JPH10188613A - Vehicle marker lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a step-reflector-equipped marker lamp excellent in appearance when it is turned on or off. SOLUTION: A reflecting surface 16a, which comprises a right reflecting area extending in a direction approximately perpendicular to the optical axis Ax of a reflector 16 and a left reflecting area extending to the front of a lamp without being spaced too much from the optical axis Ax, is formed by allotting reflecting-surface elements 16s to a plurality of strip segments divided into vertical strips. The reflecting-surface elements 16s in the left reflecting area comprise curved surfaces whose reference planes are multiple paraboloids whose focal distances get shorter the farther they are from the optical axis Ax, and the reflecting-surface planes 16s are gradually displaced forward as they extend from the optical axis Ax. Thereby a larger upright wall is prevented from being formed inside of the reflecting surface along the cross direction of a vehicle as in conventional cases, so as to make the reflecting-surface elements 16s in the left reflecting area appear twinkling over the entire area.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicular marker lamp in which a plurality of reflecting surface elements are formed on a reflecting surface of a reflector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, so-called step reflectors, in which a plurality of reflecting surface elements are formed on a reflecting surface, are often used in vehicle marker lights.

[0003] In a marker lamp equipped with such a step reflector, the lens can be made to pass through or close to the lens. Therefore, when this is observed from the outside, each of the above-mentioned reflecting surface elements becomes shining through the lens. It looks shining, so that a good looking lamp can be obtained.

[0004]

The reflecting surface of the above-described step reflector is constituted by dividing the reflecting surface into a plurality of segments and allocating a reflecting surface element to each of the segments. Since each of the reflection surface elements is merely formed on a paraboloid of revolution, as shown in FIG. 8, in a lamp having a long depth dimension, large standing walls 8 are formed on both sides of the reflection surface 6a. It will be.

When such a step reflector 6 is observed obliquely from the front of the lamp, when it is lit, the plurality of reflecting surface elements 6 s of the reflecting surface 6 a appear to shine due to the reflection of light from the light source bulb 2. On the other hand, each of the upright walls 8 hardly shines, and when not lit, the plurality of reflecting surface elements 2s appear to shine shiningly due to the reflection of external light on the reflecting surface 2a. Only appears to shine in a plane. As described above, in either case of lighting or non-lighting, the reflecting surface 2a and each of the upright walls 8 are discontinuous in design, giving a sense of incongruity to an observer, and the appearance is not so good.
There is a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in a marker light provided with a step reflector, a vehicle marker light capable of improving the appearance when lit and not lit is provided. It is intended to provide.

[0007]

According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by devising the shape of the reference surface when forming each of the reflective surface elements.

That is, according to the present invention, as described in claim 1, a light source bulb, a reflector having a reflecting surface for reflecting light from the light source bulb forward, and a lens provided in front of the reflector are provided. Wherein the reflecting surface is configured by dividing the reflecting surface into a plurality of segments and assigning a reflecting surface element to each of the segments. The optical axis of the reflector is a common axis, and each of the plurality of paraboloids of revolution having different focal lengths having a fixed point on the optical axis as a common focal point is configured with a curved surface set as a reference surface. The focal length of the paraboloid of revolution is set to a smaller value as the paraboloid of revolution constituting the reference plane of the reflective surface element located farther from the optical axis. .

The specific shape of each "segment" is not particularly limited. For example, a rectangular segment formed by dividing the reflection surface into a lattice shape, and the reflection surface in a stripe shape. A strip-shaped segment formed by sectioning, a loop-shaped segment formed by concentrically dividing the reflection surface, or the like can be adopted. Also, the width of each “segment” is not particularly limited, and can be set arbitrarily, such as a constant pitch, a gradually changing pitch, and a random pitch. For example, as a specific example in the case of a gradually changing pitch, as described in claim 4, the width of each segment in a lamp front view is set so as to be narrower as the segment is farther from the optical axis. A different configuration can be adopted.

