JP2020177832A - Vehicle lighting - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for forming a clear light emission pattern while suppressing an increase in the number of parts. SOLUTION: A vehicle lamp is rod-shaped and has a plurality of first peripheral surfaces 16a arranged so that their first peripheral surfaces 16a face each other, and first peripheral surfaces 16a of adjacent first peripheral surfaces 16 are connected to each other. It includes a light guide body 8 having a second portion 18 to be connected, and a plurality of light sources 10 arranged so as to face the first end surface 16d of each first portion 16 and incident light on each first portion 16. .. The plurality of first portions 16 are composed of a first translucent material, and the second portion is composed of a second translucent material having a refractive index different from that of the first translucent material. Each first portion 16 has a light reflecting element 20, and while guiding light incident from the first end surface 16d internally, light is emitted from a second peripheral surface 16b that is not connected to the second portion 18 by the light reflecting element 20. Is emitted. [Selection diagram] Fig. 2

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp, and particularly to a vehicle lamp used for a vehicle such as an automobile.

Conventionally, a vehicle lamp that emits light from a light source to the front of the lamp via a light guide is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, light is incident from one end surface of a columnar light guide body, and light traveling in the light guide body is reflected to the front side of the light guide body by a plurality of reflection steps arranged on the rear surface of the light guide body. A vehicle lighting tool having a structure for emitting light from the front surface of the light guide body is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-232594

In recent years, in applications such as so-called sequential turn lamps and welcome lamps, a light emitting mode in which the number of light emitting units is gradually increased or the light emitting unit is gradually moved has been put into practical use. As a lamp structure that realizes this light emitting mode, it is conceivable to provide reflection steps in a plurality of regions of one light guide body that are separated from each other and emit light in order from each region. However, in this structure, the light incident on the region where the light should be emitted may be scattered in the light guide and leak from the adjacent region. Therefore, it has been difficult to form a clear light emission pattern.

In order to prevent light from leaking from a region not intended to emit light, it is conceivable to form one light emitting portion with one light guide by using a plurality of independent light guides. However, in this case, the number of parts of the vehicle lamp is increased. An increase in the number of parts is not desirable because it may lead to a complicated assembly process, an increase in assembly man-hours, an increase in cost, and the like.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for forming a clear light emission pattern while suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle lamp. The vehicle lamp has a plurality of first portions that are rod-shaped and are arranged so that the first peripheral surfaces of each other face each other, and a second portion that connects the first peripheral surfaces of the adjacent first portions. A light guide body and a plurality of light sources arranged so as to face the first end faces of the plurality of first portions and incident light from the first end faces to the first portions are provided. The plurality of first portions are composed of a first translucent material, and the second portion is composed of a second translucent material having a refractive index different from that of the first translucent material. Each of the plurality of first portions has a light reflecting element, and while guiding the light of the light source incident from the first end surface internally, the light reflecting element emits light from the second peripheral surface which is not connected to the second portion. To do. According to this aspect, a clear light emission pattern can be formed while suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

In the above aspect, the plurality of first portions and the second portion may be integrally molded products. Further, in any of the above aspects, the vehicle lighting equipment may have a light source control unit that sequentially lights a plurality of light sources. Further, in any of the above embodiments, the plurality of first portions may extend in parallel with each other. Further, in any of the above embodiments, each of the plurality of first portions may emit light from the second end surface opposite to the first end surface. Further, in any of the above aspects, the plurality of first portions may be arranged so that the second end surface is visible from the front of the lamp and the second peripheral surface is visible from above the lamp or from the side of the lamp. Further, in any of the above embodiments, the first end surface may have a convex shape protruding toward the light source. Further, in any of the above embodiments, the light reflecting element may be configured by a reflection step provided on the third peripheral surface facing the second peripheral surface.

It should be noted that any combination of the above components and the conversion of the expression of the present invention between methods, devices, systems and the like are also effective as aspects of the present invention.

