Emblem lamp

Abstract

This emblem lamp on which a sensor is mountable includes a first LED 28A, a first inner lens 22, and an outer lens. A cutout part 22a for avoiding the sensor is provided in a part of the first inner lens 22. In order to supply light to a part 22f' of an outer peripheral reflection part 22f positioned on the deeper side relative to the cutout part 22a when viewed from the first LED 28A, a first multistage reflection surface 22k in which a plurality of minute reflection surfaces are joined stepwise is provided in a part 22g' of an outer peripheral upright wall part 22g. Furthermore, in order to emit the light coming from the first multistage reflection surface 22k toward the outer lens, a second multistage reflection surface 22l in which a plurality of minute reflection surfaces are joined stepwise is provided in the part 22f' of the outer peripheral reflection part 22f positioned on the deeper side relative to the cutout part 22a.

Description

Emblem lamp

[0001] The present invention relates to an emblem lamp, and particularly to an emblem lamp capable of mounting a sensor.

[0002] An emblem lamp equipped with a sensor for acquiring information around a vehicle is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] International Publication No. 2020 / 179577

[0004] In an emblem lamp capable of mounting a sensor, in order to secure a sensor mounting area, a part of the lens constituting the emblem lamp may be cut out. When it is desired to emit light from the outer periphery of the emblem lamp, if a part of the lens is cut out like this, light may not reach a part of the outer periphery of the lens well, and there is a possibility that the outer periphery of the emblem lamp cannot be made to emit light uniformly.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and its object is to make the outer periphery of an emblem lamp emit light uniformly in an emblem lamp capable of mounting a sensor.

[0006] To solve the above problems, an emblem lamp according to one aspect of the present invention is an emblem lamp capable of mounting a sensor for acquiring information about the surroundings of a vehicle, and comprises an inner lens including a light source, a light receiving section that receives light from the light source, a main light emitting section that emits light, an outer luminous section provided on the outer periphery of the main light emitting section, a main reflecting section that reflects light from the light receiving section toward the main light emitting section, an outer luminous section that reflects light from the light receiving section toward the outer luminous section, and an outer periphery vertical wall section provided on the outer periphery of the inner lens, and an outer lens that provides predetermined emblem illumination by controlling the light from the main light emitting section of the inner lens. A cutout is provided in a part of the main light emitting section and the main reflecting section of the inner lens to avoid the sensor, and a first multi-stage reflective surface is provided in a part of the outer periphery vertical wall section in which a plurality of minute reflective surfaces are arranged in a step-like manner in order to supply light to a part of the outer luminous section that is located behind the cutout as seen from the light source. Furthermore, in order to emit light from the first multi-stage reflective surface to the outer lens, a second multi-stage reflective surface is provided in a part of the outer peripheral reflective area behind the cutout, in which multiple minute reflective surfaces are arranged in a stepped pattern.

[0007] According to the present invention, in an emblem lamp that can be equipped with a sensor, the outer circumference of the emblem lamp can be made to emit light uniformly.

[0008] This is a schematic front view of an emblem lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the emblem lamp shown in Figure 1. This is an exploded perspective view of an emblem lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a front view of the first inner lens. This is a rear view of the first inner lens. This is an enlarged view of a key part showing the boundary between the second multi-stage reflective surface and the concentric reflective step. This is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of the first inner lens shown in Figure 4.

[0009] The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, based on preferred embodiments. The following configurations are illustrative for the purpose of understanding the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined solely by the appended claims. Identical or equivalent components and members shown in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted where appropriate. In addition, the dimensions of members in each drawing are shown enlarged or reduced as appropriate for ease of understanding. Furthermore, some members that are not important for explaining the embodiments are omitted in each drawing.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of an emblem lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the emblem lamp 10 shown in Figure 1 along line A-A. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of an emblem lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] The emblem lamp 10 according to this embodiment is a lamp that illuminates the emblem 12 and can be installed on the front, rear, or sides of a vehicle. In this embodiment, the emblem 12 is formed in an elliptical shape when viewed from the front. The emblem 12 is provided with the vehicle manufacturer's mark 13, and this mark 13 illuminates. In addition, the elliptical outer periphery 12a of the emblem 12 is also configured to illuminate.

[0012] The emblem lamp 10 can be equipped with a sensor 100 that acquires information about the vehicle's surroundings. The sensor 100 may be, for example, a camera or millimeter-wave radar. The information acquired by the sensor 100 is sent to the vehicle's electronic control unit (ECU) and used for various vehicle control functions.