The specific shape of each of the "reflective surface elements" is not particularly limited as long as it is a curved surface set with each of the plurality of paraboloids of revolution as a reference surface. Absent.

[0011]

As described above, in the present invention, the reflecting surface of the reflector is constituted by dividing the reflecting surface into a plurality of segments and allocating a reflecting surface element to each of the segments. However, each of the reflecting surface elements has a plurality of rotating paraboloids (hereinafter, referred to as “multiple paraboloids”) having different focal lengths with the optical axis of the reflector as a common axis and a fixed point on the optical axis as a common focal point. ) Is set as a reference surface, and the focal length of each paraboloid of revolution constitutes a reference surface of a reflective surface element located far from the optical axis. Since the value is set smaller for the paraboloid of revolution, the following operation and effect can be obtained.

That is, as described above, in a lamp having a long depth dimension, large standing walls are usually formed on both sides of the reflecting surface of the reflector. However, in the present invention, the reference surface of each of the reflecting surface elements is changed. Since the focal length of the constituting paraboloid of revolution is set to a smaller value as the position is farther from the optical axis, each of the reflecting surface elements is gradually displaced forward as the distance from the optical axis increases. As a result, it is possible to obtain a reflector in which a large standing wall is not formed on both sides of the reflection surface.

In the present invention, however, a step is formed at the optical axis side end of each of the reflecting surface elements. However, the entire reflecting surface is a general part of each of the reflecting surface elements. And the step portion will be formed alternately, so when observing the reflector obliquely from the front of the lamp, when lit, by reflection of light from the light source bulb,
In addition, at the time of non-lighting, due to the reflection of the external light, the respective reflecting surface elements appear to shine over the entire reflecting surface.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the appearance of the marker lamp provided with the step reflector when it is lit and when it is not lit.

In the present invention, a multi-parabolic surface (hereinafter, referred to as a “focal length decreasing type”) whose focal length is set to a smaller value as the paraboloid of revolution constituting the reference surface of the reflecting element located farther from the optical axis is set. Although a "multiple paraboloid" is applied to the reflecting surface, the multifocal paraboloid with reduced focal length may be applied to the entire reflecting surface. Alternatively, the multi-parabolic surface with reduced focal length may be applied to only a part of the reflecting surface.

As a specific example of the latter, the configuration described in claim 2 can be adopted.

That is, in the configuration according to the second aspect, the present invention is directed to a marker lamp provided with a lens inclined in the left-right direction so that the outer end side in the vehicle width direction is retracted. The above-described multiple paraboloid with reduced focal length is applied to an area on the inner side of the optical axis in the vehicle width direction (hereinafter, referred to as an “inner-side reflection area”), and the reflection surface has a position smaller than the optical axis. In the region on the outer side in the width direction (hereinafter, referred to as “outer-side reflection region”), the focal length becomes larger as the paraboloid of revolution constituting the reference surface of the reflection surface element at a position farther from the optical axis. The set multiple paraboloid (hereinafter, referred to as “multiple paraboloid with increased focal length”) is applied.

By employing such a configuration, the following operation and effect can be obtained.

That is, in a sign lamp provided with a lens inclined in the left-right direction so that the outer end side in the vehicle width direction is retracted, a portion of the reflector located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the optical axis has a depth dimension. Is long, and the portion on the inner side in the vehicle width direction has a reflecting surface shape with a short depth dimension. For this reason,
A large standing wall is formed at the end of the reflecting surface of the reflector on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In such a sign lamp, the inside of the lamp can be clearly seen from obliquely forward of the lamp on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Becomes remarkable.

On the other hand, in the configuration according to the second aspect, since the multifocal paraboloid with the reduced focal length is applied to the inward reflection area, the reflection area is extended over the entire area. Each of the reflecting surface elements can be made to look glittering. Moreover, since the above-mentioned multi-parabolic surface with an increased focal length is applied to the outer reflection region, the reflection surface can be opened over a wide range with respect to the lens. A large light emitting area can be secured. And
Thereby, the appearance of the lamp can be improved.