According to the present invention, a clear light emission pattern can be formed while suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

It is a perspective view of the lighting fixture for a vehicle which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view of a part of a light guide body and a part of a plurality of light sources. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a region including any one light source in FIG. It is a perspective view of the light guide body which concerns on modification 1. FIG. It is a top view of the light guide body which concerns on modification 2. FIG.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings based on preferred embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to the invention, but are exemplary, and all the features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the drawings shall be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted as appropriate. In addition, the scale and shape of each part shown in each figure are set for convenience in order to facilitate explanation, and are not limitedly interpreted unless otherwise specified. In addition, when terms such as "first" and "second" are used in the present specification or claims, these terms do not represent any order or importance unless otherwise specified, and have a certain structure. Is to distinguish between and other configurations. In addition, some of the members that are not important for explaining the embodiment in each drawing are omitted and displayed.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle lamp according to the embodiment. The vehicle lamp 1 is, for example, a headlamp arranged in front of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the front-rear direction of the lamp and the front-rear direction of the vehicle body on which the vehicle lamp 1 is mounted are set to be the same direction, and the left-right direction of the lamp is set to the same direction as the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body.

The vehicle lamp 1 includes a lamp body 2 having an opening in front of the lamp body 2 and a translucent outer cover (not shown) that covers the opening of the lamp body 2. In the lamp chamber 4 formed by the lamp body 2 and the outer cover, there are a lamp unit 6, a light guide body 8, a plurality of light sources 10 (see FIG. 2), a light source control unit 12, and an extension member 14. , Are housed. The lamp unit 6, the light guide body 8, the plurality of light sources 10, the light source control unit 12, and the extension member 14 are fixed to the lamp body 2 via support mechanisms (not shown).

The lamp unit 6 has a known structure and can form a low beam light distribution pattern, a high beam light distribution pattern, and the like. The light guide body 8 has a plate shape and is arranged on the bottom surface of the light chamber 4 as an example. The posture of the light guide body 8 is determined so as to expand in the front-rear direction of the lamp and in the vehicle width direction. The lamp unit 6 is arranged above the light guide body 8. The plurality of light sources 10 are arranged on the rear side of the light fixture of the light guide body 8. The light source control unit 12 controls turning on and off the plurality of light sources 10. The light source control unit 12 may be provided outside the light chamber 4. The extension member 14 is a blindfolding member for hiding the internal structure of the vehicle lamp 1 from the outside of the lamp, and is mainly provided between the lamp body 2 and the lamp unit 6.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a part of the light guide body 8 and a part of the plurality of light sources 10. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a region including any one light source 10 in FIG. In FIG. 2, the light source control unit 12 is drawn as a functional block. This functional block is realized by elements and circuits such as a computer CPU and memory as a hardware configuration, and is realized by a computer program or the like as a software configuration. Those skilled in the art will understand that this functional block can be realized in various ways by combining hardware and software.

The light guide body 8 is a resin member having translucency. The light guide body 8 has a plurality of first portions 16 and a second portion 18. Each of the first portions 16 has a rod shape and is arranged so that the first peripheral surfaces 16a of each other face each other. The peripheral surface is a surface extending along the extension axis of the rod-shaped member. Each of the first portions 16 is arranged in the vehicle width direction in a posture determined so that the extension shaft extends in the front-rear direction of the lamp. The plurality of first portions 16 extend parallel to each other.

Each first portion 16 of the present embodiment is prismatic and has a pair of first peripheral surfaces 16a, second peripheral surfaces 16b, and third peripheral surfaces 16c. Each peripheral surface is flat. The pair of first peripheral surfaces 16a are aligned in the vehicle width direction, face each other, and extend in parallel with each other. Then, the first peripheral surfaces 16a of the adjacent first portion 16 face each other. The second peripheral surface 16b and the third peripheral surface 16c face each other, and each connects a pair of first peripheral surfaces 16a. Therefore, the shape of the cross section orthogonal to the extension axis of each first portion 16 is a quadrangular shape in which a pair of first peripheral surfaces 16a, second peripheral surfaces 16b, and third peripheral surfaces 16c form each piece.

