JP5457780B2 - Vehicle lamp - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp. Specifically, the emission direction is controlled by using a light guide having a first emission surface that emits light in the horizontal direction and a plurality of second emission surfaces that emit light in the horizontal direction and above the horizontal direction. The present invention relates to a technical field for improving safety.

  Some vehicle lamps include, for example, a lamp unit having a light source disposed inside a lamp outer casing constituted by a cover and a lamp housing. As the lamp unit, for example, there are various types such as a head lamp that irradiates a road surface in a traveling direction during traveling and a clearance lamp that functions as a vehicle width lamp.

  The lamp unit provided in such a vehicular lamp uses, for example, a light guide that functions as a clearance lamp and guides light emitted from the light source to the outside in a predetermined direction. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In the lamp unit of the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1, light emitted from the light source and incident on the light guide is transmitted or internally reflected so as to be substantially forward from the first light exit surface of the light guide. At the same time, the light is emitted substantially upward from the second emission surface.

JP 2006-236588 A

  However, in the lamp unit of the vehicular lamp described in Patent Document 1, the light emitted from the light source is emitted substantially forward from the first emission surface, and at the same time, substantially upward from the second emission surface. Since the light is emitted, when a pedestrian or the like views the lamp unit from the front side, only light emitted substantially forward can be visually recognized.

  Therefore, when viewed from the front side, only the light emitted from the first emission surface can be seen, and the light emitted from the second emission surface cannot be seen. The emitted light emitting area is small, the visibility is low for pedestrians, and the safety is lowered.

  Further, when a pedestrian or the like views the lamp unit from the upper side, it is possible to visually recognize the light emitted from the second emission surface substantially upward, but the light emitted substantially upward is Inside the light guide, the light is dispersed and emitted over the entire second emission surface.

  Therefore, the amount of emitted light per unit area on the second exit surface is small, and the visibility is low for pedestrians and the like, resulting in a decrease in safety.

  Accordingly, an object of the vehicular lamp of the present invention is to improve safety.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a vehicular lamp has a first lamp unit and a first lamp unit in a lamp outer casing formed by a lamp housing opened on one side and a cover that closes the opening of the lamp housing. A second lamp unit positioned below the first lamp unit, the second lamp unit emitting a light in a predetermined direction, a second light source, and the second light source. A first incident surface on which light emitted from one light source is incident, a second incident surface on which light emitted from the second light source is incident, and light incident from the first incident surface A light guide having a first emission surface that emits light in the horizontal direction and a plurality of second emission surfaces that emit light incident from the second incidence surface in the horizontal direction and above the horizontal direction, respectively. wherein the light guide body substantially plate shape facing the up and down direction Is formed, the plurality of second output surface is spaced apart in the horizontal direction at the position of the rear side of the said first exit surface with than the first emission surface are formed at different positions in the vertical direction above the position It is formed at the position.

  Therefore, in the vehicular lamp, light is emitted in the horizontal direction from the first emission surface and the plurality of second emission surfaces, and the horizontal direction and the horizontal direction upward from the plurality of second emission surfaces, respectively. Light is emitted.

The vehicular lamp according to the present invention includes a first lamp unit and a lower part of the first lamp unit inside a lamp outer casing formed by a lamp housing opened on one side and a cover closing the opening of the lamp housing. A second lamp unit located in the vehicle, wherein the second lamp unit emits light in a predetermined direction, the second light source, and the second lamp unit . A first incident surface on which light emitted from one light source is incident, a second incident surface on which light emitted from the second light source is incident, and light incident from the first incident surface A light guide having a first emission surface that emits light in the horizontal direction and a plurality of second emission surfaces that emit light incident from the second incidence surface in the horizontal direction and above the horizontal direction, respectively. wherein the light guide is shaped in a substantially plate shape facing the up and down direction Is, the plurality of second exit surface position spaced apart in the horizontal direction at the position of the rear side of the said first exit surface with than the first emission surface are formed at different positions in the vertical direction above the position It is characterized by being formed.

  Accordingly, when viewed in the horizontal direction, it is possible to visually recognize the light emitted from the first emission surface and the second emission surface in the horizontal direction, and the first emission surface and the second emission surface. A wide light emitting area is ensured by both, the visibility is high, and safety can be improved.