In the configuration according to the second aspect, a multi-parabolic surface with an increased focal length is applied to the outer side reflection area, but in each of the reflection surface elements constituting such a reflection area, At the end on the optical axis side, a step is formed in which the side away from the optical axis retreats. For this reason, at the time of lighting, in general, the light from the light source bulb is shaded by the stepped portion, and a shadow portion that looks dark without being incident is formed in each of the reflective surface elements.

On the other hand, since a multifocal paraboloid with a reduced focal length is applied to the inward reflecting area, the end of the reflecting surface element constituting the reflecting area on the optical axis side is provided with: Steps projecting from the side away from the optical axis are formed. However, at the time of lighting, each of these steps becomes a dark portion without lighting when viewed from the front of the lamp.

Therefore, as described in claim 3, each step formed in the inner reflection area has a predetermined width in a lamp front view, so that the outer reflection area is formed. In the above, if a dark portion corresponding to a shadow portion formed by each step portion is also formed in the inward reflection region, it is possible to balance the appearance of the two reflection regions, thereby The appearance of the lamp can be improved.

In the present invention, the above "each segment"
As described above, the specific shape of the segment is not particularly limited. However, as described in claim 5, each of the segments is constituted by a strip-shaped segment extending substantially parallel to each other, and If the lens is configured such that a plurality of band-shaped lens steps extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the respective segments extend are formed, the reflected light from the reflecting surface elements allocated to the respective band-shaped segments is reflected by the respective lenses. Since the light can be deflected or diffused by the steps, the lamp can be illuminated with a more glittering feeling.

Although it has already been described that the specific shape of each "reflective surface element" is not particularly limited, as described in claim 6, each of the reflective surface elements is If it is configured to include a diffuse reflection surface element that diffusely reflects light from the light source bulb, it is possible to enhance the glittering feeling by itself, and all or a part of the diffusion function to be borne by the lens is provided to the reflector. Since the burden can be imposed, the lens can be made transparent or close to it, and the glitter can be further enhanced.

[0026]

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

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle marker light according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines -II and III-III.

As shown in these figures, a marker lamp (lamp) 10 according to the present embodiment is a turn signal lamp provided at a rear right end portion of a vehicle body, and has a filament 12a extending vertically. The bulb 12 and the light source bulb 12 are supported via a socket 14, and the light from the light source bulb 12 is diffused in the left-right direction toward the front (front as a lamp and rear as a vehicle body, and so on). It comprises a reflector 16 having a reflecting surface 16a to reflect light, and a lens 18 disposed in front of the reflector 16 and fixed to the reflector 16, and has a rectangular outer shape long in the left-right direction.

As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, on both sides of the marker light 10, vehicle body panels 102 and 104 extend substantially flush with the lens 18.

The light source bulb 12 is configured such that its optical axis Ax 'is slightly inclined outward with respect to the optical axis Ax of the reflector 16 in the vehicle width direction, and its filament 12a is positioned on the optical axis Ax. , And is inserted into the reflector 16.

An area (right-side reflection area) on the right side of the optical axis Ax on the reflection surface 16a of the reflector 16 is:
Although extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis Ax, a region (left reflection region) on the left side of the optical axis Ax on the reflection surface 16a is directed forward of the lamp without being far from the optical axis Ax. Extending. Thus, the marker lamp 10 can be disposed in the corner space at the rear end on the right side of the vehicle body.

The lens 18 has a surface shape that is greatly inclined in the left-right direction so that the right end side is retracted, and a plurality of lens steps 18s are formed on the inner surface. Each of the lens steps 18s is formed of a convex cylindrical lens step extending in the left-right direction, and is formed so that the vertical pitch gradually decreases as the distance from the optical axis Ax in the vertical direction increases. And
By these lens steps 18s, the reflection surface 16a
Is transmitted while diffusing the reflected light from the vertical direction.

