Vehicle lamp
The vehicle lighting device uses multiple light-emitting layers with varying dominant wavelengths and dimensions to create a three-dimensional optical illusion, addressing the challenge of achieving depth in light emission.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ICHIKOH IND LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-04
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle lighting devices struggle to effectively achieve three-dimensional light emission with a sense of depth.
A vehicle lighting device with multiple light-emitting layers arranged to form a light-emitting pattern that creates a three-dimensional optical illusion, utilizing light-emitting layers with different dominant wavelengths and dimensions to enhance the perception of depth.
The device achieves three-dimensional light emission with a sense of depth by forming a light pattern that appears brighter on the front side, providing a visually enhanced three-dimensional effect.
Smart Images
Figure JP2025040810_04062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Vehicle lighting device
[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lighting device.
[0002] In order to make the light-emitting portions arranged two-dimensionally in the vertical and horizontal directions appear as three-dimensional light emission with a sense of depth, the light-emitting portions on both sides in the vertical direction are bright and the central light-emitting portion is dim, and the curvature of the hemispherical control steps formed in the light-emitting portions is made different for each light-emitting portion. There is known a vehicle lighting device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2024-74472
[0004] In vehicle lighting devices, in recent years, it has been required to realize three-dimensional light emission with a sense of depth. With the configuration described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to sufficiently realize three-dimensional light emission with a sense of depth.
[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle lighting device capable of realizing three-dimensional light emission with a sense of depth.
[0006] The vehicle lighting device according to the present invention includes a plurality of light-emitting layers that emit light to the front side, and the plurality of light-emitting layers are arranged so as to form a light-emitting pattern that causes a three-dimensional illusion when viewed from the front side by the emitted light, and an emission-side lens that can emit the light-emitting pattern formed by the light-emitting portion to the front side.
[0007] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to realize three-dimensional light emission with a sense of depth.
[0008] Figure 1 shows an example of the rear of a vehicle according to the embodiment. Figure 2 shows an example of a vehicle lamp according to the embodiment. Figure 3 shows an example of a light conversion unit. Figure 4 shows an example of a vehicle lamp in an illuminated state viewed from the front. (A) is a diagram showing another example of the light conversion unit, and (B) is a diagram showing another example of a vehicle lamp in an illuminated state viewed from the front. Figure 6 shows a diagram of the configuration of a modified vehicle lamp. (A) is a diagram showing another example of the light conversion unit, and (B) is a diagram showing another example of a vehicle lamp in an illuminated state viewed from the front. Figure 8 shows a diagram of the configuration of a modified vehicle lamp. Figure 9 shows a diagram of the configuration of a modified vehicle lamp. Figure 10 shows a diagram of the configuration of a modified vehicle lamp.
[0009] Embodiments of vehicle lighting devices according to this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, this embodiment does not limit the present invention. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, if there are multiple configuration examples, the elements of each configuration example can be combined as appropriate. The components in the following embodiments include those that are easily substituted or substantially identical to those that are easily substituted by those skilled in the art.
[0010] In this embodiment, the front and rear directions are defined as the directions when the device is mounted on a vehicle (vehicle-mounted state). For example, when mounted on the front of a vehicle, the front is forward and the rear is backward. When mounted on the rear of a vehicle, the rear is forward and the front is backward. When mounted on the side of a vehicle, the outside of the vehicle is forward and the inside of the vehicle is backward.
[0011] Figure 1 shows an example of the rear of a vehicle 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 1 comprises a vehicle body 2, a running gear 3, and a vehicle lighting fixture 100. The vehicle body 2 has a driver's cab where the driver sits. The vehicle body 2 is supported by the running gear 3. The running gear 3 has wheels on which tires 4 are mounted, a steering device for changing the direction of travel of the vehicle 1, and a braking device for decelerating or stopping the running gear 3. The vehicle 1 comprises passenger doors provided on the sides of the vehicle body 2 and a back door 7 provided at the rear of the vehicle body 2. The passenger doors and the back door 7 are each movably supported by the vehicle body 2 via a hinge mechanism.
[0012] In this embodiment, the vehicle lights 100 are provided on the left and right sides of the rear of the vehicle body 2. In this embodiment, the vehicle lights 100 are provided at the rear of the vehicle body 2. Therefore, the rear side in the front-rear direction will be described as the front side of the vehicle lights 100, and the front side in the front-rear direction will be described as the rear side of the vehicle lights 100.
