Vehicle lamp

Abstract

This vehicle lamp comprises: a plurality of first light sources for emitting light for a sign; a plurality of second light sources for emitting light for drawing on a road surface; a reflector having a first reflection part for reflecting the light emitted from the first light sources and a second reflection part for reflecting the light emitted from the second light sources; a first projection lens for projecting the light for the sign; a second projection lens for projecting the light for the drawing; and a primary lens having a pattern formation part for forming the light reflected by the second reflection part as a drawing pattern. The first light sources and the second light sources are alternately arranged and can be independently turned on and off, and some of regions irradiated with the light emitted from each of the plurality of first light sources are overlapped in an arrangement direction of the first light sources and the second light sources.

Description

Vehicle lighting fixture

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicle lighting fixtures configured to irradiate light for projecting a drawing pattern onto a road surface.

[0002] There is a type of vehicle lighting fixture in which a lamp unit capable of projecting a drawing pattern is arranged in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp housing and a cover (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

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

[0004] In a vehicle lighting fixture having such a lamp unit, since the light of a turn signal lamp which is a marker lamp and the light as auxiliary light of a turn signal lamp which is a drawing pattern are irradiated, high visibility can be ensured for pedestrians, drivers of other vehicles, etc., and safety can be improved.

[0005] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-29215

[0006] By the way, in a vehicle lighting fixture having a function of emitting light for drawing as described above, since light is irradiated onto the road surface, for example, there is a possibility that the light is reflected by a puddle or the like generated during rainy weather or the like, and the reflected light becomes dazzling light, causing a problem.

[0007] Also, it is desirable to improve the visibility of the light for marking in order to improve safety and the like.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent the occurrence of problems due to drawing on the road surface and to improve the visibility of the light for marking.

[0009] The vehicle lighting device according to the present invention comprises a plurality of first light sources that emit light for marking, a plurality of second light sources that emit light for drawing on the road surface, a reflector having a first reflector that reflects light emitted from the first light sources and a second reflector that reflects light emitted from the second light sources, a primary lens having a first projection lens that projects light for marking, a second projection lens that projects light for drawing, and a pattern forming section that forms a drawing pattern with the light reflected by the second reflector, wherein the first light sources and the second light sources are arranged alternately and can be turned on and off independently, and a portion of the illumination area of ​​the light emitted from each of the plurality of first light sources overlaps in the direction of arrangement of the first light sources and the second light sources.

[0010] As a result, in a configuration in which the first and second light sources are arranged alternately, the first and second light sources can be switched on and off independently, and the illumination area of ​​the light emitted from multiple first light sources is not divided.

[0011] According to the present invention, in a configuration in which a first light source and a second light source are arranged alternately, the first light source and the second light source can be switched on and off independently. Therefore, by switching off the second light source when light is emitted from the first light source, it is possible to prevent problems caused by drawing on the road surface, and the illumination area of ​​the light emitted from multiple first light sources is not divided, thereby improving the visibility of the light used for signage.

[0012] Figures 2 to 11 together show embodiments of the vehicle lighting fixture of the present invention. This figure is a side view of the vehicle lighting fixture, showing the outer casing of the lighting fixture in cross-section. This is an exploded perspective view of the lamp unit. This is a perspective view of the lamp unit. This is an enlarged perspective view of the pattern forming section, etc. This figure shows the path of light emitted from the first light source as seen from the side. This figure shows the path of light emitted from the first light source as seen from above. This figure shows the path of light emitted from the second light source as seen from the side. This figure shows the illumination state when the first light source is lit and the second light source is not lit. This figure shows the illumination state when the first light source and the second light source are lit. This figure shows the illumination state when a part of the illumination area overlaps. This figure shows the illumination state when only the first light-emitting part of the first light source is lit.

[0013] The embodiments for implementing the vehicle lighting device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0014] The following describes the directions of light emission from a vehicle's lighting fixture, with the direction of light emission being forward, and the directions of forward, backward, up, down, left, and right being described. However, the directions of forward, backward, up, down, left, and right shown below are for the convenience of explanation, and the invention is not limited to these directions.

[0015] The vehicle lighting fixture 1 comprises a lamp housing 2 having an opening at its front end and a cover 3 attached to cover the opening of the lamp housing 2 (see Figure 1). The cover 3 is attached to the lamp housing 2 to form the outer casing 4 of the lighting fixture, and the internal space of the outer casing 4 is formed as the lamp chamber 5.

[0016] A lamp unit 6 is located in the lamp chamber 5. The lamp unit 6 includes a base member 7, a substrate 8, a reflector 9, a primary lens 10, a first projection lens 11, and a second projection lens 12 (see Figures 1 to 3).