FIG. 4 shows the sign lamp 10 and its lens 18
It is a front view which removes and shows.

As shown in the figure, the reflector 16 has a plurality of reflecting surface elements 16 over its entire reflecting surface 16a.
s is formed. Each of these reflection surface elements 16s
Are allocated to each of the plurality of strip-shaped segments SG divided into vertical stripes.

The left-right width of each of the strip-shaped segments SG when viewed from the front of the lamp is determined by the optical axis A
Both the left and right sides of x are set so as to gradually become narrower as the distance from the optical axis Ax increases. Each of the reflection surface elements 16s allocated to each of the strip-shaped segments SG is formed as a right and left diffuse reflection surface element having a so-called multiple paraboloid as a reference surface.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, which is a detailed sectional view taken along the line VV in FIG. 4, each of the reflecting surface elements 16s has the optical axis Ax as a common axis and the optical axis Ax and the light source bulb 12 It is constituted by a curved surface set with each of a plurality of paraboloids of revolution having different focal lengths having the intersection point with the optical axis Ax '(i.e., the position of the filament 12a) as a common focal point. This curved surface is a concave cylindrical curved surface extending in the up-down direction, and has a larger curvature than the reference surface.

In the reflection area on the right side of the reflection surface 16a, the focal lengths f1, f of the respective paraboloids of revolution P1, P2,.
Are set to gradually increase as the distance from the optical axis Ax increases, while in the left reflection area of the reflection surface 16a, each of the rotation paraboloids P
1 ′, P2 ′,... Focal lengths f1 ′, f2 ′,.
Is set to gradually decrease as the distance from the optical axis Ax increases.

Thus, the reflection surface 16a is constituted by a right reflection region extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis Ax and a left reflection region extending forward of the lamp without being far from the optical axis Ax. At the same time, the light from the light source bulb 12 is diffusely reflected in the left-right direction by the respective reflection surface elements 16s.

In each of the reflective surface elements 16s formed with the multiple paraboloid as a reference surface, a step 20 is formed at the end on the optical axis Ax side.
However, since the setting method of the reference plane is reversed between the right reflection area and the left reflection area, in the right reflection area, the side away from the optical axis Ax is formed as a stepped portion that recedes. On the other hand, in the left reflection region, a step portion protruding on the side away from the optical axis Ax is formed.

The height of each step 20 is set so as to be lower in the right reflection area as the step is farther from the optical axis Ax, and in the left reflection area. The step is set to be higher as the step is farther from the axis Ax. Adjustment of the height of these stepped portions 20 is performed by the respective paraboloids of rotation P1, P2,
, And the focal lengths f1 ′, P2 ′,... Of the respective paraboloids of revolution P1 ′, P2 ′,.
The adjustment is performed by adjusting the values of f2 ',.

The left and right widths of each of the step portions 20 are set so as to be narrower at the position farther from the optical axis Ax in both the right and left reflection areas. However,
When comparing the same i-th step portion from the optical axis Ax, the step portion 20Li in the left reflection region is set to be wider than the step portion 20Ri in the right reflection region. The left and right widths of the steps 20 are adjusted by adjusting the inclination angles of the steps 20.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how the reflection surface 16a is viewed from the front of the lamp when the light source bulb 12 is turned on.

Since each of the reflection surface elements 16s has a function of diffusing left and right, as shown in the drawing, each of the reflection surface elements 16s is substantially centered in the horizontal direction by the light reflected from the reflection surface element 16s. The portion appears to shine as a vertical streak bright portion Bro. Since the left-right distance between these luminous portions Bro is set so that the left-right width of each of the strip-shaped segments SG gradually decreases as the distance from the optical axis Ax decreases, the horizontal distance gradually decreases as the distance from the optical axis Ax increases. .
Further, each of the reflective surface elements 16 s has a gradually increasing left and right width as the distance from the optical axis Ax increases, but a greater curvature. Therefore, the left and right width of each of the glittering portions Bro varies with the optical axis Ax. The distance gradually decreases as the distance from Ax increases.