[0013] The vehicle lighting equipment 100 includes functional lamps. Examples of functional lamps include tail lamps located at the rear of the vehicle body 2 that illuminate in conjunction with the illumination of the headlights, stop lamps located at the rear of the vehicle body 2 that illuminate in conjunction with the operation of the brake device, and rear turn signal lamps located at the rear of the vehicle body 2 that illuminate to indicate the direction of travel of the vehicle 1 to the surroundings.
[0014] The vehicle lights 100 are, for example, positioned on the vehicle body 2 side. In this embodiment, the vehicle body 2 is a fixed part. The back door 7 is a movable part. The structure of the vehicle light 100 provided on the left side of the rear of the vehicle body 2 and the structure of the vehicle light 100 provided on the right side of the rear of the vehicle body 2 are symmetrical in the left-right direction and are substantially the same structure. The vehicle light 100 provided on the left side of the rear of the vehicle body 2 will be mainly described below, and the description of the vehicle light 100 provided on the right side of the rear of the vehicle body 2 will be simplified or omitted.
[0015] Figure 2 shows an example of a vehicle light fixture 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view as seen from above. The vehicle light fixture 100 shown in Figure 2 is, for example, a signal light such as a taillight. In this embodiment, the front direction is the rear direction, and the rear direction is the front direction. Also, the left direction is the outside of the vehicle, and the right direction is the inside of the vehicle. As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle light fixture 100 comprises an excitation light source 10, an optical member 20, a light conversion unit 30, an outer lens 40, and a housing 50. In this embodiment, the excitation light source 10, the optical member 20, and the light conversion unit 30 constitute a light-emitting unit 60.
[0016] The excitation light source 10 has a light source such as an LED or an organic EL. The excitation light source 10 emits light with a wavelength of 440 nm to 460 nm as excitation light in the forward direction. In this embodiment, multiple excitation light sources 10 (for example, three) are arranged in the left-right direction. Multiple excitation light sources 10 are mounted on a substrate 11. The substrate 11 is fixed to a housing 50.
[0017] The optical member 20 is positioned on the front side of the excitation light source 10. The optical member 20 guides the light emitted from the excitation light source 10 and emits it to the front side. In this embodiment, for example, an optical member 20 is provided for each excitation light source 10. The optical member 20 may be provided across multiple excitation light sources 10. The optical member 20 has an incident surface 21 and an exit surface 22. The incident surface 21 is oriented toward the excitation light source 10. Light emitted from the excitation light source 10 is incident on the incident surface 21. The exit surface 22 emits the light that has been incident on the incident surface 21.
[0018] The light conversion unit 30 converts the excitation light emitted from the optical member 20 to generate generated light and emits the generated light. The light conversion unit 30 has a first substrate 31 and a second substrate 32. Figure 3 shows an example of the light conversion unit 30. Figure 3(A) is a view of the first substrate 31 from the front, Figure 3(B) is a view of the second substrate 32 from the front, and Figure 3(C) is a view of the first substrate 31 and the second substrate 32 stacked on top of each other from the front.
[0019] The first substrate 31 and the second substrate 32 are plate-shaped or sheet-shaped and transmit excitation light and generated light. The first substrate 31 is positioned on the front side of the optical member 20. The second substrate 32 is positioned on the front side of the first substrate 31. The first substrate 31 and the second substrate 32 are positioned at a distance of, for example, 5 mm to 10 mm in the front-to-back direction.
[0020] The first substrate 31 and the second substrate 32 are, for example, rectangular plates and are capable of transmitting the generated light emitted by the light-emitting layer 35, which will be described later. Examples of such first substrates 31 and second substrates 32 include light-transmitting resin materials such as ABS (Acrylonitrite, Butadiene, Styrene), PC (Polycarbonate), PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate), PET (Polyethylene Terephosphate), and PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride).
[0021] The first substrate 31 has an incident surface 31a and an exit surface 31b. The incident surface 31a is into which the excitation light emitted from the optical member 20 is incident. The incident surface 31a is arranged so as to intersect in the front direction. A first pattern layer 33 is formed on the incident surface 31a. The first pattern layer 33 has a configuration in which a pattern of the light-emitting layer 35 is formed along the incident surface 31a.
[0022] The second substrate 32 has an incident surface 32a and an exit surface 32b. The incident surface 32a is into which the excitation light emitted from the optical member 20 is incident. The incident surface 32a is arranged so as to intersect in the front direction. A second pattern layer 34 is formed on the incident surface 32a. The second pattern layer 34 has a configuration in which the pattern of the light-emitting layer 36 is formed along the incident surface 32a.