[0017] The base member 7 has a horizontally elongated mounting plate portion 7a that is oriented roughly vertically, and a plurality of heat dissipation fin portions 7b that protrude downward from the mounting plate portion 7a. The mounting plate portion 7a is, for example, tilted slightly downwards. The heat dissipation fin portions 7b are arranged at regular intervals in the left-right direction.

[0018] The substrate 8 is attached to the upper surface of the mounting plate portion 7a of the base member 7. The substrate 8 is formed in a horizontally elongated shape, and multiple, for example, four first light sources 13 and three second light sources 14 are mounted on the upper surface of the substrate 8, spaced apart to the left and right. The first light sources 13 and the second light sources 14 can be switched on and off independently. The number of first light sources 13 is not limited to four, and any number of first light sources 13 is acceptable, and the number of second light sources 14 is not limited to three, and any number of second light sources 14 is acceptable.

[0019] The first light source 13 is composed of, for example, a first light-emitting section 13a and a second light-emitting section 13b having different colors of light emission, and the first light-emitting section 13a and the second light-emitting section 13b are positioned side by side, for example. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are used as the first light-emitting section 13a and the second light-emitting section 13b. The first light-emitting section 13a has the function of emitting white light, for example, and the second light-emitting section 13b has the function of emitting amber light, for example. Drive current is supplied to the first light-emitting section 13a and the second light-emitting section 13b of the first light source 13 from a power supply circuit via a connector (not shown) mounted on the substrate 8.

[0020] The second light source 14 is composed of a single light-emitting unit, and for example, a light-emitting diode is used as the second light source 14. The second light source 14 has the function of emitting, for example, amber-colored light. The second light source 14 is supplied with a drive current from a power supply circuit via a connector (not shown) mounted on the substrate 8.

[0021] The first light source 13 and the second light source 14 are mounted alternately on the substrate 8 in the left-right direction. Therefore, one second light source 14 is positioned between the two first light sources 13.

[0022] The reflector 9 is formed from a resin material in a horizontally elongated shape, and its lower end is attached to the mounting plate portion 7a of the base member 7. The reflector 9 has a plurality of first reflective portions 15 and a plurality of second reflective portions 16, and the first reflective portions 15 and the second reflective portions 16 are arranged alternately in the left-right direction. The plurality of first reflective portions 15 and the plurality of second reflective portions 16 are formed integrally, for example. For example, four first reflective portions 15 are provided, depending on the number of first light sources 13, and for example, three second reflective portions 16 are provided, depending on the number of second light sources 14.

[0023] The first reflective section 15 is formed in a more elongated shape than the second reflective section 16 and has a first light-reflecting surface 15a located on the upper side and a second light-reflecting surface 15b located on the lower side. Both the first light-reflecting surface 15a and the second light-reflecting surface 15b are formed as cylindrical surfaces, and the curvature of the first light-reflecting surface 15a is smaller than that of the second light-reflecting surface 15b. The first reflective section 15 has the function of reflecting light emitted from the first light source 13 toward the primary lens 10 and the first projection lens 11.

[0024] The second reflecting section 16 is located between the two first reflecting sections 15 and has the function of reflecting light emitted from the second light source 14 toward the primary lens 10.

[0025] The primary lens 10 is made of a transparent material and is positioned in front of the reflector 9. The primary lens 10 has a plurality of first control units 17 and a plurality of second control units 18, and the first control units 17 and second control units 18 are arranged alternately in the left-right direction. The plurality of first control units 17 and the plurality of second control units 18 are integrally formed. For example, four first control units 17 are provided, depending on the number of first light sources 13, and for example, three second control units 18 are provided, depending on the number of second light sources 14.

[0026] The first control unit 17 is formed in a more elongated shape than the second control unit 18, for example, the part excluding parts of both the left and right ends is formed in a roughly triangular prism shape when laid on its side. The first control unit 17 has the function of refracting light emitted from the first light source 13.

[0027] The second control unit 18 is located between the two first control units 17, and light emitted from at least the second light source 14 is incident on the second control unit 18. The second control unit 18 is formed in a substantially flat shape that faces in the front-to-back direction except for a part of it, and has a pattern forming section 19 in the center in the left-to-right direction, with incident plate sections 20 on both the left and right sides of the pattern forming section 19.

