking member is configured so that an opening is formed in a portion corresponding to the above-mentioned partial area, then when the lamp is turned on, only the above-mentioned partial area can be seen to be clearly luminous.

[0026] In the above configuration, if the light sources are further arranged in multiple locations in the area other than the partial area, and the light-transmitting control member is configured so that first and second reflecting surfaces are formed at each of the multiple locations, the partial area can be made to appear to emit light more brightly and uniformly when the lamp is turned on.

[0027] In the above configuration, the first reflecting surface is further configured to be composed of a plurality of reflecting elements allocated to a plurality of wedge-shaped regions that are radially divided around the virtual axis on the front surface of the light-transmitting control member, and each of the plurality of reflecting elements is configured to have a pair of inclined surfaces that have a mountain-shaped cross section and extend toward the outer periphery, and the light that enters from the incident portion is sequentially totally reflected by this pair of inclined surfaces, thereby obtaining the following effects.

[0028] That is, the first reflecting surface needs to be configured to have a shape with a certain depth in order to totally reflect the light incident from the incident portion toward the outer periphery around the virtual axis, but by configuring this first reflecting surface with a plurality of reflecting elements each having a pair of inclined surfaces, the required depth dimension can be reduced, and as a result, the depth dimension of the light-transmitting control member can be reduced, thereby enabling the indicator lamp to be made thinner.

[0029] In this case, if each of the multiple reflective elements is configured to extend at an angle toward the front of the lamp toward the outer periphery, it becomes easy to totally reflect the light that is sequentially totally reflected by the pair of inclined surfaces in the direction of emission from the front surface of the light-transmitting control member in the multiple reflective elements that make up the second reflective surface, without causing the light to be emitted from the rear surface of the light-transmitting control member toward the rear of the lamp.

[0030] Furthermore, if the light-transmitting control member is configured so that its rear surface is a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, and the incident portion is configured as a plane flush with this rear surface, the configuration of the light-transmitting control member can be simplified and its depth dimension can be reduced.

[0031] 1 is a front view showing an indicator lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a detailed view of part III of FIG. 2; FIG. 1 is a rear view showing a light-transmission control member of the indicator lamp alone; FIG. 2 is a front view showing the indicator lamp in a lit state; FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a first modified example of the embodiment; FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a second modified example of the embodiment;

[0032] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0033] Fig. 1 is a front view showing an indicator lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1.

[0034] 1 and 2, the direction indicated by X is the "front of the lamp," the direction indicated by Y is the "left direction" (the "right direction" when viewed from the front of the lamp) perpendicular to the "front of the lamp," and the direction indicated by Z is the "upward direction." This is the same in other figures.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an indicator lamp 10 according to this embodiment is a light-emitting emblem to be attached to a vehicle or the like, and has a vertically symmetrical configuration.

[0036] The indicator lamp 10 is configured such that two light sources 20 and a light-transmission control member 30 are incorporated into a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a plain light-transmitting cover 14 attached to the front end opening of the lamp body 12. The indicator lamp 10 is configured such that light emitted from the two light sources 20 is irradiated forward of the lamp via the light-transmission control member 30, causing a partial region Z of the light-transmission control member 30 to appear to emit light when viewed from the front of the lamp.

[0037] That is, the partial region Z corresponds to the luminous shape of the luminous emblem, and is composed of a central region ZA formed in a right-facing V-shape (a left-facing V-shape when viewed from the front of the lamp), and a peripheral region ZB formed in a horizontally elongated ring shape around the central region ZA. In this case, the left edge of the central region ZA extends to a position where it overlaps with the peripheral region ZB at two points above and below, but there is a certain gap between the left edge of the central region ZA and the peripheral region ZB.

[0038] The two light sources 20 are both white light-emitting diodes, and are arranged spaced apart in the vertical direction with their light-emitting surfaces 20a facing forward (specifically, toward the front of the lamp). The pair of upper and lower light sources 20 are mounted on a common substrate 22 and supported by the lamp body 12.

