JP3352989B2 - Signal lights for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicular signal light such as a tail lamp and a stop lamp, and more particularly to providing a novel shape of the vehicular signal light and further improving efficiency. It relates to a configuration that can be performed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 10 shows an example of the structure of a conventional vehicle signal lamp 90 of this type when an LED lamp is used as a light source 91. The LED lamp has an irradiation angle of 40 to 60. ° is relatively narrow
In order to shine the entire surface of the lens 92, a plurality of lenses are employed.

The light source 91 is arranged on a printed circuit board 93 in a matrix or the like.
Corresponding to each position provided with a lens cut 92a, a surface of the lens 92 is provided with a lens cut 92a for giving a desired light distribution characteristic as a tail lamp or the like to the light from the light source 91.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional vehicle signal lamp 90, the light source 9 is not provided.
In setting the number 1, as is apparent from the above description, the number is set with priority given to illuminating the entire surface of the lens 92 rather than the brightness required for a tail lamp or the like. Employs an excessive number of
There is a problem that power is consumed more than necessary, that is, efficiency is reduced.

[0005] The lens cut 92a is
1 corresponds to the position where the light source 1 is disposed, and the light source 91 is disposed on the printed circuit board 93.
For example, the arrangement is restricted in a matrix or the like. Therefore, the arrangement of the lens cut 92a is also restricted,
Variations are poor, and the design of the surface of the lens 92 becomes monotonous, resulting in a problem of poor design.

[0006]

According to the present invention, as a specific means for solving the above-mentioned conventional problems, there is provided a light source provided with a main light emitting direction substantially coincident with an irradiation axis of a vehicular signal lamp, and A first parabolic line provided with the light source as the focal point and having a central axis perpendicular to the irradiation axis of the vehicular signal lamp, at least a half of the paraboloid reflection surface obtained by rotating the irradiation axis on the irradiation direction side. A reflection surface, and a 360 ° range where light is emitted from the first reflection surface is divided into appropriate radial sections, and a small reflection surface is disposed for each of the sections while changing the distance from the optical axis, The present invention solves the problem by providing at least one signal light unit for a vehicle, comprising at least one light emitting unit including a second reflecting surface that reflects light from a reflecting surface in a direction parallel to the irradiation axis. is there.

[0007]

Next, the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of a vehicular signal lamp according to the present invention. Also in this embodiment, a light source 2 is an LED lamp having a relatively narrow irradiation angle, In the configuration of the example, description will be given of an example in which more light sources 2 are required than necessary for securing the brightness.

In the present invention as well, the light source 2 has an optical axis X, which is a main light emitting direction, and an irradiation axis Z of the signal light 1 for a vehicle.
However, the front (in the direction of the irradiation axis Z) is covered by the first reflecting surface 3, and the light from the light source 2 is directly transmitted to the vehicle signal light 1.
Is not radiated in the irradiation direction.

In the section of the first reflecting surface 3 which coincides with the optical axis X, a parabola whose focal point is the light source 2 appears, and at this time, the central axis Y of the parabola described above.
Is perpendicular to the optical axis X of the light source 2. That is, it is also orthogonal to the irradiation axis Z of the vehicular signal lamp 1.

The parabola is the optical axis X of the light source 2.
Is rotated around the axis of rotation as a rotation axis to form the parabolic reflection surface 3a (3b). At this time, in the vicinity of the optical axis X, the portion near the vertex of the parabola forms a closed space surrounding the light source 2, so that this portion is excluded and the light from the light source 2 is emitted to the outside. Like that.

The parabolic reflection surface 3a can be appropriately changed in design depending on the characteristics of the light source 2. For example, if the light source 2 emits light only forward, such as an LED lamp, The two parabolic reflecting surfaces 3a and 3b appearing in front and rear of the light source 2 in the irradiation direction of the vehicle signal lamp 1 with respect to the light source 2 due to the rotation of the parabola (see also FIG. 5).
Only the front side 3a need be selected.

When the light source 2 emits light with a uniform intensity over almost the entire circumference, such as an incandescent lamp, only the parabolic reflection surface 3a may be used as described above. If the parabolic reflecting surface 3b appearing in the rear of the irradiation direction is also adopted as the first reflecting surface 3 (see FIG. 5), the luminous flux utilization rate with respect to the light source 2 is improved, and the brighter vehicle signal lamp 1 can be realized. It will be.

By setting the first reflecting surface 3 as described above, the light from the light source 2 is reflected in a direction parallel to the central axis Y of the parabola after being reflected on the parabolic reflecting surface 3a. Become. At this time, since the parabolic reflection surface 3a is rotated around the optical axis X, the reflected light is generated radially around the optical axis X.