[0028] The pattern forming section 19 is formed in a shape that protrudes forward. The three pattern forming sections 19 have different external shapes and sizes, and are provided as near-field, intermediate-field, and far-field pattern forming sections that emit light to draw patterns at different positions from the vehicle. The pattern forming section 19 has a light-transmitting surface 19a that faces approximately forward and a plurality of outer peripheral surfaces 19b that are continuous with the outer periphery of the light-transmitting surface 19a and inclined with respect to the light-transmitting surface 19a (see Figure 4).

[0029] Light emitted from the second light source 14 is incident on the pattern forming section 19. Light incident on the light-transmitting surface 19a is transmitted and incident forward, while light incident on the outer peripheral surface 19b is reflected internally (total internal reflection) in sequentially orthogonal directions by the two outer peripheral surfaces 19b and propagates towards the second light source 14. Therefore, the light incident on the pattern forming section 19 is transmitted only through the light-transmitting surface 19a, and the transmitted light is emitted as light that forms the drawing pattern.

[0030] The incident plate portion 20 has a function to control the diffusion of incident light. A first diffusion step 20a is formed on the front surface of the incident plate portion 20, and the light is diffused by the first diffusion step 20a, for example, in the left-right direction.

[0031] The first projection lens 11 is formed in a horizontally elongated shape and is positioned in front of the primary lens 10 (see Figures 1 to 3). The first projection lens 11 is a lens that projects light emitted from the first light source 13. A second diffusion step 11a is formed on the front surface of the first projection lens 11, and the light is diffused by the second diffusion step 11a, for example, in the vertical direction. The rear surface of the first projection lens 11 is formed as a curved surface 11b that is displaced backward as it goes upward, and the light is also diffused in the vertical direction by the curved surface 11b.

[0032] The second projection lens 12 is formed in a horizontally elongated shape and is positioned in front of the primary lens 10 and below the first projection lens 11. The second projection lens 12 is a lens that projects light emitted from the second light source 14. The second projection lens 12 has, for example, three projection sections 12a formed in a forward-convex shape and spaced apart on the left and right sides, with connecting sections 12b provided on both the left and right sides of the projection sections 12a. The projection sections 12a and the connecting sections 12b of the second projection lens 12 are formed integrally.

[0033] In the vehicle lighting fixture 1 configured as described above, when light is emitted from the first light source 13, the emitted light is reflected by the first light-reflecting surface 15a and the second light-reflecting surface 15b of the reflector 9 toward the first projection lens 11 or primary lens 10 (see Figure 5). When the vehicle lighting fixture 1 functions as a turn signal lamp, for example, light is emitted from the second light-emitting part 13b. When it functions as a turn signal lamp, for example, it is set to a sequential light-emitting state, and light is emitted sequentially from the four first light sources 13 at regular intervals. In addition, when the vehicle lighting fixture 1 functions as a turn signal lamp, for example, light may be emitted simultaneously from the first light-emitting part 13a and the second light-emitting part 13b, and the emitted light may be mixed.

[0034] As described above, the light S1 and light S2 reflected by the first light-reflecting surface 15a and the second light-reflecting surface 15b are diffused in the left-right direction by the first light-reflecting surface 15a and the second light-reflecting surface 15b, since both the first light-reflecting surface 15a and the second light-reflecting surface 15b are formed as cylindrical surfaces.

[0035] The light S1 reflected by the first light-reflecting surface 15a of the reflector 9 is incident on the first projection lens 11. The light S1 incident on the first projection lens 11 is diffused vertically by the curved surface 11b and the second diffusion step 11a, passes through the cover 3, and is emitted outward as light from a turn signal lamp for signage.

[0036] Furthermore, the light S2 reflected by the second light-reflecting surface 15b of the reflector 9 is incident on the first control unit 17 of the primary lens 10, refracted by the first control unit 17, and incident on the first projection lens 11. The light S2 incident on the first projection lens 11 is diffused vertically by the second diffusion step 11a and emitted. The light S2 emitted from the first projection lens 11 is transmitted through the cover 3 and directed outward as light from a turn signal lamp for marking purposes.

[0037] Furthermore, in the vehicle lighting device 1, although not shown in the diagram, a portion of the light emitted from the first light source 13 is also incident on the incident plate portion 20 of the second control unit 18 in the primary lens 10. The light incident on the incident plate portion 20 is diffused in the left-right direction by the first diffusion step 20a and emitted, passing through the cover 3 and illuminating the outside as light from a turn signal lamp for signage.

[0038] When light is emitted from multiple first light sources 13, light is emitted from the first projection lens 11, etc., and at this time, parts of the illumination areas R of the light emitted from adjacent first light sources 13 overlap in the left-right direction (see Figure 6). Therefore, no area that is not illuminated by light is formed between adjacent illumination areas R.