[0023] The light-emitting layers 35 and 36 generate generated light when irradiated with excitation light. The light-emitting layers 35 and 36 are arranged to form a light-emitting pattern P (see Figures 4 and 5, etc.) that causes a three-dimensional optical illusion when viewed from the front, using the generated light. In this embodiment, the light-emitting layer 36 of the second pattern layer 34 formed on the second substrate 32 on the front side generates generated light with a shorter dominant wavelength than the light-emitting layer 35 of the first pattern layer 33 formed on the first substrate 31 on the back side. For example, the light-emitting layer 35 generates generated light with a dominant wavelength (Dominant Wavelength) of, for example, 620 nm to 635 nm. The light-emitting layer 36 generates generated light with a dominant wavelength (Dominant Wavelength) of, for example, 610 nm to 620 nm. This configuration makes it possible to emphasize the three-dimensional effect when viewed from the front. Furthermore, the main wavelengths of the light generated by the light-emitting layers 35 and 36 may be set to differ depending on the function of the vehicle lighting device 100 (tail lamp, stop lamp, rear turn signal lamp, etc.).
[0024] The light-emitting layers 35 and 36 contain particulate light-emitting material. In this embodiment, the light-emitting material is, for example, SCASN(SnCaAlSiN:Eu ３＋ ), CASN(CaAlSiN:Eu ３＋ Inorganic fluorescent materials such as ) can be used. The dominant wavelength of the generated light can be adjusted by adjusting the particle size of the light-emitting material. Alternatively, semiconductor crystals with a diameter of about 2 nm to 10 nm, such as quantum dots (e.g., perovskite, CdSe, etc.), may be used as light-emitting materials. In this case, since the size of the light-emitting material is smaller than that of the above-mentioned organic materials, phosphors, etc., the appearance of the light-emitting layers 35 and 36 can be made transparent when not emitting light. Furthermore, when quantum dots are used as light-emitting materials, the manufacturing cost can be reduced compared to the above-mentioned organic materials, phosphors, etc. Examples of quantum dots include materials having a perovskite-type structure. In this case, for example, the compositional materials (A, B, X ３ Etc.: Note that A, B, X ３The dominant wavelength of the generated light can be adjusted by adjusting the (which is an atom). Also, when using CdSe as the quantum dot, for example, the dominant wavelength is determined by the crystal core diameter. The light-emitting layers 35 and 36 can be formed by coating and printing the coating solution containing the above-mentioned light-emitting material onto the incident surface 31a of the first substrate 31 or the incident surface 32a of the second substrate 32. This improves the positional accuracy of the light-emitting layers 35 and 36.
[0025] The first pattern layer 33 has multiple light-emitting layers 35 arranged in a predetermined shape, for example, triangular. The dimensions and orientation of the vertices of the light-emitting layers 35 can be set arbitrarily. The second pattern layer 34 has multiple light-emitting layers 36 arranged in a predetermined shape, for example, triangular, similar to the light-emitting layers 35 of the first pattern layer 33. The dimensions and orientation of the vertices of the light-emitting layers 36 can be set arbitrarily and may differ from the shape of the light-emitting layers 35 of the first pattern layer 33.
[0026] The first pattern layer 33 and the second pattern layer 34 may be positioned so that the light-emitting layer 35 and the light-emitting layer 36 do not overlap when viewed from the front. The dimensions of the light-emitting layer 36 of the second pattern layer 34, formed on the second substrate 32 on the front side, may be set to be larger than the light-emitting layer 35 of the first pattern layer 33, formed on the first substrate 31 on the back side. This configuration makes it possible to emphasize the three-dimensional effect when viewed from the front.
[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the light-emitting layer 36 of the second pattern layer 34 formed on the second substrate 32 on the front side is larger in dimensions than the light-emitting layer 35 of the first pattern layer 33 formed on the first substrate 31 on the back side. This configuration makes it possible to emphasize the three-dimensional effect when viewed from the front.
[0028] The outer lens 40 is positioned on the front side of the light conversion unit 30. In this embodiment, the outer lens 40 is provided as an output-side lens capable of emitting the light emission pattern P formed by the light emission unit 60 to the front side. The outer lens 40 has an incident surface 41 and an output surface 42. Red light, which is generated light from the light conversion unit 30, is incident on the incident surface 41. The output surface 42 emits the light incident on the incident surface 41 to the front side. In this embodiment, the outer lens 40 is, for example, red, the same color as the generated light. The outer lens 40 transmits red light and absorbs light other than red light (for example, excitation light, etc.). The outer lens 40 is held by, for example, a housing 50. The outer lens 40 and the housing 50 form a lamp chamber R. In this embodiment, the inner surface 51 of the housing 50 is black.