[0039] The light-transmitting control member 30 is a colorless, transparent resin member (e.g., a polycarbonate resin member) that has a horizontally elongated oval outer shape when viewed from the front of the lamp and is disposed so as to cover the pair of upper and lower light sources 20 from the front side of the lamp. The light-transmitting control member 30 has an outer peripheral flange portion 30c that is formed on the outer periphery of the substrate 22 and extends toward the rear side of the lamp, and is supported by the lamp body 12 at this outer peripheral flange portion 30c.

[0040] The light-transmitting control member 30 includes a pair of upper and lower incident portions 32 for receiving light emitted from a pair of upper and lower light sources 20, a pair of upper and lower first reflecting surfaces 34 for totally reflecting the light incident from the pair of upper and lower incident portions 32, and second reflecting surfaces 36A, 36B for totally reflecting the light totally reflected from the pair of upper and lower first reflecting surfaces 34.

[0041] Each of the pair of upper and lower incident portions 32 is disposed on the rear surface 30 b of the light-transmitting control member 30 so as to be positioned in front of the corresponding one of the pair of upper and lower light sources 20 .

[0042] Each of the pair of upper and lower first reflecting surfaces 34 is disposed on the front surface 30 a of the light-transmitting control member 30 so as to be positioned in front of the corresponding one of the pair of upper and lower incident portions 32 of the lamp.

[0043] The second reflecting surfaces 36A and 36B are disposed on the rear surface 30b of the light-transmitting control member 30 at portions corresponding to the central area ZA and the peripheral area ZB of the partial area Z.

[0044] Fig. 3 is a detailed view of part III in Fig. 2. In Fig. 3, the indicator lamp 10 is shown with the front of the lamp facing upward.

[0045] 3 , each incident portion 32 is formed so as to protrude in a truncated cone shape from the rear surface 30b of the light-transmitting control member 30 toward the rear of the lamp, and its rear end surface 32a is configured as an incident surface onto which light emitted from each light source 20 is incident. In this case, each incident portion 32 is formed around an imaginary axis Ax that extends in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp and passes through the light-emitting center of each light source 20. As a result, each incident portion 32 refracts light emitted from each light source 20 from its rear end surface 32a in a direction closer to the imaginary axis Ax, causing the light to enter the light-transmitting control member 30.

[0046] Each first reflecting surface 34 is composed of a single annular convex curved surface portion centered on the imaginary axis Ax, and is formed so as to totally reflect the incident light from each incident portion 32 toward the outer periphery around the imaginary axis Ax. At this time, each first reflecting surface 34 totally reflects the incident light from each incident portion 32 as convergent light toward the rear of the lamp within a plane including the imaginary axis Ax.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the light-transmitting control member 30 alone.

[0048] 4, the second reflecting surface 36A is composed of a plurality of reflecting elements 36As, and the second reflecting surface 36B is composed of a plurality of reflecting elements 36Bs. These plurality of reflecting elements 36As, 36Bs are arranged concentrically in the upper half of the second reflecting surfaces 36A, 36B about an imaginary axis Ax located above (i.e., an axis passing through the light-emitting center of the light source 20 located above), and all have a sawtooth cross-sectional shape. Furthermore, these plurality of reflecting elements 36As, 36Bs are arranged concentrically in the lower half of the second reflecting surfaces 36A, 36B about an imaginary axis Ax located below, and all have a sawtooth cross-sectional shape.

[0049] These multiple reflective elements 36As, 36Bs are formed so as to totally reflect the light emitted from the light source 20 that has been totally reflected by the first reflective surface 34 in the direction in which it is emitted from the front surface 30a of the light-transmitting control member 30 (specifically, approximately in the direction of the front of the lamp).

[0050] 1 and 2 , the front surface 30a of the light-transmitting control member 30 is formed in a state where a portion corresponding to the partial region Z protrudes toward the front side of the lamp. That is, on the front surface 30a of the light-transmitting control member 30, a portion corresponding to the central region ZA of the partial region Z is formed as a protruding region 38A, and a portion corresponding to the peripheral region ZB of the partial region Z is formed as a protruding region 38B. In this case, these protruding regions 38A and 36B are formed so that their front surfaces extend parallel to the front surface 30a of the light-transmitting control member 30, and the protruding amounts from the front surface 30a of the light-transmitting control member 30 are set to the same value.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a front view showing the indicator lamp 10 in a lit state.

