JP2023121655A - Vehicular lighting fixture - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting fixture that is configured to emit outgoing light from a light source to the front of the lighting fixture through a light guide body such that the light guide body appears to shine even at its outer peripheral edge part.SOLUTION: A light guide body 30 is configured to totally reflect outgoing light from a light emitting element 22 which impinges on its center region 32 toward a peripheral region 34, and a plurality of incidence control elements 34S for incidence control over direct light from the light emitting element 22 are formed on a rear face of the peripheral region 34, side by side, from an inner peripheral side to an outer peripheral side. The plurality of incidence control elements 34S each comprises a second incidence surface 34S1 on which the direct light from the light emitting element 22 impinges and a second reflection surface 34S2 which totally reflects the incident light to the front of the lighting fixture, and are so arranged that the totally reflected light from the center region 32 can impinge on the second reflection surface 34S2. Consequently, bright light traveling from the light emitting element 22 toward the center region 32 of the light guide body 30 is distributed to the peripheral region 34.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp having a light guide.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a vehicle lamp configured to emit light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a light guide.

In "Patent Document 1", as a configuration of such a vehicle lamp, a plurality of incidence control elements for controlling the incidence of direct light from a light source are provided on the rear surface of a light guide body from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side. Those formed in a state of being lined up toward the direction are described.

Each of the plurality of incidence control elements described in this "Patent Document 1" has an incidence surface for receiving direct light from a light source and totally reflects the light from the light source incident from this incidence surface toward the front of the lamp. and a reflective surface.

JP 2009-187859 A

By adopting the configuration as described in the above-mentioned "Patent Document 1", it is possible to use the direct light emitted from the light source toward the front of the lamp as forward illumination light over a wide range.

However, in such a vehicle lamp, out of the direct light emitted from the light source toward the front of the lamp, the light directed toward the outer peripheral edge of the light guide often cannot obtain a sufficient amount of light. It is not easy to make the light guide appear to shine brightly to its outer periphery.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a light guide body. To provide a vehicular lamp capable of making a person's body appear to shine brightly up to its outer peripheral edge.

The present invention is intended to achieve the above object by devising the configuration of the light guide.

That is, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is
A vehicle lamp configured to emit light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a light guide,
The light guide has a central area located in front of the lamp of the light source and a peripheral area located around the central area,
The central region includes a first incident surface for direct light incident from the light source, and a first reflecting surface for totally reflecting the light from the light source incident from the first incident surface toward the peripheral region. and
A plurality of incidence control elements for controlling the incidence of direct light from the light source are formed on the rear surface of the peripheral region in a state of being aligned from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the peripheral region,
Each of the plurality of incident control elements has a second incident surface for receiving direct light from the light source, and a second reflection surface for totally reflecting the light from the light source incident from the second incident surface toward the front of the lamp. has a surface and
Each of the plurality of incidence control elements is arranged at a position where light from the light source totally reflected by the first reflecting surface can enter the second reflecting surface.

The type of the "vehicle lamp" is not particularly limited, and for example, tail lamps, clearance lamps, front turn signal lamps, etc. can be employed.

The type of the "light source" is not particularly limited, and for example, light emitting diodes, light source bulbs, etc. can be employed.

The specific range and outer shape of each of the above "central region" and "peripheral region" are not particularly limited.

A vehicle lamp according to the present invention includes a light guide. This light guide has a central area and a peripheral area. are formed in a state of being aligned from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side, and each of the plurality of incidence control elements has a second incident surface on which direct light from the light source is incident; The light emitted from the light source toward the front of the lamp is used over a wide range as forward illuminating light because the second reflecting surface is provided to totally reflect the light from the light source incident from the second incident surface toward the front of the lamp. can do.

In addition, the central region of the light guide includes a first incident surface for receiving direct light from the light source, and a first reflection surface for totally reflecting the light from the light source incident from the first incident surface toward the peripheral region. and each of the plurality of incidence control elements is arranged at a position where the light from the light source totally reflected by the first reflecting surface in the central region can enter the second reflecting surface, The light from the light source that is totally reflected by the first reflecting surface in the central area can also be used as forward illumination light from the peripheral area.

And by diverting bright light from the light source toward the central region of the lightguide in this way to the peripheral region, the forward illuminating light from the peripheral region can be greatly increased, thereby allowing the lightguide to illuminate the outside of the lightguide. It is possible to make even the peripheral part appear to shine brightly.

As described above, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a light guide, the light guide shines brightly up to its outer peripheral edge. can be made visible.