In addition, each first portion 16 has a first end surface 16d and a second end surface 16e. The end face is a surface extending in a direction intersecting the extension shaft at the end of the rod-shaped member. The first end surface 16d is connected to a pair of first peripheral surfaces 16a, second peripheral surfaces 16b, and third peripheral surfaces 16c on one end side of the first portion 16. The second end surface 16e is connected to a pair of first peripheral surfaces 16a, second peripheral surfaces 16b, and third peripheral surfaces 16c on the other end side of the first portion 16.

The second portion 18 connects the first peripheral surfaces 16a of the adjacent first portions 16 to each other. The light guide body 8 of the present embodiment has three or more first portions 16. Therefore, the light guide body 8 has a plurality of second portions 18. Each second portion 18 has a long plate shape or a rod shape in the extending direction of the first portion 16.

The plurality of first portions 16 are composed of the first translucent material. The plurality of second portions 18 are composed of a second translucent material having a refractive index different from that of the first translucent material. For example, the first translucent material is polycarbonate (PC). The second translucent material is an acrylic resin such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). In the present embodiment, the plurality of first portions 16 and the plurality of second portions 18 are integrally molded products. Such an integrally molded product can be manufactured by a known two-color molding or the like using a first translucent material and a second translucent material.

Each of the plurality of light sources 10 is, for example, an LED (light emitting diode). Each light source 10 may be an LD (laser diode), another semiconductor light emitting element such as an organic or inorganic EL (electroluminescence), an incandescent bulb, a halogen lamp, a discharge bulb, or the like. The plurality of light sources 10 are arranged so as to face the first end faces 16d of each of the plurality of first portions 16. Each light source 10 is arranged so that its light emitting surface faces the first end surface 16d. Therefore, the light emitted from each light source 10 is incident on each first portion 16 from the first end surface 16d. The light incident on the first portion 16 travels straight toward the second end surface 16e inside the first portion 16, or travels toward the second end surface 16e while reflecting inside the inside of the first portion 16.

Each of the plurality of first portions 16 has a light reflecting element 20. The light reflecting element 20 is an optical element that reflects light traveling inside the first portion 16 toward the second peripheral surface 16b. The light reflecting element 20 of the present embodiment is composed of a plurality of reflecting steps provided on the third peripheral surface 16c facing the second peripheral surface 16b. The plurality of reflection steps are arranged in the extending direction of the third peripheral surface 16c. The second peripheral surface 16b is a region of the peripheral surface of the first portion 16 that is not connected to the second portion 18.

Therefore, each first portion 16 emits light from the second peripheral surface 16b by the light reflecting element 20 while guiding the light of the light source 10 incident from the first end surface 16d internally. Further, each of the first portions 16 of the present embodiment emits light that travels inside and reaches the second end surface 16e on the side opposite to the first end surface 16d from the second end surface 16e.

As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of first portions 16 are arranged so that the second end surface 16e is visually recognized from the front of the lamp and the second peripheral surface 16b is visually recognized from above the lamp. Therefore, the second peripheral surface 16b and the second end surface 16e of each first portion 16 are visually recognized as light emitting portions from the outside of the lamp. The second end surface 16e can be visually recognized even if the line of sight from the front of the lamp is shifted diagonally upward or diagonally to the side. The second peripheral surface 16b can be visually recognized even if the line of sight from above in the vertical direction is shifted diagonally to the side or diagonally forward. The light guide body 8 may be arranged so that the second peripheral surface 16b can be visually recognized from the side of the lamp, with the posture determined so as to spread in the front-rear direction and the vertical direction of the lamp.

The first portion 16 and the second portion 18 are composed of first and second translucent materials having different refractive indexes from each other. Therefore, the light traveling inside the first portion 16 can be totally reflected on the first peripheral surface 16a. That is, the light of the light source 10 enters the second portion 18 side by utilizing the difference in the refractive index between the first translucent material constituting the first portion 16 and the second translucent material constituting the second portion 18. Can be suppressed. As a result, only the second peripheral surface 16b and the second end surface 16e of the first portion 16 corresponding to the lit light source 10 can be made to emit light.