[0052] As shown in Figure 5, when a pair of upper and lower light sources 20 in the display lamp 10 are turned on, the emitted light enters the light-transmitting control member 30 and is irradiated from this light-transmitting control member 30 forward of the lamp, causing a partial area Z to appear to glow.

[0053] In this case, the light-transmitting control member 30 has a protruding region 38A located in the central region ZA of the partial region Z that appears to emit bright light in a right-facing V-shape, and a protruding region 38B located in the peripheral region ZB of the partial region Z that appears to emit bright light in a horizontally elongated ring shape.

[0054] This is because when the light emitted from the pair of upper and lower light sources 20 incident on the light-transmitting control member 30 through the pair of upper and lower incident portions 32 is sequentially totally reflected by the pair of upper and lower first reflecting surfaces 34 and second reflecting surfaces 36A, 36B, the light that is totally reflected by the pair of upper and lower first reflecting surfaces 34 and reaches the second reflecting surfaces 36A, 36B is totally reflected by the multiple reflecting elements 36As, 36Bs toward the protruding regions 38A, 38B.

[0055] In this case, only the central region ZA and peripheral region ZB constituting the partial region Z of the light-transmitting control member 30 appear to emit bright light, but it is possible that areas other than the partial region Z may also appear to glow partially due to leakage light from areas located directly in front of the pair of upper and lower light sources 20 in the pair of upper and lower incident sections 32.

[0056] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0057] The indicator lamp 10 according to this embodiment is configured to irradiate light emitted from the light source 20 through the light-transmitting control member 30 toward the front of the lamp, thereby causing a partial region Z of the light-transmitting control member 30 to emit light. The light-transmitting control member 30 has an incident portion 32 that receives the light emitted from the light source 20, and first and second reflecting surfaces 34, 36A, 36B that sequentially totally reflect the light incident from the incident portion 32. In addition, the first reflecting surface 34 is configured to reflect the incident light on a front surface 30a of the light-transmitting control member 30. The second reflecting surfaces 36A, 36B are formed so as to totally reflect the light incident from the portion 32 in the outer circumferential direction around an imaginary axis Ax extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, and the second reflecting surfaces 36A, 36B are configured so that reflecting elements 36As, 36Bs are formed in a portion corresponding to a partial area Z on the rear surface 30b of the light-transmitting control member 30, which totally reflect the light totally reflected by the first reflecting surface 34 in a direction approximately towards the front of the lamp (i.e., the direction in which it is emitted from the front surface 30a), thereby obtaining the following effects.

[0058] That is, the light emitted from the light source 20 and incident on the light-transmitting control member 30 from its incident portion 32 is sequentially totally reflected by the first and second reflecting surfaces 34, 36A, 36B of the light-transmitting control member 30. At this time, the light that has been totally reflected by the first reflecting surface 34 and then reaches the second reflecting surfaces 36A and 36B is totally reflected by the multiple reflecting elements 36As and 36Bs toward approximately the front of the lamp, so that a portion of the area Z can be made to appear to emit bright light when the lamp is turned on.

[0059] As described above, according to this embodiment, in the indicator lamp 10 configured to emit light from a partial region Z of the light-transmitting control member 30 by irradiating the light emitted from the light source 20 toward the front of the lamp via the light-transmitting control member 30, the partial region Z can be made to appear to glow brightly when the lamp is turned on, thereby improving the display function of the indicator lamp 10.

[0060] Furthermore, in the display lamp 10 of this embodiment, the portion corresponding to the partial area Z on the front surface 30a of the light-transmitting control member 30 is formed with protruding areas 38A, 36B that protrude toward the front side of the lamp, so that when the lamp is turned on, the partial area Z can be made to appear to be clearly illuminated.