In the above configuration, each of the plurality of incidence control elements is further configured such that the second reflecting surface is formed of an inclined surface inclined toward the outer circumference toward the front of the lamp, and the outer circumference side area is the inner side. If it is formed with a larger angle of inclination than the circumferential region, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, the light from the light source totally reflected by the first reflecting surface in the central area is incident on each of the plurality of incidence control elements on the outer peripheral side area of the second reflecting surface. Since the area is formed with a larger inclination angle than the inner peripheral side area, the light from the light source, which is incident from the second incident surface of the peripheral area and then totally reflected by the inner peripheral side area of the second reflecting surface, and the central area. After being totally reflected by the first reflecting surface, the light from the light source, which is totally reflected by the outer peripheral region of the second reflecting surface, can be irradiated as light traveling in substantially the same direction close to the front direction of the lamp. . As a result, when viewed from the front of the lamp, the peripheral area of the light guide can be seen to shine brightly over its entire area.

At that time, the specific range of each of the "inner peripheral side area" and the "outer peripheral side area" is not particularly limited, and the outer peripheral side area is formed with a larger inclination angle than the inner peripheral side area. If so, each specific inclination angle is not particularly limited.

In the above configuration, if the plurality of incident control elements are arranged in a state in which they are gradually displaced toward the front side of the lamp from the inner peripheral side toward the outer peripheral side of the peripheral region, then the first reflecting surface of the central region The light from the light source totally reflected at can be efficiently made incident on the second reflecting surface.

In the above configuration, a plurality of emission control elements for controlling the emission of light from the light source, which is totally reflected by the second reflecting surfaces of the plurality of incidence control elements, is further provided on the front surface of the peripheral area from the inner peripheral side of the peripheral area. With a configuration in which the light guides are arranged in a row toward the outer periphery, light distribution control by the light guide can be performed with high accuracy. At this time, among the plurality of emission control elements, at least the emission control elements positioned at the outer peripheral edge of the peripheral region are configured to deflect and emit the light from the light source, which is totally reflected by the second reflecting surface, toward the central region. If this is the case, even if other lamp constituent members are arranged around the light guide, the forward illumination light from the peripheral area may be inadvertently blocked by the lamp constituent members. It is possible to prevent it from being put away.

In the above configuration, if the light source is composed of a light-emitting element arranged with the light-emitting surface facing forward of the lamp, the light distribution of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is the same as that of the light-emitting surface While the intensity of the emitted light toward the central region of the light guide located substantially perpendicular to the surface of the light guide increases, the intensity of the emitted light toward the peripheral region of the light guide decreases significantly. It is particularly effective to employ a configuration in which the light from the light-emitting element that is totally reflected by the first reflecting surface of the region is used as forward illumination light from the peripheral region.

1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. II-II line sectional view of Fig. 1 Detailed view of part III in Fig. 2 Detailed view of part IV in Fig. 3 Detailed view of V part in FIG. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing how light distribution control is performed in the peripheral region of the light guide of the vehicle lamp. FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing a first modification of the above embodiment; FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing a second modification of the above embodiment;

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the direction indicated by X is the "forward" direction of the vehicle lamp 10 (also "forward" as the vehicle), and the direction indicated by Y is the "left direction" of the vehicle lamp 10 (also known as the vehicle). "leftward"), and the direction indicated by Z is "upward". The same applies to figures other than FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment is a front turn signal lamp that is arranged in the front part of a vehicle. A light source unit 20, a light guide 30, a holder panel 40, and an extension panel 50 are incorporated in a lamp chamber formed by a transparent light-transmitting cover 14. The vehicle lamp 10 is configured to irradiate the light emitted from the light source unit 20 through the light guide 30 toward the front of the lamp.

The light source unit 20 has a structure in which a light emitting element 22 as a light source is supported by a plug 26 via a substrate 24 . The light source unit 20 is supported by the holder panel 40 through light source support holes 40 a formed in the holder panel 40 . This support is performed by inserting the front end portion of the plug 26 into the light source support hole 40 a from the rear side of the lamp and rotating it by a predetermined amount to fit it into the holder panel 40 . A packing 28 is attached to the plug 26 to ensure this fitting. A plurality of heat radiation fins 26a are formed on the rear portion of the plug 26. As shown in FIG.

The holder panel 40 is supported by the lamp body 12 at its outer peripheral edge.

The light emitting element 22 is an amber light emitting diode having a square light emitting surface 22a. When the light source unit 20 is supported by the holder panel 40, the light emitting surface 22a faces the front of the lamp (more ) is configured to be placed facing the

The light guide 30 is a transparent resin molded article such as acrylic (PMMA) resin or polycarbonate (PC) resin, and is configured to guide the light emitted from the light emitting element 22 . The light guide 30 includes a central region 32 positioned in the front direction of the lamp with respect to the light emitting element 22, a peripheral region 34 positioned around the central region 32, and an outer peripheral wall portion positioned around the peripheral region 34. 36, and is supported by the holder panel 40 at the outer peripheral wall portion 36 thereof.