[0029] The operation of the vehicle lighting device 100 configured as described above will now be explained. By turning on the excitation light source 10, excitation light L (see Figure 2) emitted from the excitation light source 10 is emitted and incident on the optical member 20. The excitation light L incident on the optical member 20 is emitted by the optical member 20 and irradiates the first substrate 31.
[0030] Of the excitation light L irradiated onto the first substrate 31, a portion of the excitation light L irradiates the light-emitting layer 35 of the first pattern layer 33. When the light-emitting layer 35 is irradiated with the excitation light L, the light-emitting layer 35 is excited and emits generated light L1 in the dominant wavelength range, for example, 620 nm to 635 nm. The generated light L1 produced in the light-emitting layer 35 is emitted backward (towards the front).
[0031] Of the excitation light L irradiated onto the first substrate 31, the excitation light L that passes between the light-emitting layers 35 irradiates the second substrate 32. Of the excitation light L irradiated onto the second substrate 32, a portion of the excitation light L irradiates the light-emitting layer 36 of the second pattern layer 34. When the light-emitting layer 36 is irradiated with excitation light L, the light-emitting layer 36 is excited and emits generated light L2 in a range below, for example, a dominant wavelength (Dominant Wavelength) of 610 nm to 620 nm. The generated light L2 produced in the light-emitting layer 36 is emitted backward (towards the front).
[0032] The generated light L1 emitted from the light-emitting layer 35 of the first pattern layer 33 passes through the first substrate 31 and then through the second substrate 32 to reach the outer lens 40. Similarly, the generated light L2 emitted from the light-emitting layer 36 of the second pattern layer 34 passes through the second substrate 32 to reach the outer lens 40. The generated light L1 and L2 that reach the outer lens 40 enter from the incident surface 41 of the outer lens 40 and are emitted in the forward direction from the exit surface 42.
[0033] Figure 4 shows an example of a vehicle light fixture 100 in an illuminated state when viewed from the front. As shown in Figure 4, when the vehicle light fixture 100 is viewed from the front, the light emission pattern P formed by the first pattern P1 generated by the first pattern layer 33 and the second pattern P2 generated by the second pattern layer 34 is visible. In this embodiment, the dominant wavelength of the generated light L2 generated by the light emission layer 36 of the second pattern layer 34 on the front side is shorter than the dominant wavelength of the generated light L1 generated by the light emission layer 35 of the first pattern layer 33 on the back side. For this reason, the second pattern P2, which is located on the front side of the light chamber R, is brighter than the first pattern P1, which is located on the back side of the light chamber R. As a result, when viewed from the front, the light emission pattern P is perceived as a three-dimensional light emission pattern with a sense of depth due to a three-dimensional optical illusion. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the light-emitting layer 36 of the second pattern layer 34 on the front side is larger in dimensions than the light-emitting layer 35 of the first pattern layer 33 on the back side. As a result, the second pattern P2, which is located on the front side of the lamp chamber R, is formed to be larger in dimensions than the first pattern P1, which is located on the back side of the lamp chamber R. As a result, when viewed from the front side by an observer, it is perceived as a three-dimensional light-emitting pattern P with a sense of depth due to a three-dimensional optical illusion.
[0034] Figure 5(A) shows another example of the light conversion unit 30, and shows the configuration when the first substrate 31 and the second substrate 32 are stacked and viewed from the front. Figure 5(B) shows another example of the vehicle light fixture 100 when it is lit and viewed from the front. In Figures 5(A) and 5(B), the vehicle light fixture 100 is shown as a fixed side portion 101 provided on the vehicle body 2 (fixed part) and a movable side portion 102 provided on the back door 7 (movable part).
[0035] As shown in Figure 5(A), the fixed portion 101 and the movable portion 102 are arranged with a gap (separation 103) between them in the left-right direction. In both the fixed portion 101 and the movable portion 102, a light-emitting layer (for example, light-emitting layer 36) that generates light of the same main wavelength is positioned as the light-emitting layer closest to the gap 103 in the left-right direction.
[0036] As a result, as shown in Figure 5(B), the light emission pattern P is formed such that both sides of the gap 103 between the fixed portion 101 and the movable portion 102 have the same pattern (for example, the second pattern P2). This creates a sense of continuity between the fixed portion 101 and the movable portion 102 when viewed from the front.