[0061] Furthermore, in the display lamp 10 according to this embodiment, the light sources 20 are arranged in two locations, one above and one below the area other than the partial area Z, and the light-transmitting control member 30 is configured so that a first reflecting surface 34 is formed at each of these two locations, so that when the lamp is turned on, the light-transmitting control member 30 can make the partial area Z appear to emit light more brightly and uniformly.

[0062] Furthermore, in the light-transmitting control member 30 of this embodiment, the multiple reflective elements 36As, 36B that make up the second reflective surfaces 36A, 36B are arranged concentrically around the pair of upper and lower light sources 20 and have a sawtooth cross-sectional shape, so that light that reaches these second reflective surfaces 36A, 36B can be efficiently totally reflected toward approximately the front of the lamp.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the partial area Z along the luminous shape of the luminous emblem is described as being composed of a right-facing V-shaped central area ZA and a horizontally elongated elliptical annular peripheral area ZB, but it is also possible to configure it in a shape other than this.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the multiple reflective elements 36As, 36Bs that make up the second reflective surfaces 36A, 36B are described as being arranged concentrically around the pair of upper and lower light sources 20 and having a sawtooth cross-sectional shape, but it is also possible to adopt other configurations (for example, a configuration in which multiple reflective elements having an approximately hemispherical surface shape are distributed two-dimensionally, etc.).

[0065] In the above embodiment, the configuration of the multiple reflective elements 36As, 36Bs has been described as being formed so as to totally reflect light that reaches the second reflective surfaces 36A, 36B in a direction generally toward the front of the lamp, but it is also possible for the reflective elements to be formed so as to totally reflect light in a direction other than generally toward the front of the lamp, as long as the light is emitted in a direction other than the direction generally toward the front of the lamp from the front surface 30a of the light-transmitting control member 30.

[0066] In the above embodiment, it has been described that the light sources 20 are arranged at two locations, above and below, in an area other than the partial area Z, but it is also possible to configure the two light sources 20 to be arranged in positions different from those in the above embodiment, and it is also possible to configure the light sources 20 to be arranged in one or more than three light sources 20.

[0067] Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0068] First, a first modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0069] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing an indicator lamp 110 according to this modified example.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 6, the basic configuration of this modification is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the light-transmitting control member 130 is partially different from that of the above embodiment.

[0071] That is, the light-transmitting control member 130 of this modified example has a basic configuration similar to that of the light-transmitting control member 30 of the above embodiment, with the incident portion 132 and second reflecting surfaces 136A and 136B formed on the rear surface 130b, and the first reflecting surface 134 and protruding regions 138A and 136B formed on the front surface 130a, but the configurations of these protruding regions 138A and 136B are different from those of the above embodiment.

[0072] Specifically, in this modified example of the light-transmitting control member 130, the front surfaces of the protruding regions 138A and 136B are made up of embossed surfaces 138As and 136Bs, which causes the light reaching the second reflecting surfaces 136A and 136B to be emitted forward of the lamp as diffused light.

[0073] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, substantially the same effects as those in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0074] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the configuration of the indicator lamp 110 can be such that when the lamp is turned on, the central area ZA and peripheral area ZB that constitute a portion of area Z of the light-transmitting control member 130 appear to glow approximately uniformly.

[0075] Next, a second modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0076] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the main part of an indicator lamp 210 according to this modified example.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 7, the basic configuration of this modification is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the light-transmitting control member 230 is partially different from that of the above embodiment.

[0078] That is, the light-transmitting control member 230 of this modified example has the same basic configuration as the light-transmitting control member 30 of the above embodiment, with the incident portion 232 and second reflecting surfaces 236A and 236B formed on the rear surface 230b, and the first reflecting surface 234 formed on the front surface 230a, but the configuration of this first reflecting surface 234 is different from that of the above embodiment.

[0079] Specifically, the first reflecting surface 234 in the light-transmitting control member 230 of this modified example has a configuration in which an inner periphery-side reflecting region 234A and an outer periphery-side reflecting region 234B are formed in a stepped shape with a step portion 234c interposed therebetween.