The center region 32 is formed around a reference axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp so as to pass through the light emission center of the light-emitting element 22, and has a circular outer shape when viewed from the front of the lamp.

The central portion of the central region 32 is configured as a transmission control portion 32A that controls transmission of direct light from the light emitting element 22, and the outer peripheral portion thereof is configured as a reflection control portion 32B that controls reflection of direct light from the light emitting element 22. It is configured.

A rear surface of the central region 32 is configured as a first incident surface 32a that allows direct light from the light emitting center of the light emitting element 22 to enter as light parallel to the reference axis Ax.

The front surface of the transmission control section 32A in the central region 32 directs the direct light from the light emitting element 22 incident from the first incident surface 32a in a direction slightly expanding with respect to the direction parallel to the reference axis Ax. It is configured as an emission surface 32Aa. The first emission surface 32Aa is formed in a stepped shape with the outer peripheral portion displaced toward the front side of the lamp with respect to the central portion.

The front surface of the reflection control section 32B in the central region 32 is configured as a first reflecting surface 32Ba that totally reflects the direct light from the light emitting element 22 incident from the first incident surface 32a toward the peripheral region .

Specifically, the first reflecting surface 32Ba is formed of a conical surface having the reference axis Ax as a central axis, and thus the incident light from the first incident surface 32a reaching the first reflecting surface 32Ba is reflected by the reference axis. The light is totally reflected radially outward with Ax as the center. At this time, the first reflecting surface 32Ba is inclined so as to totally reflect the incident light from the first incident surface 32a in a direction slightly toward the rear of the lamp with respect to the vertical plane perpendicular to the reference axis Ax. angle is set.

The peripheral region 34 has a horizontally long rectangular outer shape centered on the reference axis Ax when viewed from the front of the lamp.

A plurality of incident control elements 34S for controlling the incidence of direct light from the light emitting elements 22 are formed on the rear surface of the peripheral region 34 in a state of being aligned from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the peripheral region 34. .

Specifically, the plurality of incidence control elements 34S are formed to extend annularly around the reference axis Ax when viewed from the front of the lamp. At that time, the plurality of incidence control elements 34S are formed with substantially the same cross-sectional shape and substantially constant width.

Each of the plurality of incidence control elements 34S has a second incidence surface 34S1 for receiving direct light from the light emitting element 22, and the light from the light emitting element 22 entering from the second incidence surface 34S1 is totally reflected toward the front of the lamp. and a second reflecting surface 34S2 that allows

Each of the plurality of incidence control elements 34S is arranged at a position where the light from the light emitting element 22 totally reflected by the first reflecting surface 32Ba of the central region 32 can enter the second reflecting surface 34S2.

In order to easily realize this, the plurality of incident control elements 34S are arranged in a state in which they are gradually displaced toward the front side of the lamp from the inner peripheral side of the peripheral region 34 toward the outer peripheral side. Specifically, the plurality of incidence control elements 34S are arranged along a conical surface that is inclined forward of the lamp by about 5 to 10° with respect to a vertical plane perpendicular to the reference axis Ax.

In front of the peripheral region 34, a plurality of emission control elements 34E1 and 34E2 for controlling the emission of the light from the light emitting elements 22 totally reflected by the second reflecting surfaces 34S2 of the plurality of incidence control elements 34S are provided. They are arranged in a row from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side. In the plurality of emission control elements 34E1 and 34E2, a plurality of annular regions extending concentrically around the reference axis Ax in a front view of the lamp are further divided into a plurality of fan-shaped segments in the circumferential direction at equal angles. ing.

The plurality of emission control elements 34E1 and 34E2 are formed at positions substantially overlapping with the plurality of incidence control elements 34S when viewed from the front of the lamp. That is, the plurality of emission control elements 34E1 and 34E2 are formed with a substantially constant width in the radial direction.

The plurality of emission control elements 34E1 and 34E2 are configured to emit the light from the light emitting element 22, which is totally reflected by the second reflecting surface 34S2, toward the front of the lamp in a direction near the reference axis Ax. At this time, the output control element 34E2 located at the outer peripheral edge of the peripheral region 34 has a larger deflected output angle toward the reference axis Ax than the output control element 34E1 located closer to the inner periphery of the peripheral region 34. , its cross-sectional shape is set.

Each of the plurality of emission control elements 34E1 and 34E2 is configured to emit the light from the light emitting element 22 totally reflected by the second reflecting surface 34S2 as light diffused in the circumferential direction with respect to the reference axis Ax.

The outer peripheral wall portion 36 of the light guide 30 is formed so as to extend from the outer peripheral edge portion of the peripheral region 34 toward the front of the lamp in a direction slightly inclined to the outer peripheral side. The outer peripheral wall portion 36 is formed to extend in a horizontally long rectangular shape along the outer peripheral shape of the peripheral region 34 when viewed from the front of the lamp.