[0039] On the other hand, in the vehicle lighting device 1, when light is emitted from the second light source 14, the emitted light is reflected by the second reflective part 16 of the reflector 9 toward the primary lens 10 (see Figure 7). At this time, for example, light is emitted sequentially from the three second light sources 14 at regular intervals.

[0040] The light P reflected by the second reflective portion 16 of the reflector 9 is incident on the pattern forming portion 19 of the second control unit 18 in the primary lens 10. Except for a portion, the light P1 incident on the pattern forming portion 19 is transmitted through the light-transmitting surface 19a, and the transmitted light P1 is emitted as light that forms the drawing pattern, passing through the cover 3 and irradiating outwards.

[0041] At this time, as described above, in the vehicle lamp 1, of the light P, the light P2 other than the light P1 is internally reflected by the outer peripheral surface 19b, and the drawing on the road surface is performed using only the light P1 transmitted through the light transmission surface 19a. Therefore, the light used for drawing is clarified, and a clear drawing pattern can be formed.

[0042] In the vehicle lamp 1, as described above, light is sequentially emitted from the four first light sources 13 and the three second light sources 14 at regular intervals, and the light is in a sequential emission state. Also, in the vehicle lamp 1, as described above, the first light source 13 and the second light source 14 can be independently turned on and off, and a first irradiation mode in which the second light source 14 is turned off when the first light source 13 is turned on and a second irradiation mode in which the second light source 14 is also turned on when the first light source 13 is turned on can be set.

[0043] In the first irradiation mode, the light of the turn signal lamp is irradiated in order from the center side to the outside in the left-right direction of the vehicle (see FIG. 8). In FIG. 8, for example, the upper notation indicates the emission state of the light S emitted from the first light source 13, and the lower notation indicates the emission state of the light P emitted from the second light source 14 and emitted from the pattern forming portion 19 of the second control portion 18 (the same also applies in FIGS. 9 to 11).

[0044] In the first irradiation mode, light is emitted from the first light source 13 and no light is emitted from the second light source 14, and it is in a sequential emission state in which the irradiation regions for signs increase from A to E in order from the center side to the outside in the left-right direction of the vehicle.

[0045] By enabling the setting of such a first irradiation mode, for example, when driving the vehicle in the first irradiation mode during rainy days or the like, there will be no problem such as the light for drawing being reflected by puddles or the like to generate distracting light, and it is possible to improve the visibility and safety during vehicle driving. Further, when using the vehicle lamp 1 as a hazard lamp (flashing warning lamp) during vehicle parking or the like, by setting it to the first irradiation mode, unnecessary drawing on the road surface will not be performed, unnecessary light irradiation can be prevented, and since the drawing is not visible, misrecognition in other vehicles, pedestrians, etc. can be prevented.

[0046] In the second irradiation mode, the light of the turn signal lamp for signs is irradiated in order from the center side to the outside in the left - right direction of the vehicle, and at the same time, the light forming the drawing pattern is irradiated (see FIG. 9).

[0047] In the second irradiation mode, light is emitted from both the first light source 13 and the second light source 14, and it is in a sequential emission state where the irradiation areas for the sign lamp and the drawing increase from A to E in order from the center side to the outside in the left - right direction of the vehicle.

[0048] Incidentally, in the second irradiation mode, a part of the light emitted from the first light source 13 may be incident on the incident plate portion 20 and irradiated outward as a part of the light for signs. In this case, the light Ps emitted from the incident plate portion 20 may be configured to straddle and overlap two adjacent lights S.

[0049] With such a configuration, it is possible to improve the luminance of the light for signs and improve the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the second light source 14.

[0050] In the above, an example where a sequential light emission state is formed has been shown. However, in the vehicle lamp 1, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of first light sources 13 are simultaneously lit (flashed), or a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of second light sources 14 are simultaneously lit (flashed).

[0051] Furthermore, in the vehicle lighting device 1, it is also possible to configure it so that when the second light source 14 is not lit, only the first light-emitting part 13a of the first light source 13 is lit and light Sa is emitted (see Figure 11). In this case, multiple first light-emitting parts 13a are lit simultaneously, and white light is emitted from the first light-emitting parts 13a as, for example, daytime running lamps or clearance lamps.

[0052] As described above, in the vehicle lighting device 1, a plurality of first light sources 13 that emit light for marking and a plurality of second light sources 14 that emit light for drawing on the road surface are arranged alternately, the first light sources 13 and the second light sources 14 can be turned on and off independently, and a portion of the illumination area of ​​the light emitted from each of the plurality of first light sources 13 overlaps in the direction in which the first light sources 13 and the second light sources 14 are arranged.