[0080] In this case, the inner reflective area 234A is configured as an annular convex curved surface portion with a large rising angle toward the front side of the lamp, and its front edge is located rearward of the lamp relative to the front surface 230a of the light-transmitting control member 230. On the other hand, the outer reflective area 234B is configured as an annular convex curved surface portion with a small rising angle toward the front side of the lamp.

[0081] The light-transmitting control member 230 of this modified example is configured such that a portion of the light emitted from the light source 20 is incident on the rear end surface 232 a of the incident portion 232, is totally reflected by the inner peripheral side reflection region 234A of the first reflection surface 234, is emitted from the step portion 234 c toward the outer periphery, and then re-enters from the outer peripheral side reflection region 234B.

[0082] In addition, in the light-transmitting control member 230 of this modified example, the second reflecting surfaces 236A, 236B are composed of a plurality of reflecting elements 236As, 236Bs similar to those in the above embodiment, and protruding regions 238A, 238B similar to those in the above embodiment are formed on the front surface 230a.

[0083] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, substantially the same effects as those in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0084] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, it is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of light that is not totally reflected by the first reflecting surface 234 of the light-transmitting control member 230 and is emitted in front of the lamp.

[0085] Next, a third modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0086] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the main part of an indicator lamp 310 according to this modified example.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 8, the basic configuration of this modification is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the light-transmitting control member 330 is partially different from that of the above embodiment.

[0088] That is, the light-transmitting control member 330 of this modified example has the same basic configuration as the light-transmitting control member 30 of the above embodiment, with the incident portion 332 and second reflecting surfaces 336A, 336B formed on the rear surface 330b, and the first reflecting surface 334 formed on the front surface 330a, but the configuration of this first reflecting surface 334 is different from that of the above embodiment.

[0089] Specifically, the first reflecting surface 334 of this modified example is divided into a plurality of annular reflecting regions 334s centered on the imaginary axis Ax, and each of these plurality of annular reflecting regions 334s is composed of an annular convex curved surface portion formed so as to totally reflect, within a plane including the imaginary axis Ax, the light emitted from the light source 20 and incident from the rear end surface 332a of the incident portion 332, as convergent light. As a result, the first reflecting surface 334 as a whole is configured to cause the light totally reflected as convergent light by each of the plurality of annular reflecting regions 334s to reach the second reflecting surfaces 336A, 336B as substantially uniformly diffused light.

[0090] In addition, in the light-transmittance control member 330 of this modified example, the second reflecting surfaces 336A, 336B are composed of a plurality of reflecting elements 336As, 336Bs similar to those in the above embodiment, and protruding regions 338A, 338B similar to those in the above embodiment are formed on the front surface 330a.

[0091] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, substantially the same effects as those in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0092] Furthermore, by employing the configuration of this modification, the light totally reflected by the first reflecting surface 334 of the light-transmitting control member 330 can be made to reach the second reflecting surfaces 336A, 336B as substantially uniformly diffused light, and therefore the brightness can also be made uniform for the light totally reflected substantially in the front direction of the lamp (i.e., the direction of emission from the front surface 330a) by the plurality of reflecting elements 336As, 336Bs formed in the portions corresponding to the partial region Z. As a result, when the lamp is turned on, the partial region Z of the light-transmitting control member 330 can be made to appear to emit light with substantially uniform brightness.

[0093] Next, a fourth modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0094] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing an indicator lamp 410 according to this modified example.

[0095] As shown in Figure 9, the basic configuration of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but it differs from the above embodiment in that a light-blocking member 450 is additionally provided to block a portion of the light irradiated from the light-transmitting control member 30.

[0096] The light blocking member 450 is an opaque resin member formed in a flat plate shape, and is arranged to extend along a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, further forward than the light-transmittance controlling member 30. Openings 450a, 450b having inner circumferential shapes slightly larger than the outer shapes of the protruding regions 38A, 38B of the light-transmittance controlling member 30 are formed in the light blocking member 450 at locations corresponding to the protruding regions 38A, 38B of the light-transmittance controlling member 30. The protruding regions 38A, 38B of the light-transmittance controlling member 30 are inserted into the openings 450a, 450b from the rear side of the lamp, so that the light blocking member 450 is fixed to the light-transmittance controlling member 30 in a state where it is arranged to cover the light-transmittance controlling member 30 from the front side of the lamp.