The extension panel 50 is formed to extend in a horizontally long rectangular shape along the front end face of the outer peripheral wall portion 36 of the light guide 30 when viewed from the front of the lamp. The extension panel 50 has a laterally long rectangular opening 50 a slightly smaller than the outer shape of the peripheral region 34 of the light guide 30 . The extension panel 50 is formed so as to extend outward from the opening 50a toward the rear of the lamp, and is supported by the lamp body 12 in contact with the holder panel 40 at its rear end. .

3 is a detailed view of section III in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a detailed view of section IV in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, in each of the plurality of incidence control elements 34S, the second incidence surface 34S1 is formed in a substantially conical shape as an inclined surface inclined inward toward the front of the lamp. The surface 34S2 is formed in a substantially conical shape as an inclined surface inclined toward the outer circumference toward the front of the lamp.

A rear end portion 34Sa of each of the plurality of incidence control elements 34S has a rounded cross-sectional shape. On the other hand, the connecting portion between the plurality of incidence control elements 34S has a pin square cross-sectional shape with little roundness.

The second reflecting surface 34S2 is formed with a larger inclination angle in the outer peripheral side area 34S2B than in the inner peripheral side area 34S2A. In addition, the inner circumferential side area 34S2A of the second reflecting surface 34S2 is formed with a larger inclination angle than the second incident surface 34S1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the outer peripheral region 34S2B of the second reflecting surface 34S2 is the light from the light emitting element 22 totally reflected by the first reflecting surface 32Ba of the central region 32 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "reflected light B"). is formed over the maximum range that can be incident on the second reflecting surface 34S2, and the other area is formed as an inner peripheral side area 34S2A.

Each of the plurality of incidence control elements 34S totally reflects the reflected light B from the central region 32 toward the front of the lamp in the outer region 34S2B of the second reflecting surface 34S2, and In the peripheral region 34S2A, the light from the light emitting element 22 incident from the second incident surface 34S1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "direct light A") is totally reflected toward the front of the lamp.

5A and 5B are detailed views of the V portion in FIG. , and FIG. 5(c) is a diagram showing them at the same time.

As shown in FIG. 5(a), the reflected light B from the central region 32 reaches the outer peripheral region 34S2B of the second reflecting surface 34S2 as substantially parallel light, and is substantially It goes to the front of the lamp as parallel light. At this time, the inclination angle of the outer peripheral region 34S2B is set so that the totally reflected light from the outer peripheral region 34S2B is light directed in a direction slightly inclined inwardly with respect to the front direction of the lamp.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, the direct light A from the light emitting element 22 reaches the second incident surface 34S1 as light that spreads slightly more than the parallel light, and then the parallel light from the second incident surface 34S1. It reaches the inner peripheral side area 34S2A of the second reflecting surface 34S2 as light that spreads slightly more than the parallel light, and even after being totally reflected by this inner peripheral side area 34S2A, it travels toward the front of the lamp as light that spreads slightly more than parallel light. At that time, the inclination angle of the inner circumference side area 34S2A is set so that the total reflected light from the inner circumference side area 34S2A is light directed in a direction slightly inclined to the inner circumference side with respect to the front direction of the lamp. there is

However, the direct light A that has reached the rear end portion 34Sa of the incidence control element 34S enters from the second incident surface 34S1, converges once, and then reaches the inner peripheral side area 34S2A of the second reflecting surface 34S2 as diffused light. Therefore, after being totally reflected by the inner circumference side region 34S2A, the light travels forward of the lamp as diffused light.

Therefore, the total reflected light from the entire inner peripheral side area 34S2A includes substantially parallel light directed in a direction slightly inclined to the inner peripheral side with respect to the front direction of the lamp, and It is mixed with the diffused light that spreads out.

As shown in FIG. 5C, the total reflected light from the entire second reflecting surface 34S2 includes light originating from the reflected light B that travels in a direction close to the front direction of the lamp from the outer peripheral side region 34S2B as substantially parallel light, and light derived from the inner light. Light derived from direct light A that travels in a direction close to the front direction of the lamp as substantially parallel light and diffused light from the circumferential side area 34S2A is mixed.

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing how light distribution is controlled in the peripheral region 34 of the light guide 30 with respect to the light emitted from the light emitting element 22. As shown in FIG. At that time, FIG. 6(a) is a diagram showing how the light distribution is controlled with respect to the reflected light B from the central region 32, and FIG. FIG. 6(c) is a diagram showing them at the same time.