Further, in the present invention , a first light source and a second light source are provided as the light source, and the first incident on which the light emitted from the first light source is incident as the incident surface of the light guide. A first incident surface on which light emitted from the second light source is incident, and the light incident on the light guide from the first incident surface is internally reflected to form the first incident surface. It is possible to form a first reflecting surface that leads to the light exit surface and a second reflective surface that internally reflects light incident from the second light entrance surface and guides the light to the plurality of second light exit surfaces, respectively. It is.

Therefore, it is possible to efficiently guide light to a necessary position even with a small number of light sources, and it is possible to improve the light utilization efficiency .

Moreover, in this invention , it is possible to arrange | position the said light guide so that a 1st output surface may be located along the inner surface of the said cover .

Therefore, the light emitted from the first light source can be emitted in a band shape along the shape of the cover, and the visibility can be further improved .

In the present invention , the first lamp unit can be a headlamp that functions as a headlamp, and the second lamp unit can be a clearance lamp that functions as a vehicle width lamp .

Therefore, both can be arranged so as not to interfere with the light distribution of the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit .

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In the following embodiment, a vehicular lamp is shown as an example in which two lamp units, a head lamp that functions as a headlamp and a clearance lamp that functions as a vehicle width lamp, are arranged. The lamp unit is not limited to the head lamp and the clearance lamp, and may be another lamp unit such as a turn signal lamp or a daytime running lamp.

  For example, the vehicular lamp 1 is attached to the left and right ends of the front end of the vehicle body.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicular lamp 1 includes a lamp housing 2 having a concave portion opened forward, and a transparent cover 3 that closes the opening surface of the lamp housing 2. The lamp housing 2 and the cover 3 constitute a lamp outer casing 4, and an inner space of the lamp outer casing 4 is formed as a lamp chamber 5.

  A mounting hole 2 a penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed at the rear end of the lamp housing 2. A back cover 6 that closes the mounting hole 2 a is attached to the rear end of the lamp housing 2.

  In the lamp chamber 5, a first lamp unit 7 and a second lamp unit 8 are disposed, for example, spaced apart from each other (see FIGS. 1 to 3). As the first lamp unit 7, for example, a headlamp that functions as a headlamp is provided, and as the second lamp unit 8, for example, a clearance lamp that functions as a vehicle width lamp is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first lamp unit 7 includes a lens holder 9, a projection lens 10 attached to the front end of the lens holder 9, a reflector 11 disposed behind the lens holder 9, a lens holder 9, and An attachment plate 12 to which the reflector 11 is attached and a headlamp light source 13 attached to the rear end of the reflector 11 are provided.

  The first lamp unit 7 is supported by the lamp housing 2 via an optical axis adjusting mechanism (not shown). Accordingly, by operating the optical axis adjustment mechanism, the first lamp unit 7 is moved vertically or horizontally with respect to the lamp housing 2 to adjust the optical axis of the light emitted from the headlamp light source 13 (aiming adjustment). (Or leveling adjustment).

  Further, the first lamp unit 7 may be rotatable in a horizontal direction by a so-called swivel mechanism that causes the light emitted from the headlamp light source 13 to follow the traveling direction of the vehicle.

  The reflector 11 has an inner surface formed as a reflecting surface 11a and a rear end portion provided as a substantially cylindrical mounting portion 11b.

  The mounting plate 12 has a light transmission hole 12a formed on the upper side thereof, and a portion below the light transmission hole 12a is provided as a shade portion 12b. A rear end portion of the lens holder 9 and a front end portion of the reflector 11 are attached to the attachment plate 12 from the front and rear.

  The headlamp light source 13 is, for example, a discharge lamp, and emits light from a light emitting unit 15 provided inside the outer tube 14. The outer tube 14 is held by a base part 16 disposed behind the outer pipe 14, and the base part 16 is attached to an attachment part 11 b provided at the rear end part of the reflector 11.

  The headlamp light source 13 is not limited to a discharge lamp, and may be another type of light source such as a light emitting diode (LED) or a halogen lamp.

  The lamp chamber 5 is provided with a lighting device (not shown) at its lower end. When a driving voltage is applied to the headlamp light source 13 from the driving circuit of the lighting device, light is emitted from the light emitting unit 15. The light emitted from the light emitting unit 15 travels forward or is reflected by the reflecting surface 11a of the reflector 11, and is projected forward by the projection lens 10 as illumination light.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the second lamp unit 8 is arranged so as to cover the arrangement base 17, the first light source unit 18 arranged on the arrangement base 17, the second light source unit 19, and the arrangement base 17. And a light guide 21 attached to the mounting base 20.