In the present invention, in addition to the first reflecting surface 3 described above,
A second reflecting surface 4 is prepared.
Is provided in the optical path of the light reflected by the first reflecting surface 3 and reflects this light in a direction parallel to the irradiation axis Z of the vehicular signal lamp 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the 360 ° range from which light is emitted from the first reflecting surface 3 is divided into appropriate radial sections, and each section is defined by the distance from the optical axis X. The small reflecting surface 4a is arranged by changing the distance, and the small reflecting surface 4a
Is good as the second reflecting surface 4. When the small reflecting surface 4a is adopted, a design change can be given to a light emitting shape such as a star shape by devising a state of arrangement of the small reflecting surface 4a. Furthermore, by making the reflecting surface shape of the small reflecting surface 4a an appropriate curved surface such as a convex surface, a concave surface, or a wave surface, the reflected light can be diffused.

The light source 2 described above and the first reflecting surface 3
And the second reflecting surface 4 constitute a light emitting unit 5,
As shown in FIG. 4, at least one or more of the light-emitting units 5 are assembled (shown in an example in which six light-emitting units 5 are assembled to constitute the vehicle signal lamp 1). The vehicle signal lamp 1 is configured.

Therefore, if the mounting direction of the light emitting unit 5 with respect to the vehicle signal light 1 is known in advance,
By providing the small reflecting surface 4a with a reflecting surface shape that diffuses the reflected light at a wide angle in the horizontal direction and diffuses the reflected light at a not so wide angle in the vertical direction, the reflection from the small reflecting surface 4a can be obtained. The light, as it is, satisfies the light distribution characteristics of the vehicular signal lamp 1 as a tail lamp or the like.

Next, the operation and effect of the vehicle signal lamp 1 of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described. According to the present invention, the light from the light source 2 is once expanded in the horizontal direction with respect to the optical axis X by the first reflection surface 3 and is directed in the irradiation direction by the second reflection surface 4. Can set the light emitting area freely.

This means that the number of light sources 2 arranged in the vehicle signal lamp 1 can be freely set. That is, by optimizing the light emitting area of the light emitting unit 5, the vehicle signal lamp 1 can be provided. And the brightness of the vehicle signal light 1 in the related art can be prevented from being unnecessarily bright and consuming excessive power to emit light on the entire light emitting surface of the vehicular signal lamp 1. In addition, since the shape of light emission of the light emitting unit 5 can be freely set depending on the combination of the small reflecting surfaces 4a, the degree of freedom for the design of the light emitting surface of the vehicular signal lamp 1 is increased.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention as a main part, and the second embodiment mainly relates to the configuration of the second reflecting surface. In the first embodiment, the second reflection surface 4 is basically an opaque member (a transparent member may be used).
Was formed as a mirror surface that totally reflects the light from the first reflection surface by vapor-depositing aluminum on the surface of the light-emitting unit. However, as shown in FIG. It may be formed of a high-refractive-index transparent member having a large refractive index.

At this time, an incident surface 14b facing the light source is located at a position corresponding to the small reflecting surface 14a of the light emitting unit 15.
Are substantially orthogonal to the light from the first reflection surface 3, the emission surface 14c is approximately orthogonal to the irradiation direction, and the back surface 14d is the incidence surface 14b.
It may be formed into a substantially right-angle prism shape set at an angle at which the internal surface is totally reflected by the difference in refractive index from the atmosphere with respect to the light incident from above.

At this time, as described in the first embodiment, the light exit surface 14c can be made to have an appropriate curved surface such as a concave surface, a convex surface, or a wave surface, so that the light can be diffused. Further, in the second embodiment, the small reflection surface 1 is utilized by utilizing the fact that the light emitting unit 15 is formed of a transparent resin member.
It is also possible to form the reflex reflector 6 on the entire surface or a part of the position other than where the 4a is provided.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the second reflection surface 14 (small reflection surface 14a) is formed using a transparent resin member. . Here, when observing this kind of signal light 1 for a vehicle, the light emitting surface of most of them is covered with a lens 7 made of a transparent resin member.

Therefore, in the third embodiment, the incident surface 24 has the same configuration as the small reflecting surface 14a of the second embodiment.
b, a small reflecting surface 24a having a rear surface 24d is provided on the lens 7, but in this case, the exit surface 24c is shared with the surface 7a of the lens 7. The surface 7a may be formed into an appropriate curved surface such as a convex surface, a concave surface, or a wave surface. Further, although not shown, the small reflection surface 24
a reflex reflector 6 at a position other than the position where
(See FIG. 6).

In the third embodiment, a light-emitting unit 5 having a small reflecting surface 4a similar to that described in the first embodiment is installed on the back of the lens 7, and both small reflecting surfaces are provided. Irradiation light as a lamp can be obtained from 4a and 24a.

By doing so, the first reflecting surface 3
Of the reflected light from the lens 7 near the lens 7
The light reflected by the light-emitting unit 5 is reflected on the small reflecting surface 4a.
If the light is reflected by the light source, one of the light sources 2 does not block the other, and the light source 2 can emit light at two overlapping portions in the same section A having a fan shape as shown in FIG. .

FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the vehicular signal lamp 1 of the present invention. In the previous embodiment, when the vehicular signal lamp 1 is constituted by using a plurality of light emitting units 5, each of the light emitting units is used. 5 were arranged so as not to overlap. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be used as a plurality of superposed stages.