[0037] As described above, the vehicle light fixture 100 according to this embodiment includes a light-emitting section 60 having a plurality of light-emitting layers 35, 36 that emit light on the front side, and the plurality of light-emitting layers 35, 36 are arranged to form a light-emitting pattern P that causes a three-dimensional optical illusion when viewed from the front side by the emitted light, and an outer lens 40 that can emit the light-emitting pattern P formed by the light-emitting section 60 to the front side.
[0038] With this configuration, the light-emitting layers 35 and 36 are arranged to form a light-emitting pattern P that creates a three-dimensional optical illusion when viewed from the front, making it possible to achieve a three-dimensional light emission that gives the observer a sense of depth.
[0039] In the vehicle lighting device 100 according to this embodiment, the light-emitting section 60 has a plurality of light-emitting layers 35, 36 that emit light of different main wavelengths.
[0040] According to this configuration, since the light emission pattern P is formed by lights of different main wavelengths emitted from the plurality of light emitting layers 35 and 36, it is possible to realize three-dimensional light emission with a sense of depth for an observer.
[0041] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 60 has an excitation light source 10 that emits excitation light. The plurality of light emitting layers 35 and 36 are arranged corresponding to the light emission pattern P to form the first pattern layer 33 and the second pattern layer 34, and generate generated light when irradiated with the excitation light.
[0042] According to this configuration, since the light emission pattern P is formed by the generated light generated when the excitation light from the excitation light source 10 is irradiated to the light emitting layers 35 and 36, it is possible to realize three-dimensional light emission with a sense of depth for an observer.
[0043] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 60 is arranged on the front side of the excitation light source 10 and has a first substrate 31 and a second substrate 32 that transmit at least the generated light. The first pattern layer 33 and the second pattern layer 34 are formed on the incident surfaces 31a and 32a of the first substrate 31 and the second substrate 32 where the excitation light source 10 is incident.
[0044] According to this configuration, a configuration for forming the light emission pattern P by the generated light generated in the light emitting layers 35 and 36 can be appropriately realized.
[0045] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, the first substrate 31 and the second substrate 32 transmit the excitation light and are arranged in plurality in the front-rear direction. The first pattern layer 33 and the second pattern layer 34 are provided on the respective first substrates 31 and second substrates 32, and the light emitting layers 35 and 36 are arranged so as to form the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2 which are part of the light emission pattern P by the generated light. The light emitting unit 60 forms the light emission pattern P in a state viewed from the front side by forming the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2 in the first pattern layer 33 and the second pattern layer 34 for each of the first substrate 31 and the second substrate 32.
[0046] According to this configuration, one of the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2 is formed on the front side and the other is formed on the back side. Thereby, three-dimensional light emission with a sense of depth can be realized.
[0047] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, the light emitting layer 36 of the second pattern layer 34 formed on the second substrate 32 disposed on the front side among the plurality of first substrates 31 and second substrates 32 generates generated light having a shorter main wavelength than the light emitting layer 35 of the first pattern layer 33 formed on the first substrate 31 disposed on the back side.
[0048] According to this configuration, the second pattern P2 disposed on the front side becomes a brighter color than the first pattern P1 disposed on the back side. Thereby, when the observer views from the front side, it is visually recognized as a three-dimensional light emitting pattern P with a sense of depth due to three-dimensional parallax.
[0049] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, the light emitting layer 36 of the second pattern layer 34 formed on the second substrate 32 disposed on the front side among the plurality of first substrates 31 and second substrates 32 has larger dimensions than the light emitting layer 35 of the first pattern layer 33 formed on the first substrate 31 disposed on the back side.
[0050] According to this configuration, the second pattern P2 disposed on the front side is formed with larger dimensions than the first pattern P1 disposed on the back side. Thereby, when the observer views from the front side, it is visually recognized as a three-dimensional light emitting pattern P with a sense of depth due to three-dimensional parallax.
[0051] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, the first substrate 31 and the second substrate 32 are arranged at a distance of 5 mm or more and 20 mm or less in the front-back direction.
[0052] According to this configuration, a three-dimensional light emitting pattern P with a sense of depth can be appropriately formed.
[0053] In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, the light emitting layers 35 and 36 generate generated light having a main wavelength (Dominant Wavelength) of 610 nm or more and 650 nm or less.