As shown in FIG. 6(a), the reflected light B from the central region 32 is totally reflected by the second reflecting surfaces 34S2 of the plurality of incident control elements 34S, and then is reflected slightly toward the inner periphery with respect to the front direction of the lamp. It reaches the front surface of the peripheral area 34 as substantially parallel light directed in a direction. Then, the light reaching the formation area of the emission control element 34E1 is emitted toward the front of the lamp as substantially parallel light that is slightly deflected toward the reference axis Ax by the emission control element 34E1. The light that has reached the formation area of the control element 34E2 is emitted toward the front of the lamp as substantially parallel light that is relatively largely deflected toward the reference axis Ax by the emission control element 34E2.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, the direct light A from the light emitting element 22 is totally reflected by the second reflecting surfaces 34S2 of the plurality of incident control elements 34S, and then slightly deflected toward the reference axis Ax. The light reaches the front surface of the peripheral region 34 as a mixture of approximately parallel light and diffused light. The light that has reached the formation area of the emission control element 34E1 is emitted toward the front of the lamp while being slightly deflected in a direction closer to the reference axis Ax, and the light that has reached the formation area of the emission control element 34E2 is directed toward the reference axis Ax. The light is emitted toward the front of the lamp while being relatively largely deflected in the near direction.

As shown in FIG. 6(c), the total reflected light from the entire second reflecting surface 34S2 includes the light originating from the reflected light B that travels forward from the outer peripheral side area 34S2B as substantially parallel light toward the front of the lamp, and the inner peripheral side area 34S2A. light derived from the direct light A directed toward the front of the lamp as substantially parallel light and diffused light.

At this time, the light derived from the reflected light B is emitted toward the front of the lamp as brighter light than the light derived from the direct light A.

In addition, both the light derived from the reflected light B and the light derived from the direct light A are relatively greatly deflected toward the reference axis Ax when emitted from the formation area of the emission control element 34E2 toward the front of the lamp. This prevents the light emitted from the light guide 30 from being blocked by the extension panel 50 (see FIG. 3).

Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

The vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment includes a light guide body 30. The light guide body 30 has a central region 32 and a peripheral region 34, and a rear surface of the peripheral region 34 serves as a light source. A plurality of incidence control elements 34S for controlling the incidence of direct light from the light emitting element 22 are arranged in a row from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side, and each of the plurality of incidence control elements 34S Equipped with a second incident surface 34S1 for receiving direct light from the light emitting element 22 and a second reflecting surface 34S2 for totally reflecting the light from the light emitting element 22 incident from the second incident surface 34S1 toward the front of the lamp. Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting element 22 toward the front of the lamp can be used over a wide range as forward illumination light.

In addition, the central region 32 of the light guide 30 has a first incident surface 32a on which direct light from the light emitting element 22 is incident, and a peripheral region 34 on which the light from the light emitting element 22 incident from the first incident surface 32a is received. Each of the plurality of incident control elements 34S is provided with a first reflecting surface 32Ba that is totally reflected toward the center region 32, and each of the plurality of incident control elements 34S receives light from the light emitting element 22 that is totally reflected by the first reflecting surface 32Ba of the central region 32. Since it is arranged at a position where it can be incident on the second reflecting surface 34S2, the light from the light emitting element 22 that is totally reflected by the first reflecting surface 32Ba of the central region 32 is also used as forward irradiation light from the peripheral region 34. can do.

By directing the bright light from the light emitting element 22 toward the central region 32 of the light guide 30 to the peripheral region 34 in this way, the forward illumination light from the peripheral region 34 can be greatly increased. It is possible to make the light guide 30 appear to shine brightly up to its outer peripheral edge.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the vehicle lamp 10 configured to irradiate the light emitted from the light emitting element 22 toward the front of the lamp via the light guide 30, the light guide 30 It is possible to make even the outer peripheral edge appear to shine brightly.

In particular, in this embodiment, each of the plurality of incidence control elements 34S is configured such that the second reflecting surface 34S2 thereof is an inclined surface that is inclined toward the outer periphery toward the front of the lamp. Since the outer peripheral region 34S2B of the second reflecting surface 34S2 is formed with a larger inclination angle than the inner peripheral region 34S2A, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, the light from the light emitting element 22 totally reflected by the first reflecting surface 32Ba of the central region 32 is incident on the outer peripheral region 34S2B of the second reflecting surface 34S2 of each of the plurality of incidence control elements 34S. However, since the outer peripheral region 34S2B is formed with a larger inclination angle than the inner peripheral region 34S2A, the light enters from the second incident surface 34S1 of the peripheral region 34 and then enters the inner peripheral region of the second reflecting surface 34S2. The light from the light emitting element 22 totally reflected by 34S2A and the light from the light emitting element 22 totally reflected by the outer peripheral side area 34S2B of the second reflecting surface 34S2 after being totally reflected by the first reflecting surface 32Ba of the central area 32 are It is possible to irradiate the light as light directed in substantially the same direction close to the front direction of the lamp. As a result, the peripheral area 34 of the light guide 30 can be made to appear to shine brightly over its entire area when viewed from the front of the lamp.