In this case, the second reflecting surface 4D of the light emitting unit 5D positioned below and the second reflecting surface 4U of the light emitting unit 5U positioned above may be installed at a position where they do not overlap in the vertical direction. In this case, light from the lower light emitting unit 5D can be directed in the irradiation direction without being blocked. It is to be noted that the above-mentioned superimposition is naturally possible even if there are two or more stages.

The above is the light source 2 of the lower light emitting unit 5D.
D and the light source 2U of the upper light-emitting unit 5U are described as being simultaneously turned on. However, in this embodiment, it is not always necessary to turn on the lights at the same time. For example, a vehicle signal lamp that serves as a tail lamp and a stop lamp In, when using as a tail lamp, only one stage is turned on, and when using as a stop lamp, a plurality of stages are turned on at the same time to switch the brightness.

In this embodiment, for example, the light emitting unit 5 employing the light source 2 emitting red light and the light emitting unit 5 emitting amber light are superimposed on each other, and are turned on or off according to the situation. If the lighting can be freely selected, it can be used as both a tail lamp and a turn signal lamp.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, according to the present invention, a light source provided with a main light emitting direction substantially coincident with an irradiation axis of a vehicle signal lamp, and the vehicle light source having the light source as a focal point and having a central axis positioned at the vehicle signal lamp. The first reflection surface and at least a half of the paraboloid reflection surface obtained by rotating the parabola provided as a direction orthogonal to the irradiation axis of the parabolic reflection surface on the irradiation direction side, light from the first reflection surface The range of 360 ° to be radiated is divided into appropriate radial sections, and a small reflecting surface is arranged for each of the sections by changing the distance from the optical axis, and light from the first reflecting surface is directed in a direction parallel to the irradiation axis. First, the light from the light source is once horizontal with respect to the optical axis by the first reflection surface by the vehicle signal lamp including at least one of the light-emitting units including the second reflection surface that reflects the light. To the irradiation direction by the second reflecting surface. This allows the light emitting unit to freely set the light emitting area, thereby optimizing the number of light sources installed in the signal light for a vehicle, and has an extremely excellent effect on cost reduction and power consumption reduction. Things.

Secondly, it is possible to give the vehicle signal lamp an unprecedented novel appearance by arranging the second reflecting surface and the small reflecting surface and selecting the number of stacking stages. It is also effective in improving the design of the signal light. In addition, switching of brightness, switching of emission color, and the like are also possible, and the effect of improving versatility and the like is also exerted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of a vehicular signal lamp according to the present invention, with a light emitting unit as a main part.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a light emitting unit of the same first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a use state of the same vehicle signal light.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a light emitting unit, which is a main part of the same vehicle signal lamp.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a second embodiment of the vehicular signal lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a third embodiment of the vehicular signal lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the same third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the vehicular signal lamp according to the present invention by using a light emitting unit.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle signal lamp 2 ... Light source 3 ... 1st reflection surface 4, 14, ... 2nd reflection surface 4a, 14a, 24a, 34a ... Small reflection surface 34b ... Opening 5,5D, 5U … Light-emitting unit 6… Reflex reflector 7… Lens

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F21S 8/10 F21W 101: 02 F21Y 101: 02

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A light source provided with a main light emitting direction substantially coincident with an irradiation axis of a vehicle signal lamp, and a light source provided as a focal point and having a central axis perpendicular to the irradiation axis of the vehicle signal light. A first reflecting surface that is at least a half of the parabolic reflecting surface obtained by rotating the parabolic axis about the irradiation axis, on the irradiation direction side, and a 360 ° range in which light is emitted from the first reflecting surface is radial. It is divided into appropriate sections, a small reflecting surface is arranged at a different distance from the optical axis for each section, and a second reflecting surface that reflects light from the first reflecting surface in a direction parallel to the irradiation axis. A signal light for vehicles comprising at least one light emitting unit. 2. The reflection surface according to claim 1, wherein the second reflection surface is a reflection surface using an internal total reflection effect generated at a contact surface of the high refractive index transparent member with the atmosphere, or a reflection surface using a total reflection effect by a mirror surface. The vehicular signal lamp according to claim 1, wherein the vehicular signal lamp is formed as a combination of both reflecting surfaces. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second reflecting surface is formed by combining appropriate curved surfaces, and has a function of diffusing light reflected from the first reflecting surface. Item 4. The vehicle signal light according to item 2. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second reflection surface is provided as a position overlapping one radiation centering on the irradiation axis by changing a position where the second reflection surface is provided.
A vehicle signal lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. A reflex reflector is provided on at least a part of the light emitting unit other than the light emitting unit provided with the second reflection surface. The vehicle signal light according to claim 4. 6. A plurality of light emitting units are provided so as to be coaxial with and overlap with the irradiation axis, and the second semi-emitting surface is provided so as not to interfere between the respective light emitting units. The vehicle signal lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. The vehicular signal lamp according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of light emitting units have different emission colors of the light source.