Further, the first end surface 16d of the present embodiment has a convex shape protruding toward the facing light source 10. Thereby, the traveling direction of the light incident on the first portion 16 can be adjusted so that the incident angle of the light traveling inside the first portion 16 with respect to the second portion 18 is equal to or more than the critical angle. As an example, the convex shape of the first end surface 16d is designed to convert the light of the light source 10 passing through the first end surface 16d into parallel light. As a result, it is possible to more reliably suppress the light traveling inside the first portion 16 from entering the second portion 18 side from the first peripheral surface 16a.

The light guide body 8 has a structure in which a plurality of first portions 16 and a plurality of second portions 18 are alternately arranged in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when all the light sources 10 are turned on, a light emitting pattern in which a plurality of line-shaped light emitting portions are arranged in the vehicle width direction is formed.

The light source control unit 12 turns on a plurality of light sources 10 in sequence. For example, the light source control unit 12 turns on the light source 10 continuously in order from the inside in the vehicle width direction to the outside in the vehicle width direction. Thereby, so-called sequential lighting can be realized. When the light source 10 is newly turned on, the light source control unit 12 can keep the light source 10 already turned on or turn it off. When the lighting of the light source 10 that is already lit is maintained, a light emitting pattern in which the light emitting unit gradually increases can be obtained. When the light source 10 that is already lit is turned off, a light emitting pattern in which the light emitting unit gradually moves can be obtained.

The vehicle lamp 1 can function as, for example, a turn signal lamp, a clearance lamp, a daytime running lamp, a position lamp, or the like by emitting light from each first portion 16 by lighting each light source 10.

As described above, the vehicle lamp 1 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of first portions 16 which are rod-shaped and are arranged so that their first peripheral surfaces 16a face each other, and adjacent first portions. The light guide body 8 having the second portion 18 connecting the first peripheral surfaces 16a of the 16 to each other is arranged so as to face the first end surface 16d of each of the plurality of first portions 16, and each of them is arranged from the first end surface 16d. A plurality of light sources 10 for incident light on the first portion 16 are provided. The plurality of first portions 16 are composed of a first translucent material, and the second portion 18 is composed of a second translucent material having a refractive index different from that of the first translucent material. Each of the plurality of first portions 16 has a light reflecting element 20, and the second portion 16 is not connected to the second portion 18 by the light reflecting element 20 while guiding the light of the light source 10 incident from the first end surface 16d internally. Light is emitted from the peripheral surface 16b.

The light guide body 8 has a structure in which a plurality of first portions 16 and second portions 18 are connected to each other. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts of the vehicle lamp 1 as compared with the case where a plurality of independent light guides are mounted on the vehicle lamp 1. As a result, it is possible to avoid complication of the assembly process of the vehicle lamp 1, increase in assembly man-hours, increase in cost, and the like. Further, the first portion 16 and the second portion 18 are made of translucent materials having different refractive indexes. As a result, it is possible to prevent the light incident on the first portion 16 from leaking from the first peripheral surface 16a to the second portion 18 side. Therefore, when the turning on and off of each light source 10 is individually switched to cause each first portion 16 to emit light individually, it is possible to form a light emitting pattern including a clear line-shaped light emitting portion.

As a method of preventing light from leaking from the first portion 16 to the second portion 18 and forming a clear line-shaped light emitting portion, it is conceivable that the second portion 18 is made of a material having no translucency. .. However, in this case, it is easy to visually distinguish the first portion 16 and the second portion 18 even when the plurality of light sources 10 are not lit. Therefore, the change in the appearance of the light guide body 8 is small when the plurality of light sources 10 are lit and when the light sources 10 are not lit.