  The arrangement base 17 is formed by integrally forming an arrangement surface portion 22 facing in the vertical direction and a peripheral surface portion 23 protruding downward from the outer peripheral portion of the arrangement surface portion 22. The placement surface portion 22 is formed with placement recesses 22 a and 22 b opened upward, the placement recess 22 a is positioned near the rear end of the placement surface portion 22, and the placement recess 22 b is located at a substantially central portion of the placement surface portion 22. Is located.

  The first light source unit 18 and the second light source unit 19 are arranged and attached to the arrangement recesses 22a and 22b of the arrangement base 17, respectively. The first light source unit 18 is formed by mounting a first light source 18b on a circuit board 18a, and the second light source unit 19 is formed by mounting a second light source 19b on a circuit board 19a. The first light source unit 18 and the second light source unit 19 are attached by inserting circuit boards 18a and 19a into the arrangement recesses 22a and 22b, respectively.

  For example, a light emitting diode (LED) is used as each of the first light source 18b and the second light source 19b.

  On the upper side of the arrangement surface portion 22 of the arrangement base 17, a light shielding plate 24 facing the vertical direction is arranged. Transmission holes 24 a and 24 a are formed in the light shielding plate 24 so as to be separated from each other in the front-rear direction. The light shielding plate 24 is arranged on the upper side of the arrangement base 17 so that the transmission holes 24a and 24a are located immediately above the first light source 18b and the second light source 18b, respectively.

  The mounting base 20 is formed by integrally forming a mounting surface portion 25 facing in the vertical direction and a flange portion 26 that protrudes substantially downward from the outer peripheral portion of the mounting surface portion 25. A large arrangement hole 25 a is formed in the mounting surface portion 25. A portion excluding the rear end portion of the light shielding plate 24 is arranged in the arrangement hole 25a of the mounting surface portion 25.

  The light guide 21 is attached to the attachment surface portion 25 of the attachment base 20. The light guide 21 is formed in a substantially plate shape that faces substantially in the vertical direction, and is attached to the attachment surface portion 25 so as to cover the arrangement hole 25a of the attachment base 20 from above.

  The light guide 21 is formed with conical protrusions that protrude downward at the rear end portion and the substantially central portion, respectively, and the outer surface (lower surface) of the conical protrusion provided at the rear end portion is the first incident. The outer surface (lower surface) of the conical protrusion provided at the substantially central portion is formed as the second incident surface 28.

  An inclined surface that is displaced upward as it goes forward is formed immediately above the first incident surface 27 of the light guide 21, and this inclined surface is formed as the first reflecting surface 29.

  A conical recess convex downward is formed immediately above the second incident surface 28 of the light guide 21, and the surface forming the recess is formed as the second reflecting surface 30.

  A continuous portion of the outer peripheral surface of the light guide 21 facing from the front to the side (outward) is formed as a first emission surface 31. The first emission surface 31 is located along the inner surface of the cover 3. A plurality of continuous predetermined steps are formed on the first emission surface 31.

  A plurality of annular step surfaces having different sizes with respect to the central portion are formed on the upper surface of the light guide 21, and the plurality of step surfaces are formed as second emission surfaces 32, 32, 32 ( 2 to 4). The second emission surfaces 32, 32, and 32 are formed so as to face obliquely upward in the front, and the surface is subjected to texturing or a plurality of continuous predetermined steps are formed. The second emission surfaces 32, 32, 32 are formed at different positions in the vertical direction at positions above the first emission surface 31, and are located on the back side of the first emission surface 31.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the second emission surfaces 32, 32, 32 are, for example, the height of the lower edge 32 a of the second emission surface 32 existing at the lowest position is the upper edge of the first emission surface 31. The height of the upper edge 32c of the second emission surface 32 that is the same as the height of 31a and that exists at the lowest height of the lower edge 32b of the second emission surface 32 that exists at the second height position. The height of the lower edge 32d of the second emission surface 32 existing at the highest position is equal to the height of the upper edge 32e of the second emission surface 32 existing at the height of the second surface. Have been matched.

  A shielding plate 33 is attached to the upper surface of the light guide 21 on the inner side of the second emission surface 32 present at the highest position.

  In the second lamp unit 8 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 5, when light is emitted upward from the first light source 18b, the emitted light is converted into the first incident surface 27. Then, the light is incident on the light guide 21, is internally reflected by the first reflection surface 29, travels in the horizontal direction, and is emitted forward from the first emission surface 31.