In addition, in this embodiment, the plurality of incident control elements 34S are arranged in a state of being gradually displaced toward the front side of the lamp from the inner peripheral side toward the outer peripheral side of the peripheral region 34. The light from the light emitting element 22 totally reflected by the reflecting surface 32Ba can be efficiently made incident on the second reflecting surface 34S2.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a plurality of emission control elements 34E1 and 34E2 for controlling the emission of light from the light emitting elements 22 totally reflected by the second reflecting surfaces 34S2 of the plurality of incidence control elements 34S are provided on the front surface of the peripheral region 34. are formed in a state of being aligned from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the peripheral region 34, the light distribution control by the light guide 30 can be performed with high accuracy. Moreover, the plurality of emission control elements 34E1 and 34E2 are configured to deflect and emit the light from the light emitting element 22, which is totally reflected by the second reflecting surface 34S2, toward the central region 32. The emission control element 34E2 positioned at the outer peripheral edge of the 34 is configured to largely deflect the light emitted from the light emitting element 22 and totally reflected by the second reflecting surface 34S2 toward the central region 32. To prevent the extension panel 50 from inadvertently blocking forward irradiation light from a peripheral area 34 even though the extension panel 50 is arranged as a lamp component around the light body 30. - 特許庁be able to.

Moreover, each of the plurality of emission control elements 34E1 and 34E2 is configured to emit the light from the light emitting element 22 that has been totally reflected by the second reflecting surface 34S2 as light diffused in the circumferential direction with respect to the reference axis Ax. The peripheral area 34 of the light guide 30 can be made to appear to shine uniformly over its entire area not only when viewed from the front of the lamp but also when observed from a direction slightly inclined from the front of the lamp.

In addition, in the vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment, the light emitting element 22 is arranged with its light emitting surface 22a facing forward. The intensity of the emitted light toward the central region 32 of the light guide 30 located substantially perpendicular to the light emitting surface 22a increases, while the intensity of the emitted light toward the peripheral region 34 of the light guide 30 decreases significantly. It is particularly effective to employ the configuration in which the light from the light emitting element 22 totally reflected by the first reflecting surface 32Ba of the central region 32 as in this embodiment is used as the forward illumination light from the peripheral region 34 .

Further, in the vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment, the light source is composed of the light emitting elements 22 of the light source unit 20. Therefore, even if there is variation in the light source luminous flux, the proper light source luminous flux can be obtained by exchanging the light source unit 20. It is possible to ensure On the other hand, when the light source unit 20 is housed in the lamp chamber as in the present embodiment, there may be a case where the lamp configuration is such that it cannot be replaced. It is easy to cause the variation of . However, if, as in the present embodiment, bright light directed from the light emitting element 22 toward the central region 32 of the light guide 30 is directed to the peripheral region 34, the forward irradiation light from the peripheral region 34 is greatly increased. Thus, even if there is some variation in the light flux of the light source, it is possible to make the light guide 30 appear to shine brightly even at its outer peripheral edge.

In the above embodiment, the peripheral region 34 of the light guide 30 has been described as having a horizontally long rectangular outer shape, but other outer shapes (for example, elliptical, parallelogram, etc.) may be used. It is also possible to have a configuration with

In the above embodiment, the plurality of incident control elements 34S are formed concentrically, but other arrangements ( For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration formed in a vertical striped pattern or a lattice pattern.

In the above embodiment, the light source unit 20 has been described as having a single light emitting element 22 , but a configuration having a plurality of light emitting elements 22 is also possible.

In the above embodiment, the light source unit 20 has been described as being supported by the holder panel 40 arranged in the lamp chamber. It is also possible to

In the above embodiment, the extension panel 50 is arranged around the light guide 30. However, other lamp components (for example, the flange portion of the inner lens) may be arranged. Even when such a configuration is adopted, it is possible to prevent the light from the peripheral area 34 from being inadvertently blocked or the stray light from being generated. can.

In the above embodiment, the case where the vehicle lamp 10 is a front turn signal lamp provided in the front part of the vehicle has been described. By doing so, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment. For example, as the vehicle lamp 10, a tail lamp, a stop lamp, a daytime running lamp, a clearance lamp, etc. can be employed in addition to the front turn signal lamp. In this case, it is possible to use red or white light-emitting diodes or the like in addition to amber light-emitting diodes in accordance with the functions of these lamps.

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

First, a first modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 is a view, similar to FIG. 5, showing a main part of the light guide 130 according to this modified example.

As shown in FIG. 7, the light guide 130 of this modified example also has the same basic configuration as that of the above-described embodiment, but a plurality of incident control elements 134S are formed on the rear surface of the peripheral region 134 thereof. is partly different from that of the above embodiment.