[0097] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, substantially the same effects as those in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0098] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the indicator lamp 410 can be configured so that only the protruding regions 38A, 38B of the light-transmitting control member 30 are visible when the lamp is viewed from the front.

[0099] Therefore, when the lamp is turned on, the central region ZA and peripheral region ZB constituting the partial region Z of the light-transmitting control member 30 can be made to appear to shine clearly, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation in which the other regions appear to shine unintentionally. Furthermore, when the lamp is turned off, it is possible to make the protruding regions 38A and 38B of the light-transmitting control member 30 appear to be clearly separated from the other regions. This improves the display function of the indicator lamp 410 both when the lamp is turned on and when the lamp is turned off.

[0100] In the above fourth modified example, the light-blocking member 450 is described as being formed in a flat plate shape, but it is also possible to configure it so that an outer peripheral flange portion extending toward the rear of the lamp is formed on its outer peripheral edge, and that it is supported by the lamp body 12 at this outer peripheral flange portion.

[0101] Next, a fifth modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0102] 10 and 11 are views similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, showing an indicator lamp 510 according to this modified example.

[0103] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the basic configuration of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the light-transmitting control member 530 is partially different from that of the above embodiment, and therefore the configuration of the lamp body 512 is also partially different from that of the above embodiment.

[0104] Specifically, in the light-transmittance control member 530 of this modification, the configurations of the incident portion 532 and the first reflecting surface 534 are different from those in the above embodiment.

[0105] That is, the first reflecting surface 534 of the light-transmitting control member 530 is composed of a plurality of reflecting elements 534s allocated to a plurality of wedge-shaped regions that are radially divided around the virtual axis Ax on the front surface 530a of the light-transmitting control member 530.

[0106] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the detail of the portion XII in FIG.

[0107] As also shown in Figure 12, each of the multiple reflecting elements 534s is composed of a pair of inclined surfaces 534s1, 534s2 that have a mountain-shaped cross-sectional shape and extend toward the outer periphery, and these pair of inclined surfaces 534s1, 534s2 are configured to sequentially totally reflect light incident from the incident portion 532.

[0108] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the light-transmitting control member 530 of this modified example is configured so that the light that is sequentially totally reflected by the pair of inclined surfaces 534s1 and 534s2 is directed toward the area on the rear surface 530b of the light-transmitting control member 530 where the second reflecting surfaces 536A and 536B are formed.

[0109] Each of the plurality of reflective elements 534s is formed to extend linearly at an incline toward the outer periphery. Each of the plurality of reflective elements 534s is formed to extend at an incline toward the front of the lamp toward the outer periphery so that light that is sequentially totally reflected by the pair of inclined surfaces 534s1, 534s2 is efficiently incident on the second reflective surfaces 536A, 536B. Furthermore, the opening angle (included angle) of the pair of inclined surfaces 534s1, 534s2 that constitute each of the plurality of reflective elements 534s is set to a value of approximately 90°.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 12, the first reflecting surface 534 has a circular outer shape when the lamp is viewed from the front.

[0111] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the light-transmitting control member 530 of this modified example does not have a configuration with an outer peripheral flange portion 30c like the light-transmitting control member 30 of the above embodiment, and is supported by the lamp body 512 at a rear surface 530b of the light-transmitting control member 530.

[0112] Furthermore, unlike the light-transmitting control member 30 of the above embodiment, the light-transmitting control member 530 of this modified example does not have the incident portion 32 protruding in a truncated cone shape formed on the rear surface 30b, but has a configuration in which the rear surface 530b is disposed in close proximity to the substrate 22. The incident portion 532 is configured as a flat surface flush with the rear surface 530b. That is, the incident portion 532 of this modified example is configured as a circular region on the rear surface 530b of the light-transmitting control member 530, with the virtual axis line Ax as its center.