[0054] With this configuration, the dominant wavelength range of the generated light produced by the light-emitting layers 35 and 36 is 610 nm to 650 nm (Dominant Wavelength), so a three-dimensional light emission pattern P with a sense of depth can be appropriately formed. For example, if the generated light from the light-emitting layer 35 has a dominant wavelength range of 620 nm to 635 nm, and the generated light from the light-emitting layer 36 has a dominant wavelength range of 610 nm to 620 nm (Dominant Wavelength), the sense of depth is further increased, resulting in a more preferable dominant wavelength range for the generated light.
[0055] In the vehicle lighting device 100 according to this embodiment, the excitation light source 10 emits excitation light with a wavelength of 300 nm to 480 nm.
[0056] With this configuration, the wavelength range of the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source 10 is 300 nm to 480 nm, so the light-emitting layers 35 and 36 can be properly excited. For example, when the wavelength range of the excitation light is 440 nm to 460 nm, this wavelength range becomes the optimal wavelength range for the excitation wavelength of the light-emitting layers 35 and 36.
[0057] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, although a configuration in which a plurality of substrates (first substrate 31, second substrate 32) are provided and an emissive layer is provided on each substrate (a configuration in which an emissive layer 35 is provided on the first substrate 31 and an emissive layer 36 is provided on the second substrate 32) has been described as an example, the invention is not limited to this configuration. There may be one substrate or three or more substrates.
[0058] Figure 6 shows the configuration of a modified vehicle light fixture 100A. As shown in Figure 6, in the vehicle light fixture 100A, the light conversion unit 30A of the light-emitting unit 60A has a substrate 37 arranged in the front-to-back direction. The substrate 37 has an incident surface 37a and an exit surface 37b. Excitation light from the excitation light source 10 via the optical member 20 is incident on the incident surface 37a. A light-emitting layer 35A is formed on the incident surface 37a.
[0059] Figure 7(A) shows an example of the light conversion unit 30A, and shows the configuration of the substrate 37 as viewed from the front. Figure 7(B) shows an example of the vehicle light fixture 100A when it is lit, as viewed from the front. As shown in Figure 7(B), the light emission pattern PA is formed by a pattern of repeatedly arranged perspective views of three-dimensional objects (for example, cubes or rectangular prisms) having multiple faces.
[0060] The light-emitting layer 35A is provided for each face of the solid in the perspective view. That is, the light-emitting layer 35A includes a light-emitting layer 35p corresponding to the left face of the solid, a light-emitting layer 35q corresponding to the top face of the solid, and a light-emitting layer 35r corresponding to the right face of the solid. The light-emitting layer 35A generates generated light of different dominant wavelengths for each face of the solid. That is, the light-emitting layers 35p, 35q, and 35r generate generated light of different dominant wavelengths from each other.
[0061] This configuration forms an emission pattern PA, as shown in Figure 7(B), which includes a partial pattern P3 corresponding to the left side of the solid, a partial pattern P4 corresponding to the top side of the solid, and a partial pattern P5 corresponding to the right side of the solid. As described above, since the emission layers 35p, 35q, and 35r generate light with different main wavelengths, partial patterns P3, P4, and P5 are perceived as different colors.
[0062] Thus, in the vehicle lighting device 100A, one substrate 37 is arranged in the front-to-back direction, the light emission pattern P is formed by a pattern of repeatedly arranged perspective views of a three-dimensional object having multiple faces, and the light emission layers 35A (light emission layers 35p, 35q, 35r) are provided for each face of the three-dimensional object in the perspective view, and each face of the three-dimensional object generates generated light of a different main wavelength.
[0063] With this configuration, the generated light of different dominant wavelengths produced by the light-emitting layer 35A (light-emitting layers 35p, 35q, 35r) can form a light emission pattern PA that creates a three-dimensional illusion when viewed from the front, thus enabling the observation of a three-dimensional light emission with a sense of depth.
[0064] Figure 8 shows the configuration of a modified vehicle light fixture 100B. As shown in Figure 8, in the vehicle light fixture 100B, the light conversion unit 30B of the light-emitting unit 60B has a configuration in which multiple types of light-emitting layers 35B and 36B with different layer thicknesses are included. In the example shown in Figure 8, the concentration of light-emitting elements contained in each light-emitting layer 35B is uniform. Similarly, the concentration of light-emitting elements contained in each light-emitting layer 36B is uniform. The light-emitting elements contained in the light-emitting layer 35B and the light-emitting elements contained in the light-emitting layer 36B may be of the same type or of different types. The main wavelength of the generated light produced in the light-emitting layer 35B and the main wavelength of the generated light produced in the light-emitting layer 36B may be the same or different.