That is, also in this modification, the plurality of incidence control elements 134S are formed in a state of being aligned from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the peripheral region 134, and each of the plurality of incidence control elements 134S A second incident surface 134S1 that receives direct light A from a light-emitting element (not shown), and a lamp that receives the direct light A incident from the second incident surface 134S1 and reflected light B from a central region (not shown). Although the configuration includes a second reflecting surface 134S2 that totally reflects light toward the front, the cross-sectional shape of the second reflecting surface 134S2 is different from that of the above-described embodiment.

Specifically, in the second reflecting surface 134S2 of this modified example, the outer peripheral region 134S2B is formed with a larger inclination angle than the inner peripheral region 134S2A. is different from the case of the above-described embodiment in that it has a cross-sectional shape that is connected by a continuous concave curve.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the reflected light B that reaches the outer peripheral region 134S2B of the second reflecting surface 134S2 as substantially parallel light is totally reflected by the outer peripheral region 134S2B formed in the concave curve shape, and then The light is directed toward the front of the lamp as light that is slightly diffused toward the inner and outer circumferences with respect to the front direction of the lamp.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, the direct light A that reaches the second incident surface 134S1 as light that spreads slightly more than the parallel light spreads from the second incident surface 134S1 as light that spreads slightly more than the parallel light. After reaching the inner peripheral side area 134S2A of the second reflecting surface 134S2 and being totally reflected by the inner peripheral side area 134S2A formed in the shape of a concave curve, the light is relatively large toward the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side with respect to the front direction of the lamp. It goes to the front of the lamp as diffused light. In addition, the direct light A reaching the rear end portion 134Sa of the incidence control element 134S enters from the second incident surface 134S1, converges once, and then reaches the inner peripheral side area 134S2A of the second reflecting surface 134S2 as diffused light. After being totally reflected by the inner peripheral region 134S2A formed in the shape of a concave curve, the light travels toward the front of the lamp as light that is relatively greatly diffused toward the inner and outer peripheral sides with respect to the front direction of the lamp.

Therefore, even if the light is totally reflected from the entire inner peripheral area 134S2A, the light diffuses relatively greatly toward the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side with respect to the front direction of the lamp.

As shown in FIG. 7C, the total reflected light from the entire second reflecting surface 134S2 is diffused light with a relatively small spread from the outer peripheral side region 134S2B, which is derived from the reflected light B traveling in a direction close to the front direction of the lamp. The light is mixed with the light originating from the direct light A traveling in a direction close to the front of the lamp as diffused light with a relatively large spread from the inner peripheral side area 134S2A.

At this time, the light derived from the reflected light B is totally reflected toward the front of the lamp as light brighter than the light derived from the direct light A.

Even when the configuration of this modified example is employed, substantially the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

Further, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the total reflected light from the entire second reflecting surface 134S2 can be light that spreads to the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side more than in the case of the above embodiment. Therefore, not only when viewed from the front of the lamp but also when observed from a direction slightly inclined from the front of the lamp, the effect of making the peripheral region 134 of the light guide 130 appear to shine uniformly over the entire area can be enhanced. can.

Next, the 2nd modification of the said embodiment is demonstrated.

FIG. 8 is a view, similar to FIG. 5, showing a main part of a light guide 230 according to this modification.

As shown in FIG. 8, the light guide 230 of this modified example has the same basic configuration as that of the above embodiment, but a plurality of incident control elements 234S are formed on the rear surface of the peripheral region 234. As shown in FIG. is partly different from that of the above embodiment.

That is, also in this modification, the plurality of incidence control elements 234S are formed in a state of being aligned from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the peripheral region 234, and each of the plurality of incidence control elements 234S A second incident surface 234S1 that receives direct light A from a light-emitting element (not shown), and a lamp that receives the direct light A incident from the second incident surface 234S1 and reflected light B from a central region (not shown). Although the configuration includes a second reflecting surface 234S2 that totally reflects light forward, the cross-sectional shape of the second reflecting surface 234S2 is different from that of the above-described embodiment.

Specifically, in the second reflecting surface 234S2 of this modified example, the inner peripheral side region 234S2A and the outer peripheral side region 234S2B are formed with the same inclination angle, and the inclination angle is the same as that of the second reflecting surface of the above-described embodiment. It is set to the same value as the inclination angle of the outer peripheral side region 34S2B in 34S2.