In the drawing, a hatched area Do is a part that does not emit light because the light from the light source bulb 12 is not reflected in the optical axis Ax direction in the general portion of each of the reflection surface elements 16s. Further, a region Dso indicated by a mesh line in the right reflection region is a portion where the light from the light source bulb 12 is shaded by the step portion 20 and does not enter,
This is a part of the shadow which looks considerably darker than the above-mentioned area Do which simply does not shine. Further, in the left reflection area, an area Dgo indicated by oblique lines with dots corresponds to each of the reflection surface elements 1.
The 6s step portion 20 is a dark portion that looks darker than the region Do because it is formed of a flat surface that is steeper than the general portion of each of the reflective surface elements 16s.

FIG. 7 shows how the reflecting surface 16a is viewed from the front of the lamp when the light source bulb 12 is turned on in a state where the lens 18 is put on the reflector 16 (that is, the state as the lamp 10). FIG.

Since each of the lens steps 18s has a function of vertically diffusing, each of the reflecting surface elements 16s
The bright portion Bro of s is dispersed in the vertical direction by each of the lens steps 18s, and appears as a bright portion Br1 that shines in a scattered manner as shown in the figure. These brilliant portions Br
The horizontal width and vertical width of 1 are gradually reduced as the distance from the optical axis Ax is increased, and the horizontal and vertical intervals are also gradually reduced as the distance from the optical axis Ax is increased.

As described in detail above, the reflector 16 of the marker lamp 10 according to the present embodiment has a reflection surface 16a having a right-side reflection area extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis Ax.
The left reflection area extends to the front of the lamp without being too far from the optical axis Ax, and the right reflection area has a plurality of reflections each of which is a reference surface with each of the focal length increasing multiple paraboloids. Since the surface element 16s is used, the reflective surface 16a can be opened in a wide range with respect to the lens 18 to secure a large light emitting area. On the other hand, the left reflective region is provided with a focal length decreasing multiple emission type. Since each of the reflecting surface elements 16s is gradually displaced forward as the distance from the optical axis Ax of the reflector 16 increases, each of the reflecting surface elements 16s is arranged as a reference surface. In this manner, a large standing wall is prevented from being formed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the reflecting surface, so that each of the reflecting surface elements 16 s appears to shine in the left reflecting area over the entire area. Rukoto can.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the appearance of the marker lamp provided with the step reflector when it is lit and when it is not lit can be improved.

In particular, in the sign lamp 10 according to the present embodiment, since the inside of the lamp can be clearly seen from the diagonally forward side of the lamp on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, a plurality of reflecting surfaces appearing shining instead of a large standing wall. It is effective to adopt a configuration in which the element 16s is provided.

In the present embodiment, since a multi-parabolic surface with an increased focal length is applied to the right reflection area, it is formed at the end of the reflection surface element 16s on the optical axis Ax side. At the time of lighting, a shadow portion Dso is formed on each of the reflection surface elements 16s by the step portions 20, but each of the step portions 20 formed in the left reflection region to which the reduced focal length multiple paraboloid is applied. Are set to have substantially the same dimensions as the left and right widths of the shadow portions Dso, and the respective step portions 20 are formed as dark portions Dgo during lighting. For this reason, at the time of lighting, the plurality of shadow portions Dso and dark portions Dgo appear in the same vertical stripe pattern on both the left and right sides of the optical axis Ax, thereby balancing the appearance of the right reflection region and the left reflection region. It is possible to improve the appearance of the lamp.