[0053] Therefore, in a configuration in which the first light source 13 and the second light source 14 are arranged alternately, the first light source 13 and the second light source 14 can be switched on and off independently. By switching off the second light source 14 when light is emitted from the first light source 13, it is possible to prevent problems caused by drawing on the road surface, and the illumination area of ​​the light emitted from multiple first light sources 13 is not divided, thus improving the visibility of the lights used for signs.

[0054] Furthermore, the primary lens 10 is formed from a resin material, and the primary lens 10 is provided with a first control unit 17 that controls the light emitted from the first light source 13 and a second control unit 18 that has a pattern forming unit 19, and the first control unit 17 and the second control unit 18 are integrally formed.

[0055] Therefore, since the first control unit 17, which controls the light reflected by the first reflector 15, and the second control unit 18, which controls the light reflected by the second reflector 16, are integrally formed, the manufacturing cost of the vehicle lighting fixture 1 can be reduced and the size can be miniaturized by reducing the number of parts.

[0056] Furthermore, the second control unit 18 is provided with a first diffusion step 20a that diffuses light in the direction in which the first light source 13 and the second light source 14 are arranged.

[0057] Therefore, since the light is emitted in a diffused state in the direction of arrangement of the first light source 13 and the second light source 14 by the first diffusion step 20a, high uniformity of the emitted light can be ensured.

[0058] Furthermore, the first projection lens 11 is formed with a second diffusion step 11a that diffuses light in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the first light source 13 and the second light source 14.

[0059] Therefore, since the light is emitted in a diffused state in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the first light source 13 and the second light source 14 by the second diffusion step 11a, a higher uniformity of the light emitted from the first projection lens 11 can be ensured.

[0060] Furthermore, the first light source 13 is provided with a first light-emitting section 13a and a second light-emitting section 13b that emit light of different colors, and it is possible to emit light from the first light-emitting section 13a and the second light-emitting section 13b separately.

[0061] Therefore, since it is possible to emit light from only one light-emitting part or from both light-emitting parts, it becomes possible to emit light with different functions from the first light source 13. For example, by emitting light only from the first light-emitting part 13a, the vehicle light fixture 1 can be used as a daytime running lamp or a clearance lamp, thereby improving the functionality of the vehicle light fixture 1.

[0062] In addition, regardless of the light emission state from the second light source 14, light can be emitted simultaneously from the first light-emitting unit 13a and the second light-emitting unit 13b, and light can be emitted from one of the light-emitting units when light is not emitted from the second light source 14.

[0063] Therefore, since mixed-color light is emitted from the first light-emitting unit 13a and the second light-emitting unit 13b, and single-color light is emitted from one of the light-emitting units, different colored lights are emitted depending on the light emission state from the light-emitting units, ensuring high functionality according to the vehicle's driving conditions, etc.

[0064] 1 Vehicle lighting fixture 9 Reflector 10 Primary lens 11 First projection lens 11a Second diffusion step 12 Second projection lens 13 First light source 13a First light-emitting part 13b Second light-emitting part 14 Second light source 17 First control unit 18 Second control unit 19 Pattern forming unit 20a First diffusion step

Claims

1. A vehicle light fixture comprising: a plurality of first light sources that emit light for marking; a plurality of second light sources that emit light for drawing on the road surface; a reflector having a first reflector that reflects light emitted from the first light sources and a second reflector that reflects light emitted from the second light sources; a first projection lens that projects light for marking; a second projection lens that projects light for drawing; and a primary lens having a pattern forming section that forms a drawing pattern from the light reflected by the second reflector, wherein the first light sources and the second light sources are arranged alternately and can be switched on and off independently, and a portion of the illumination area of ​​the light emitted from each of the plurality of first light sources overlaps in the direction of arrangement of the first light sources and the second light sources.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the primary lens is formed of a resin material, the primary lens is provided with a first control unit for controlling light emitted from the first light source and a second control unit having the pattern forming unit, and the first control unit and the second control unit are integrally formed.

3. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 2, wherein the second control unit is provided with a first diffusion step that diffuses light in the direction of arrangement of the first light source and the second light source.

4. The vehicle light fixture according to claim 3, wherein a second diffusion step is formed in the first projection lens that diffuses light in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the first light source and the second light source.

5. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, or claim 4, wherein the first light source is provided with two light-emitting units that emit light of different colors, and the emission of light from the two light-emitting units can be controlled separately.

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