  In addition, when light is emitted upward from the second light source 19b, the emitted light is incident on the light guide 21 from the second incident surface 28 and is internally reflected by the second reflecting surface 30 to be horizontal. The light travels in the direction and exits from the second exit surfaces 32, 32 and 32, respectively. Light emitted from the second emission surfaces 32, 32, and 32 is diffused and travels forward and obliquely upward. At this time, the light emitted from the second light source 19b is reflected by the second reflecting surface 30 so that almost all the light is condensed on the second emitting surfaces 32, 32, 32. Light with high brightness is emitted locally from the emission surfaces 32, 32, 32.

  When a pedestrian or the like looks at the second lamp unit 8 from the front side, the forward light emitted from the first emission surface 31 and the forward light emitted from the second emission surfaces 32, 32, 32 respectively. Both lights of the light which heads can be visually recognized. Therefore, a wide light emitting area is ensured by both the first emission surface 31 and the second emission surfaces 32, 32, and 32, so that visibility is high for pedestrians and the like, and safety can be improved.

  Further, when a pedestrian or the like views the second lamp unit 8 from the upper side, it is possible to visually recognize light with high brightness that goes diagonally upward from the second emission surfaces 32, 32, and 32. Therefore, visibility is high for pedestrians and the like, and safety can be improved.

  Furthermore, since the 2nd output surfaces 32, 32, and 32 are spaced apart in the horizontal direction, the 2nd lamp unit 8 can be recognized as a structure with a feeling of depth.

  Furthermore, a first reflecting surface 29 and a second reflecting surface 30 are formed on the second lamp unit 8, and the light is internally reflected inside the light guide 21, thereby the first emitting surface 31 or the second emitting surface. The light is emitted from the surfaces 32, 32, 32. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently guide light to a required position even with a small number of light sources, and it is possible to improve the light utilization efficiency.

  In addition, the light emitted from the first light source 18b and the second light source 19b is reflected by the first reflection surface 29 and the second reflection surface 30, respectively, and travels in the horizontal direction, and the first emission surface 31 and The light is emitted from the second emission surfaces 32, 32, 32. Accordingly, the thickness of the light guide 21 can be reduced, and the light guide 21 and the second lamp unit 8 including the light guide 21 can be reduced in size.

  In addition, although the example which formed each 2nd output surface 32, 32, 32 in the above was shown above, the shape of the 2nd output surface 32, 32, 32 is not restricted to an annular shape, for example, Further, it may be formed in a curved shape or an arc shape that forms a part of an annular shape.

  By forming the second emission surfaces 32, 32, and 32 into a shape that is annular or part of an annular shape, the light emitted from the second light source 19b can be emitted in a desired direction over a wide range. Therefore, it is possible to improve the light use efficiency.

  In addition, as described above, the light guide 21 is formed so that the first emission surface 31 is positioned along the inner surface of the cover 3, whereby the light emitted from the first light source 18 b is shaped into the shape of the cover 3. It can be made to emit in the shape of a belt along the line, and the visibility of pedestrians and the like can be further improved.

  Further, in the vehicular lamp 1, a headlamp is provided as the first lamp unit 7, and a clearance lamp is provided as the second lamp unit 8. By performing such a combination, the first lamp unit is provided. 7 and the second lamp unit 8 can be arranged so as not to obstruct the light distribution. Moreover, the space utilization factor of the lamp chamber 5 can be improved by combining both.

  Below, the modification of a light guide is demonstrated (refer FIG.6 and FIG.7). Unlike the light guide 21, the light guide 21A according to the first modification and the light guide 21B according to the second modification shown below are configured by combining two members. The basic configuration is the same as that of the light guide 21. Accordingly, in the following description, only differences from the light guide 21 will be described in detail, and the same parts as those of the light guide 21 will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those attached to the light guide 21 and detailed description will be omitted. To do.

  In the light guide 21 </ b> A, the first light guide member 34 and the second light guide member 35 are coupled in the vertical direction, and the first light guide member 34 is positioned below the second light guide member 35. (See FIG. 6).

  The first light guide member 34 is formed with a first incident surface 27, a second incident surface 28, a first reflecting surface 29, and a first emitting surface 31.

  The second light guide member 35 is provided with a second reflection surface 30 and second emission surfaces 32, 32, 32.