[0065] In the example shown in Figure 8, the light-emitting layer 36B of the second pattern layer 34 formed on the second substrate 32 on the front side is thicker than the light-emitting layer 35B of the first pattern layer 33 formed on the first substrate 31 on the back side. For example, the thickness of the light-emitting layer 35B can be 10 μm or more and 50 μm or less. The thickness of the light-emitting layer 36B can be 50 μm or more and 100 μm or less. In this case, the light-emitting layer 36B, which is thicker, produces brighter light than the light-emitting layer 35B, which is thinner. Therefore, the second pattern P2 produced by the light-generated light from the light-emitting layer 36B is brighter than the first pattern P1 produced by the light-generated light from the light-emitting layer 35B. In this case, since the second pattern P2 is positioned on the front side of the first pattern P1, the light-emitting pattern P can be formed so that the front side is brighter and the back side is darker for the observer. Therefore, it is possible to form a three-dimensional light-emitting pattern P with a sense of depth. The light-emitting layers 35B and 36B can be formed by a screen printing method using a metal mask. In this case, by adjusting the thickness of the metal mask during printing, light-emitting layers 35B and 36B with different thicknesses can be formed. Alternatively, the light-emitting layers 35B and 36B can be formed by a pad printing method. In this case, by changing the number of printing passes, light-emitting layers 35B and 36B with different thicknesses can be formed.
[0066] Figure 9 shows the configuration of a modified vehicle light fixture 100C. As shown in Figure 9, in the vehicle light fixture 100C, the light conversion unit 30C of the light-emitting unit 60C has a configuration in which multiple types of light-emitting layers 35C and 36C with different concentrations of light-emitting material (light-emitting elements) are present. In the example shown in Figure 9, the layer thickness of light-emitting layer 35C and light-emitting layer 36C are the same. The light-emitting elements contained in light-emitting layer 35C and the light-emitting elements contained in light-emitting layer 36C may be of the same type or of different types. The main wavelength of the generated light produced in light-emitting layer 35B and the main wavelength of the generated light produced in light-emitting layer 36B may be the same type or of different types. Also, the layer thickness of light-emitting layer 35C and light-emitting layer 36C may be different.
[0067] In the example shown in Figure 9, the light-emitting layer 36C of the second pattern layer 34 formed on the second substrate 32 on the front side has a higher light-emitting density than the light-emitting layer 35C of the first pattern layer 33 formed on the first substrate 31 on the back side. For example, the light-emitting density of the light-emitting layer 35C can be 10% to 30%. Also, the density of the light-emitting layer 36C can be 30% to 60%. In this case, the light-emitting layer 36C with a higher light-emitting density will have a higher brightness of generated light than the light-emitting layer 35C with a lower light-emitting density. Therefore, the second pattern P2 generated by the light-generated light from the light-emitting layer 36C will have a higher brightness than the first pattern P1 generated by the light-generated light from the light-emitting layer 35C. In this case, since the second pattern P2 is positioned on the front side of the first pattern P1, the light-emitting pattern P can be formed so that the front side is brighter and the back side is darker for the observer. Therefore, it is possible to form a three-dimensional light-emitting pattern P with a sense of depth.
[0068] Figure 10 shows the configuration of a modified vehicle light fixture 100D. In the above embodiment, the light-emitting unit 60 has an excitation light source 10, and a plurality of light-emitting layers 35, 36 generate generated light by irradiation with excitation light from the excitation light source 10, and the generated light forms a light emission pattern. However, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, in the vehicle light fixture 100D shown in Figure 10, the light-emitting unit 60D has a light source 15 that emits light between 610 nm and 650 nm. The light source 15 has a first light source 15a and a second light source 15b that emit light of different wavelengths. The first light source 15a emits light in the range of 610 nm to 620 nm, for example. The second light source 15b emits light in the range of 620 nm to 630 nm, for example. The first light source 15a and the second light source 15b are arranged at positions corresponding to the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2 (see Figure 4, etc.) that constitute the light emission pattern P.
[0069] Furthermore, the light-emitting section 60D has a slit member S. The slit member S has a first opening S1 having dimensions and shape corresponding to the first pattern P1, and a second opening S2 having dimensions and shape corresponding to the second pattern P2. The first opening S1 and the second opening S2 are positioned corresponding to the first light source 15a, the second light source 15b, and the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2.