In the present embodiment, each of the reflecting surface elements 16s is formed of a diffusing and reflecting surface element for diffusing and reflecting the light from the light source bulb 12 in the left-right direction. The lens step 18s
It is composed of a convex cylindrical lens step extending in the left-right direction, and transmits the reflected light from the reflecting surface 16a while diffusing it vertically, so that when the lamp is observed, the reflecting surface 16a is finely glittering. Can be seen. In particular, at the time of lighting, as shown in FIG. 7, the size of each of the brilliant portions Br1 appears to shine in a pattern in which the size gradually decreases radially from the optical axis Ax, so that a novel impression is given to the observer. Can be.

Further, in this embodiment, since the right reflection area of the reflection surface 16a extends toward the vehicle body, the direct light from the light source bulb 12 can be emitted to the vehicle body. As a result, it is possible to sufficiently secure the irradiation light amount to the side of the vehicle body. In addition, since the step portion 20 is formed in the left reflection region of the reflection surface 16a to the rear region thereof, it is possible to increase the amount of light radiated to the vehicle body side even by the reflected light from the step portion 20. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle marker light according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the marker lamp of the embodiment with its lens removed.

FIG. 5 is a detailed sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how the reflective surface is viewed from the front of the lamp when the light source bulb is turned on with the lens removed in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing how the reflection surface is viewed from the front of the lamp when the light source bulb is turned on with the lens covered in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Marker lamp (light fixture) 12 Light source bulb 12a Filament 16 Reflector 16a Reflection surface 16s Reflection surface element 18 Lens 18s Lens step 20, 20Ri, 20i Step 102, 104 Body panel Ax Reflector optical axis Ax 'Light source valve optical axis Bro , Br1 bright part Do not shine part Dgo dark part Dso shadow part SG band-shaped segment

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A vehicular marker light comprising: a light source bulb; a reflector having a reflection surface for reflecting light from the light source bulb forward; and a lens provided in front of the reflector. Is configured by dividing the reflection surface into a plurality of segments and allocating a reflection surface element to each of the segments. Each of the reflection surface elements has an optical axis of the reflector as a common axis and the optical axis Each of the plurality of paraboloids of revolution having a different focal length with the above fixed point as a common focal point is configured by a curved surface set as a reference plane, and the focal length of each paraboloid of revolution is from the optical axis. A vehicular marker lamp, wherein the value is set to be smaller as a paraboloid of revolution constituting a reference surface of a reflection surface element at a farther position. 2. A vehicle marker light comprising: a light source bulb; a reflector having a reflection surface for reflecting light from the light source bulb forward; and a lens provided in front of the reflector. The lens is inclined in the left-right direction so that the outer end side in the vehicle width direction of the lens is retracted, and the reflecting surface divides the reflecting surface into a plurality of segments and assigns a reflecting surface element to each of the segments. Wherein each of the reflective surface elements has a reference axis on each of a plurality of paraboloids of revolution having different focal lengths with the optical axis of the reflector as a common axis and a fixed point on the optical axis as a common focal point. The focal length of each of the paraboloids of revolution forms a reference plane of a reflective surface element located farther from the optical axis on the inner side in the vehicle width direction than the optical axis. You A smaller value is set for the paraboloid of revolution, and a larger value for the paraboloid of revolution constituting the reference surface of the reflection surface element located farther from the optical axis on the outer side in the vehicle width direction than the optical axis. A vehicle marker light, which is set. 3. A step formed at an end on the optical axis side of each of the reflective surface elements located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the optical axis, has a predetermined width in a lamp front view. The vehicular marker lamp according to claim 2, wherein the vehicular marker lamp is formed as follows. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the width of each of the segments as viewed from the front of the lamp is set so as to be narrower as the segment is farther from the optical axis.
4. The vehicle marker light according to any one of items 1 to 3. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of said segments comprises a strip-like segment extending substantially in parallel with each other, and said lens is formed with a plurality of strip-like lens steps extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction in which said each segment extends. The vehicle sign light according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 6. The vehicular marker lamp according to claim 1, wherein each of said reflecting surface elements is a diffuse reflecting surface element for diffusing and reflecting light from said light source bulb.