  In the light guide 21 </ b> B, the first light guide member 36 and the second light guide member 37 are coupled in the vertical direction, and the first light guide member 36 is positioned below the second light guide member 37. (See FIG. 7). The length of the first light guide member 36 in the front-rear direction is approximately half the length of the second light guide member 37 in the front-rear direction, and is coupled to the front end portion of the second light guide member 37. .

  The first light guide member 36 is formed with a first incident surface 27, a first reflection surface 29, and a first emission surface 31.

  The second light guide member 37 is formed with a second incident surface 28, a second reflective surface 30, and second emission surfaces 32, 32, 32.

  Since the first incident surface 27 is positioned in front of the second incident surface 28, the first light source 18b is correspondingly positioned in front of the second light source 19b.

  As described above, the two members are combined to form the light guide 21A and the light guide 21B, so that the respective thicknesses of the two members are compared with the case where the entire light guide is integrally formed. As a result, the molding time can be shortened.

  In the light guide 21B, the length of the first light guide member 36 in the front-rear direction is substantially half of the length of the second light guide member 37 in the front-rear direction. The light guide member 36 can be formed using a small amount of material, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In addition, although the example which formed the three 2nd output surfaces 32 was shown above, the number of the 2nd output surfaces 32 is not restricted to three, As long as it is plurality, it is arbitrary.

  The shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the best mode for carrying out the invention described above are merely examples of the embodiments performed in practicing the present invention. The range should not be interpreted in a limited way.

FIG. 2 to FIG. 7 show the best mode of the present invention, and this figure is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a vehicular lamp. It is a perspective view which shows a 1st lamp unit and a 2nd lamp unit. It is a front view which shows a 1st lamp unit and a 2nd lamp unit. It is sectional drawing which shows a 2nd lamp unit. It is a figure which shows the optical path in a 2nd lamp unit. It is sectional drawing which shows the light guide which concerns on a 1st modification. It is sectional drawing which shows the light guide which concerns on a 2nd modification.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle lamp, 2 ... Lamp housing, 3 ... Cover, 4 ... Lamp outer casing, 7 ... 1st lamp unit, 8 ... 2nd lamp unit, 18b ... 1st light source, 19b ... 2nd light source , 21 ... light guide, 21A ... light guide, 27 ... first incident surface, 28 ... second incident surface 29 ... first reflecting surface, 30 ... second reflecting surface, 31 ... first Emission surface, 32 ... second emission surface , 33 ... shielding plate, 34 ... first light guide member, 35 ... second light guide member, 36 ... first light guide member, 37 ... second light guide Element

Claims (6)

A first lamp unit and a second lamp unit located below the first lamp unit in a lamp outer casing formed by a lamp housing opened on one side and a cover closing the opening of the lamp housing Is a vehicular lamp in which
The second lamp unit is
A first light source and a second light source that emit light in a predetermined direction;
The first light incident surface on which light emitted from the first light source is incident, the second light incident surface on which light emitted from the second light source is incident, and the light incident from the first light incident surface. A light guide having a first emission surface that emits the emitted light in the horizontal direction and a plurality of second emission surfaces that emit the light incident from the second incidence surface upward in the horizontal direction and the horizontal direction, respectively. With body,
The light guide is formed in a substantially plate shape facing the vertical direction,
The plurality of second emission surfaces are formed at different positions in the vertical direction at positions above the first emission surface and at positions spaced apart in the horizontal direction at positions on the back side of the first emission surface. Was Both the first light source and the second light source face upward,
The light guide includes a first reflecting surface that reflects light incident from the first incident surface and a second reflecting surface that reflects light incident from the second incident surface;
The light reflected by the first reflecting surface travels in the horizontal direction and is guided to the first emitting surface, and the light reflected by the second reflecting surface proceeds in the horizontal direction and emits the second light. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the vehicular lamp is guided to a surface . The vehicular lamp according to claim 2, wherein the light guide is arranged such that the first emission surface is positioned along the inner surface of the cover in the horizontal direction . The light guide is configured by combining a first light guide member and a second light guide member,
The first reflecting surface and the first emitting surface are formed on the first light guide member,
The second reflecting surface and the second emitting surface are formed on the second light guide member.
The vehicular lamp according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the vehicular lamp is provided. A shielding plate is attached directly above the light guide and below the first lamp unit.
The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, or claim 4. The first lamp unit is a headlamp that functions as a headlamp,
The second lamp unit is a clearance lamp that functions as a vehicle width lamp.
The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4, or claim 5.

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