[0070] Light emitted from the first light source 15a reaches the slit member S via the optical member 20, and some of the light passes through the first aperture S1. The light that passes through the first aperture S1 is emitted from the outer lens 40 as light that forms the first pattern P1. Light emitted from the second light source 15b reaches the slit member S via the optical member 20, and some of the light passes through the second aperture S2. The light that passes through the second aperture S2 is emitted from the outer lens 40 as light that forms the second pattern P2. As a result, an emission pattern P having the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2 is formed. Furthermore, by gradually changing the film thickness of the light source 15 or the density of the light-emitting material contained in the light source 15, the pattern can be gradually changed (gradient). Furthermore, when this technology is used in a rear combination lamp as shown in Figure 5, the fixed portion 101 and the movable portion 102 can be made to have the same brightness and a sense of continuity by using the same light source 15 in the portion closest to the gap 103 in the left-right direction, where the main wavelength of the generated light, the density of the light-emitting material, and the film thickness are the same.
[0071] In this way, by forming the first pattern P1 and the second pattern P2, and thus the light emission pattern P, with light emitted from the light source 15, a light emission pattern P with high brightness can be formed.
[0072] L...excitation light, L1, L2...generated light, P, PA...emission pattern, P1...first pattern, P2...second pattern, P3, P4, P5...partial pattern, R...light chamber, S...slit member, S1...first opening, S2...second opening, 1...vehicle, 2...vehicle body, 3...running gear, 4...tire, 7...back door, 10...excitation light source, 11, 37...substrate, 15...light source, 15a...first light source, 15b...second light source, 20...optical member, 21, 31a, 32a, 37a, 41...incident surface, 22, 31b, 32b, 37b, 42...Emitting surface, 30, 30A, 30B, 30C...Light conversion section, 31...First substrate, 32...Second substrate, 33...First pattern layer, 34...Second pattern layer, 35, 35A, 35B, 35C, 35p, 35q, 35r, 36, 36B, 36C...Light-emitting layer, 40...Outer lens, 50...Housing, 51...Inner surface, 60, 60A, 60B, 60C, 60D...Light-emitting section, 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D...Vehicle lighting fixture, 101...Fixed side section, 102...Movable side section, 103...Gap section
Claims
1. A vehicle light fixture comprising: a light-emitting section having multiple light-emitting layers that emit light on the front side, wherein the multiple light-emitting layers are arranged to form a light-emitting pattern that causes a three-dimensional optical illusion when viewed from the front side by the emitted light; and an output-side lens capable of emitting the light-emitting pattern formed by the light-emitting section to the front side.
2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting part has a plurality of light-emitting layers that emit light of different main wavelengths.
3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting unit has an excitation light source that emits excitation light, and the plurality of light-emitting layers are arranged in accordance with the light-emitting pattern to form a pattern layer, and generated light is produced when the excitation light is irradiated.
4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3, wherein the light-emitting portion is arranged on the front side of the excitation light source and has a substrate that transmits at least the generated light, and the pattern layer is formed on the incident surface of the substrate to which the excitation light source is incident.
5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 4, wherein the substrates transmit the excitation light and are arranged in a front-to-back direction, the pattern layer is provided on each of the substrates, the light-emitting layer is arranged so as to form a part of the light-emitting pattern with the generated light, and the light-emitting part forms the light-emitting pattern as viewed from the front by forming a part of the light-emitting pattern in the pattern layer for each of the substrates.
6. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 5, wherein the light-emitting layer of the pattern layer formed on the substrate arranged on the front side of the plurality of substrates generates generated light with a shorter main wavelength than the light-emitting layer of the pattern layer formed on the substrate arranged on the back side.
7. The vehicle lamp according to claim 5, wherein the light-emitting layer of the pattern layer formed on the substrate arranged on the front side of the plurality of substrates is larger in dimensions than the light-emitting layer of the pattern layer formed on the substrate arranged on the back side.
8. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of substrates are arranged at a distance of 5 mm or more and 20 mm or less in the front-to-back direction.
9. The vehicle light fixture according to claim 4, wherein one substrate is arranged in the front-to-back direction, the light emission pattern is formed by a pattern of repeatedly arranged perspective views of a three-dimensional object having multiple faces, and the light emission layer is provided for each face of the three-dimensional object in the perspective view, and generates the generated light of a different main wavelength for each face of the three-dimensional object.
10. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3, wherein the light-emitting portion has a plurality of types of light-emitting layers having at least one of the layer thickness and the concentration of the light-emitting material different.
11. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting layer generates the generated light having a main wavelength of 610 nm to 650 nm.
12. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3, wherein the excitation light source emits excitation light having a wavelength of 300 nm or more and 480 nm or less.