[0113] In the indicator lamp 510 according to this modification, the positional relationship between the light-transmitting cover 14 and the light-transmitting control member 530 is the same as in the above embodiment. Therefore, in the lamp body 512 according to this modification, the height of the outer peripheral flange portion 512a that supports the light-transmitting cover 14 is lower than in the above embodiment. As a result, the indicator lamp 510 according to this modification has a smaller depth dimension in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp than in the above embodiment.

[0114] In this modification, as in the above embodiment, second reflective surface 536A is made up of a plurality of reflective elements 536As, and second reflective surface 536B is made up of a plurality of reflective elements 536Bs. Furthermore, on front surface 530a of light-transmitting control member 530, a portion of partial region Z corresponding to central region ZA is formed as protruding region 538A, and a portion of partial region Z corresponding to peripheral region ZB is formed as protruding region 538B.

[0115] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, substantially the same effects as those in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0116] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the following effects can be obtained.

[0117] That is, the first reflecting surface 534 of the light-transmitting control member 530 of this modified example is composed of a plurality of reflecting elements 534s allocated to a plurality of wedge-shaped regions that are radially divided around the imaginary axis Ax on the front surface 530a of the light-transmitting control member 530, and each of the plurality of reflecting elements 534s is composed of a pair of inclined surfaces 534s1, 534s2 that have a mountain-shaped cross section and extend toward the outer periphery, and the pair of inclined surfaces 534s1, 534s2 are configured to sequentially totally reflect the light that has entered from the incident portion 532, so that the following effects can be obtained.

[0118] That is, the first reflecting surface 534 needs to be configured to have a shape with a certain depth in order to totally reflect the light incident from the incident portion 532 in the outer circumferential direction around the imaginary axis line Ax, but the necessary depth dimension can be reduced by configuring the first reflecting surface 534 with a plurality of reflecting elements 534s each having a pair of inclined surfaces 534s1, 534s2. This allows the depth dimension of the light-transmitting control member 530 to be reduced, and therefore the indicator lamp 510 can be made thinner.

[0119] In this case, each of the multiple reflective elements 534s is formed so as to extend at an angle toward the front of the lamp in the outer circumferential direction, so that the light that is sequentially totally reflected by the pair of inclined surfaces 534s1, 534s2 can easily be totally reflected by the multiple reflective elements 536As, 536B that make up the second reflective surfaces 536A, 536B in the direction of emission from the front surface 530a of the light-transmitting control member 530, without being emitted from the rear surface 530b of the light-transmitting control member 530 toward the rear of the lamp.

[0120] Furthermore, in this modified example, the rear surface 530b of the light-transmitting control member 530 is configured as a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, but the incident portion 532 is configured as a plane that is flush with this rear surface 530b, so that the configuration of the light-transmitting control member 530 can be simplified and its depth dimension can be reduced.

[0121] In the above fifth modified example, the first reflecting surface 534 is described as having a circular outer shape, but it is also possible to configure it to have an outer shape other than this (for example, an elliptical outer shape).

[0122] In the above-mentioned fifth modified example, each of the multiple reflective elements 534s is described as being formed so as to extend in a linear inclination toward the outer periphery, but it is also possible to configure it so as to be formed so as to extend in a curved inclination toward the outer periphery.

[0123] In the fifth modified example, the first reflecting surface 534 of the light-transmitting control member 530 is described as having a configuration in which a plurality of reflecting elements 534s are allocated around the entire circumference with the imaginary axis Ax as the center, but it is also possible to have a configuration in which a plurality of reflecting elements 534s are allocated to a partial region in the circumferential direction. For example, on the front surface 530a of the light-transmitting control member 530, a semicircular region centered on the imaginary axis Ax may be configured as the first reflecting surface 534, and the remaining semicircular region may be configured as the first reflecting surface 34 of the above embodiment.

[0124] It should be noted that the numerical values ​​shown as the specifications in the above embodiment and its modified examples are merely examples, and it goes without saying that these may be set to different values ​​as appropriate.

[0125] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiment and its modifications, and various other modified configurations can be adopted.

[0126] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-045722 filed on March 21, 2024, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-207338 filed on November 28, 2024, and the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-045722 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-207338 are incorporated by reference into this international application.