Accordingly, each of the plurality of incidence control elements 234S has a rear end portion 234Sa that is rounder than in the above embodiment and has a cross-sectional shape close to a pin angle.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the reflected light B that has reached the outer peripheral region 234S2B of the second reflecting surface 234S2 as substantially parallel light is totally reflected by the outer peripheral region 234S2B as in the above embodiment, and then It becomes substantially parallel light in a direction slightly inclined toward the inner peripheral side with respect to the front direction of the lamp.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, the direct light A that reaches the second incident surface 234S1 as light that spreads slightly more than the parallel light spreads from the second incident surface 234S1 as light that spreads slightly more than the parallel light. Approximately parallel light that reaches the inner peripheral side area 234S2A and the outer peripheral side area 234S2B of the second reflecting surface 234S2, is totally reflected by the second reflecting surface 234S2, and travels in a direction greatly inclined to the outer peripheral side with respect to the front direction of the lamp. becomes. In addition, the direct light A reaching the rear end portion 234Sa of the incidence control element 234S enters from the second incident surface 234S1, is once converged, and then spreads as diffused light toward the inner peripheral side area 234S2A and the outer peripheral side of the second reflecting surface 234S2. After reaching the region 234S2B and being totally reflected by the two reflecting surfaces 234S2, it becomes diffused light traveling in a direction greatly inclined toward the outer periphery with respect to the front direction of the lamp.

As shown in FIG. 8(c), the total reflected light from the entire second reflecting surface 234S2 is diffused light with a relatively small spread from the outer peripheral side region 234S2B, which originates from the reflected light B traveling in a direction close to the front direction of the lamp. The light is mixed with the light derived from the direct light A that travels in a direction greatly inclined to the outer peripheral side with respect to the front direction of the lamp as substantially parallel light and diffused light from the inner peripheral side area 234S2A and the outer peripheral side area 234S2B. .

At this time, the light derived from the reflected light B is totally reflected toward the front of the lamp as light brighter than the light derived from the direct light A.

Even when the configuration of this modified example is employed, substantially the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

In addition, in this modified example, the bright light originating from the reflected light B makes the peripheral region 34 appear to shine with a certain degree of brightness, and then the light originating from the direct light A greatly tilts from the front direction of the lamp. The peripheral region 34 can also be made to appear shiny from any direction.

It should be noted that the numerical values shown as specifications in the above-described embodiment and its modification are merely examples, and it goes without saying that these values may be set to different values as appropriate.

Moreover, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments and modifications thereof, and configurations with various other modifications can be employed.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Vehicle lamp 12 Lamp body 14 Translucent cover 20 Light source unit 22 Light emitting element (light source)
22a light emitting surface 24 substrate 26 plug 26a heat radiation fin 28 packing 30, 130, 230 light guide 32 central region 32a first incidence surface 32A transmission control section 32Aa first emission surface 32B reflection control section 32Ba first reflection surface 34, 134, 234 Peripheral area 34E1, 34E2 Output control element 34S, 134S, 234S Incidence control element 34Sa, 134Sa, 234Sa Rear end 34S1, 134S1, 234S1 Second incidence surface 34S2, 134S2, 234S2 Second reflection surface 34S2A, 134S2A, 234S2 A inner circumference Side area 34S2B, 134S2B, 234S2B Outer peripheral area 36 Outer peripheral wall 40 Holder panel 40a Light source support hole 50 Extension panel 50a Opening A Direct light Ax Reference axis B Reflected light

Claims (5)

A vehicle lamp configured to emit light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a light guide,
The light guide has a central area located in front of the lamp of the light source and a peripheral area located around the central area,
The central region includes a first incident surface for receiving direct light from the light source, and a first reflecting surface for totally reflecting the light from the light source incident from the first incident surface toward the peripheral region. and
A plurality of incident control elements for controlling the incidence of direct light from the light source are formed on the rear surface of the peripheral region in a state of being aligned from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the peripheral region,
Each of the plurality of incident control elements has a second incident surface for receiving direct light from the light source, and a second reflection surface for totally reflecting the light from the light source incident from the second incident surface toward the front of the lamp. has a surface and
The vehicular lamp, wherein each of the plurality of incidence control elements is arranged at a position where light from the light source totally reflected by the first reflecting surface can enter the second reflecting surface. The second reflecting surface is formed of an inclined surface that is slanted toward the outer circumference toward the front of the lamp, and that the outer circumference side area is formed with a larger inclination angle than the inner circumference side area. 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1. 3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of incident control elements are arranged in a state of being gradually displaced toward the front side of the lamp from the inner peripheral side toward the outer peripheral side of the peripheral region. lamp. A plurality of emission control elements for controlling the emission of the light from the light source that is totally reflected by the second reflecting surfaces of the plurality of incidence control elements are provided on the front surface of the peripheral area from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the peripheral area. It is formed in a state of being lined up towards
Out of the plurality of emission control elements, at least the emission control elements positioned at the outer peripheral edge of the peripheral region deflect and emit the light from the light source, which has been totally reflected by the second reflecting surface, toward the central region. 4. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The vehicular lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light source is composed of a light-emitting element arranged with a light-emitting surface facing forward of the lamp.

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