[0013] The emblem lamp 10 comprises a lamp body 14 and an outer lens 16 that covers the front opening of the lamp body 14. The lamp body 14 and the outer lens 16 form a lamp chamber 18. Inside the lamp chamber 18, a substrate 20, a first inner lens 22, and a second inner lens 24 are arranged in order from the lamp body 14 side.

[0014] The lamp body 14 has a sensor support portion 26 protruding from it for supporting the sensor 100. The substrate 20, the first inner lens 22, and the second inner lens 24 are each provided with cutouts 20a, 22a, and 24a to avoid the sensor support portion 26 and the sensor 100. In this embodiment, the outer lens 16 does not have a cutout. That is, in a front view, the sensor 100 is covered by the outer lens 16 and cannot be directly seen. In another embodiment, the outer lens 16 may have a cutout.

[0015] An LED 28 is mounted on the substrate 20 as a light source. The LED 28 emits light when current is supplied from the substrate 20. The LED 28 is mounted on the substrate 20 so that its optical axis Ax is oriented in the front-to-back direction.

[0016] The first inner lens 22 has the role of guiding the light from the LED 28 and diffusing it out. The first inner lens 22 may be formed from a transparent resin material such as acrylic or polycarbonate.

[0017] The first inner lens 22 includes a light-receiving portion 22b provided on the optical axis Ax of the LED 28, a main light-emitting portion 22c provided on the front surface of the first inner lens 22, an outer peripheral light-emitting portion 22d provided on the outer circumference of the main light-emitting portion 22c on the front surface of the first inner lens 22, a main reflecting portion 22e provided on the rear surface of the first inner lens 22, an outer peripheral reflecting portion 22f provided on the outer circumference of the main reflecting portion 22e on the rear surface of the first inner lens 22, and an outer peripheral vertical wall portion 22g provided on the outer circumference of the first inner lens 22.

[0018] The light-receiving section 22b receives light from the LED 28. The light-receiving section 22b has an incident surface 22h that receives light from the LED 28, and a total reflection surface 22i that totally reflects the light that enters the first inner lens 22 from the incident surface 22h.

[0019] The main reflecting section 22e reflects the light that enters the first inner lens 22 from the light-receiving section 22b toward the main light-emitting section 22c. The main light-emitting section 22c emits the light from the main reflecting section 22e toward the second inner lens 24 (see light L1 in Figure 2). The outer periphery reflecting section 22f reflects the light from the light-receiving section 22b toward the outer periphery light-emitting section 22d. The outer periphery light-emitting section 22d emits the light from the outer periphery reflecting section 22f toward the second inner lens 24 (see light L2 in Figure 2).

[0020] The second inner lens 24 diffuses the light emitted from the first inner lens 22 and directs it toward the outer lens 16. The second inner lens 24 may be made of a transparent resin material such as acrylic or polycarbonate. If sufficient light diffusion is achieved by the first inner lens 22, the second inner lens 24 does not necessarily need to be provided.

[0021] The outer lens 16 provides a predetermined emblem illumination by transmitting light from the second inner lens 24. For example, the outer lens 16 is configured to transmit light only to the mark 13 portion and the outer peripheral portion 12a. The outer lens 16 may be formed by coating or printing a light-shielding member onto a transparent resin material such as acrylic or polycarbonate.

[0022] Figure 4 is a front view of the first inner lens 22. Figure 5 is a rear view of the first inner lens 22.

[0023] The emblem lamp 10 according to this embodiment is equipped with two LEDs 28 as light sources. As shown in Figure 4, the main light-emitting section 22c is formed in an elliptical shape when viewed from the front, with one LED 28 (referred to as "first LED 28A") used for illumination on the left side of the main light-emitting section 22c when viewed from the front, and the other LED 28 (referred to as "second LED 28B") used for illumination on the right side of the main light-emitting section 22c when viewed from the front.

[0024] As shown in Figure 5, a main reflecting section 22e is formed on the rear surface of the first inner lens 22, which reflects light that enters the first inner lens 22 from the light-receiving section 22b toward the main light-emitting section 22c. The main reflecting section 22e has concentric reflection steps centered on the optical axis Ax of the LED. In Figure 5, the main reflecting section 22e to the right of the dividing line DL has concentric reflection steps centered on the optical axis Ax1 of the first LED 28A. The main reflecting section 22e to the left of the dividing line DL has concentric reflection steps centered on the optical axis Ax2 of the second LED 28B. The light reflected by the concentric reflection steps of the main reflecting section 22e is emitted from the main light-emitting section 22c, then enters the outer lens 16 via the second inner lens 24, and is used to illuminate the mark 13 on the emblem 12.