[0127] The above descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms described. Numerous modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above description.

[0128] 10, 110, 210, 310, 410 Display lamp 12 Lamp body 14 Light-transmitting cover 20 Light source 20a Light-emitting surface 22 Substrate 30, 130, 230, 330 Light-transmitting control member 30a, 130a, 230a, 330a Front 30b, 130b, 230b, 330b Rear surface 30c Outer flange portion 32, 132, 232, 332 Incidence portion 32a, 232a, 332a Rear end surface 34, 134, 234, 334 First reflective surface 36A, 36B, 136A, 136B, 236A, 236B, 336A, 336B Second reflective surface 36As, 36Bs, 236As, 236Bs, 336As, 336Bs Reflective elements 38A, 38B, 138A, 136B, 238A, 238B, 338A, 338B Protruding regions 138As, 136Bs Textured surfaces 234A Inner peripheral reflective region 234B Outer peripheral reflective region 234c Stepped portion 334s Annular reflective region 450 Light blocking member 450a, 450b Opening 510 Indicator lamp 512 Lamp body 512a Outer peripheral flange portion 530 Light transmission control member 530a Front surface 530b Rear surface 532 Incident portion 534 First reflective surface 534s Reflective element 534s1, 534s2 Inclined surfaces 536A, 536B Second reflecting surfaces 536As, 536Bs Reflecting elements 538A, 538B Projecting areas Ax Virtual axis Z Partial area ZA Central area ZB Peripheral area

Claims

1. An indicator lamp configured to illuminate a partial area of ​​a light-transmitting control member by irradiating light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp through a light-transmitting control member, wherein the light-transmitting control member has an incident section to which the light emitted from the light source is incident, and first and second reflecting surfaces that sequentially totally reflect the light incident from the incident section, the first reflecting surface is formed on the front surface of the light-transmitting control member so as to totally reflect the light incident from the incident section toward the outer periphery around an imaginary axis extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, and the second reflecting surface is configured so as to have a plurality of reflecting elements formed on a portion of the rear surface of the light-transmitting control member that corresponds to the partial area, and that totally reflect the light totally reflected by the first reflecting surface toward the direction of emission from the front surface.

2. The indicator lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the first reflecting surface is divided into a plurality of annular reflecting areas centered on the virtual axis, and each of the plurality of annular reflecting areas is composed of an annular convex curved surface portion formed so as to totally reflect, within a plane including the virtual axis, the light incident from the incident portion as convergent light.

3. The indicator lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the first reflective surface is configured such that the inner reflective area and the outer reflective area are formed in a stepped shape with a step portion interposed therebetween, and that a portion of the light totally reflected by the inner reflective area is emitted from the step portion and then re-enters from the outer reflective area.

4. An indicator lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the front surface of the light-transmitting control member is formed in a state where a portion corresponding to the partial area protrudes toward the front side of the lamp.

5. An indicator lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a light-blocking member for blocking part of the light emitted from said light-transmittance control member is arranged on the front side of the lamp relative to said light-transmittance control member, and said light-blocking member has an opening formed in a portion corresponding to said partial area.

6. The indicator lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the light source is arranged in a plurality of locations in an area other than the partial area, and the light-transmittance control member is configured so that the first and second reflecting surfaces are formed at each of the plurality of locations.

7. The indicator lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the first reflecting surface is composed of a plurality of reflecting elements allocated to a plurality of wedge-shaped regions that are radially divided around the virtual axis on the front surface of the light-transmitting control member, and each of the plurality of reflecting elements is composed of a pair of inclined surfaces that have a mountain-shaped cross section and extend toward the outer periphery, and is configured to sequentially totally reflect light incident from the incident portion at the pair of inclined surfaces.

8. An indicator lamp according to claim 7, wherein each of said plurality of reflecting elements is formed so as to extend in an outer circumferential direction and at an angle towards the front side of the lamp.

9. An indicator lamp as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the rear surface of the light-transmitting control member is formed as a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, and the incident part is formed as a plane flush with the rear surface.

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