[0025] As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, there are areas on the first inner lens 22 where concentric reflection steps are not formed. These areas correspond to non-emitting areas of the emblem 12. By not forming reflection steps on the rear surface of the first inner lens 22 in areas that do not contribute to the illumination of the emblem 12, the amount of light reflected by the reflection steps increases, thereby improving light utilization efficiency.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, an outer peripheral light-emitting section 22d is provided on the outer periphery of the main light-emitting section 22c on the front surface of the first inner lens 22. Also, as shown in Figure 5, an outer peripheral reflecting section 22f is provided on the outer periphery of the main reflecting section 22e on the rear surface of the first inner lens 22. Except for a part, this outer peripheral reflecting section 22f also has concentric reflective steps formed around the optical axis Ax of the LED 28, similar to the main reflecting section 22e. The light reflected by the concentric reflective steps of the outer peripheral reflecting section 22f is emitted from the outer peripheral light-emitting section 22d, then enters the outer lens 16 via the second inner lens 24, and is used to emit light from the outer peripheral section 12a of the emblem 12.

[0027] As described above, in the emblem lamp 10 according to this embodiment, a cutout portion 22a is formed in a part of the main light-emitting portion 22c and the main reflecting portion 22e of the first inner lens 22 to avoid the sensor 100. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the cutout portion 22a is formed below the first LED 28A. When such a cutout portion 22a exists, light may not reach a part 22f' of the outer peripheral reflecting portion 22f located behind the cutout portion 22a when viewed from the first LED 28A, and a part of the outer peripheral light-emitting portion 22d facing this part 22f' of the outer peripheral reflecting portion 22f may become dark, meaning that the outer peripheral light-emitting portion 22d may not be able to emit light uniformly.

[0028] Therefore, in the emblem lamp 10 according to this embodiment, in order to supply light to a part 22f' of the outer peripheral reflective portion 22f, a first multi-stage reflective surface 22k is formed on a part 22g' of the outer peripheral vertical wall portion 22g of the first inner lens 22, in which a plurality of minute reflective surfaces are arranged in a stepped manner. Furthermore, in the emblem lamp 10 according to this embodiment, in order to emit light from the first multi-stage reflective surface 22k toward the outer lens 16, a second multi-stage reflective surface 22l is formed on a part 22f' of the outer peripheral reflective portion 22f behind the cutout portion 22a, in which a plurality of minute reflective surfaces are arranged in a stepped manner, rather than concentric reflective steps.

[0029] Referring to Figure 5, the region where the second multi-stage reflective surface 22l is formed will be described. Draw a line CL1 connecting the optical axis Ax1 of the first LED 28A and one corner of the cutout portion 22a. Similarly, draw a line CL2 connecting the optical axis Ax1 of the first LED 28A and another corner of the cutout portion 22a. It is preferable to form the second multi-stage reflective surface 22l in a part 22f' of the outer peripheral reflective portion 22f sandwiched between lines CL1 and CL2.

[0030] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the main part showing the boundary portion 22m of the concentric reflection step of the second multi-stage reflection surface 22l. The second multi-stage reflection surface 22l is composed of a plurality of minute reflection surfaces 22p connected in a step-like manner. As shown in Figure 6, in the second multi-stage reflection surface 22l, the extension direction ED1 of each minute reflection surface 22p is perpendicular to the extension direction ED2 of the outer peripheral reflection portion 22f. Also shown in Figure 6 is the first multi-stage reflection surface 22k formed on a part 22g' of the outer peripheral vertical wall portion 22g. The first multi-stage reflection surface 22k is composed of a plurality of minute reflection surfaces 22n connected in a step-like manner.

[0031] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first inner lens 22 shown in Figure 4, taken along line B-B. As shown in Figure 7, after light L3 enters the light-receiving portion 22b from the first LED 28A, it is reflected by the first multi-stage reflective surface 22k formed on a part of the outer peripheral vertical wall portion 22g, and reaches a part 22f' of the outer peripheral reflective portion 22f located behind the cutout portion 22a. This light L3 is then reflected toward the outer peripheral light-emitting portion 22d by the second multi-stage reflective surface 22l formed on a part 22f' of the outer peripheral reflective portion 22f. After this light L3 is emitted from the outer peripheral light-emitting portion 22d, it enters the outer lens 16 via the second inner lens 24 and is used to illuminate the outer peripheral portion 12a of the emblem 12.

[0032] Thus, according to the emblem lamp 10 of this embodiment, even when a cutout portion 22a is provided in the first inner lens 22, by providing a first multi-stage reflective surface 22k and a second multi-stage reflective surface 22l in the first inner lens 22, light can be emitted from a part of the outer peripheral light-emitting portion 22d that is located behind the cutout portion 22a when viewed from the light source. This prevents a part of the outer peripheral light-emitting portion 22d from becoming dark, and thus the outer circumference of the emblem lamp 10 can be illuminated uniformly.

[0033] The embodiments can also be expressed as in the following numbered sections: (Section 1) An emblem lamp capable of mounting a sensor for acquiring information about the surroundings of a vehicle, comprising: a light source; an inner lens including a light receiving section that receives light from the light source; a main light emitting section that emits light; an outer periphery light emitting section provided on the outer periphery of the main light emitting section; a main reflecting section that reflects light from the light receiving section toward the main light emitting section; an outer periphery reflecting section that reflects light from the light receiving section toward the outer periphery light emitting section; and an outer periphery vertical wall section provided on the outer periphery of the inner lens, wherein a cutout is provided in a part of the main light emitting section and the main reflecting section of the inner lens to avoid the sensor; and a first multi-stage reflective surface is provided in a part of the outer periphery vertical wall section, in which a plurality of minute reflective surfaces are arranged in a stepped manner, in order to supply light to a part of the outer periphery reflecting section located behind the cutout as seen from the light source, (Item 2) The emblem lamp characterized in that a second multi-stage reflective surface is provided in a part of the outer peripheral reflective surface behind the cutout, in which a plurality of minute reflective surfaces are arranged in a stepped manner, for emitting light from the first multi-stage reflective surface to the outer lens. (Item 3) The emblem lamp according to Item 1 or 2, characterized in that concentric reflective steps are formed in the main reflective surface, centered on the optical axis of the light source. (Item 4) The emblem lamp according to any one of Items 1 to 3, characterized in that in the second multi-stage reflective surface, the extending direction of each minute reflective surface is perpendicular to the extending direction of the outer peripheral reflective surface. (Item 5) The emblem lamp according to any one of Items 1 to 4, further comprising the sensor.

[0034] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. These embodiments are illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in combinations of each component and each processing process, and that such modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0035] This invention can be used in emblem lamps.

[0036] 10 Emblem lamp, 12 Emblem, 13 Mark, 14 Lamp body, 16 Outer lens, 20 Circuit board, 22 First inner lens, 24 Second inner lens, 26 Sensor support, 28 LED, 100 Sensor.

Claims

1. An emblem lamp capable of mounting a sensor for acquiring information about the surroundings of a vehicle, comprising: a light source; an inner lens including a light receiving section that receives light from the light source; a main light emitting section that emits light; an outer luminous section provided on the outer periphery of the main light emitting section; a main reflecting section that reflects light from the light receiving section toward the main light emitting section; an outer luminous section that reflects light from the light receiving section toward the outer luminous section; and an outer lens that provides predetermined emblem illumination by controlling the light from the main light emitting section of the inner lens, wherein a cutout is provided in a part of the main light emitting section and the main reflecting section of the inner lens to avoid the sensor, and a first multi-stage reflective surface is provided in a part of the outer luminous section, in which a plurality of minute reflective surfaces are arranged in a stepped manner, in order to supply light to a part of the outer luminous section located behind the cutout as seen from the light source, An emblem lamp characterized in that, in order to emit light from the first multi-stage reflective surface to the outer lens, a second multi-stage reflective surface is provided in a part of the outer peripheral reflective portion behind the cutout portion, in which a plurality of minute reflective surfaces are arranged in a stepped manner.

2. The emblem lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the main reflecting portion has concentric reflective steps formed around the optical axis of the light source.

3. The emblem lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outer peripheral reflective portion has concentric reflective steps centered on the optical axis of the light source, except for a portion of the outer peripheral reflective portion behind the cutout portion.

4. The emblem lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the second multi-stage reflective surface, the extending direction of each minute reflective surface is perpendicular to the extending direction of the outer peripheral reflective portion.

5. The emblem lamp according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the aforementioned sensor.

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