On the other hand, by forming both the first portion 16 and the second portion 18 with a translucent material, when the plurality of light sources 10 are not lit, they are visually recognized as one transparent plate, and when the light sources 10 are lit. It is possible to realize a design in which a line-shaped light emitting part clearly emerges on a transparent plate. As a result, the attractiveness of the vehicle lamp 1 can be further enhanced. In addition, the design and appearance of the vehicle lamp 1 can be improved.

The second portion 18 does not have the light reflecting element 20. Therefore, the light incident on the second portion 18 may not be emitted from the second portion 18 to the outside of the light guide body 8, or even if it is emitted, it may be negligible. However, when light is incident on the second portion 18, the light passes through the second portion 18 and is incident on the adjacent first portion 16, and is emitted from the first portion 16 to the outside of the light guide body 8. .. When an attempt is made to form a light emitting pattern in which the predetermined first portion 16 emits light and the adjacent first portion 16 does not emit light, light is also emitted from the adjacent first portion 16 via the second portion 18. If this is done, the light emission pattern will be unclear. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, since the leakage of light from the first portion 16 to the second portion 18 can be suppressed, a clear light emission pattern can be formed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of first portions 16 and the second portion 18 are integrally molded products. As a result, the light guide body 8 can be easily handled, and the assembly process of the vehicle lamp 1 can be further simplified.

Further, the vehicle lamp 1 of the present embodiment has a light source control unit 12 that sequentially lights a plurality of light sources 10. By sequentially injecting the light of each light source 10 into each first portion 16 of the light guide body 8 described above, the light emitting portion in a clear line shape gradually increases, or the light emitting portion gradually moves. A light emitting mode can be realized. Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of first portions extend in parallel with each other. As a result, the attractiveness of the vehicle lamp 1 can be further enhanced. In addition, the design and appearance of the vehicle lamp 1 can be improved.

Further, each of the plurality of first portions 16 of the present embodiment also emits light from the second end surface 16e on the side opposite to the first end surface 16d. Further, the plurality of first portions 16 are arranged so that the second end surface 16e is visually recognized from the front of the lamp and the second peripheral surface 16b is visually recognized from above the lamp or from the side of the lamp. As a result, it is possible to expand the angle range in which the light emitting portion can be visually recognized from the outside of the lamp. As a result, the visibility of the vehicle lamp 1 can be enhanced, and the safety of the driver, pedestrian, and the like can be enhanced.

Further, the first end surface 16d of the present embodiment has a convex shape protruding toward the light source 10. As a result, the leakage of light from the first portion 16 to the second portion 18 can be suppressed more reliably. Therefore, a clear light emission pattern can be formed more reliably.

Further, the light reflecting element 20 of the present embodiment is composed of a reflection step provided on the third peripheral surface 16c facing the second peripheral surface 16b. As a result, the light traveling inside the first portion 16 can be more reliably emitted from the third peripheral surface 16c. As a result, the leakage of light from the first portion 16 to the second portion 18 can be suppressed more reliably, and a clear light emission pattern can be formed more reliably.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. The above-described embodiment merely shows a specific example in carrying out the present invention. The content of the embodiment does not limit the technical scope of the present invention, and many design changes such as modification, addition, and deletion of components are made without departing from the idea of the invention defined in the claims. Is possible. The new embodiment with the design change has the effects of the combined embodiment and the modification. In the above-described embodiment, the contents that can be changed in design are emphasized by adding notations such as "in the present embodiment" and "in the present embodiment". Design changes are allowed even if there is no content. Any combination of the above components is also valid as an aspect of the present invention. The hatching attached to the cross section of the drawing does not limit the material of the object to which the hatching is attached.

(Modification example 1)
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the light guide body 8 according to the first modification. The posture of the light guide body 8 according to the first modification is determined so that the first end surface 16d of the first portion 16 is located on the rear side of the lamp and the second end surface 16e of the first portion 16 is located on the front side of the lamp. Further, the light guide body 8 has a first bent portion 22. Since the light guide body 8 has the first bent portion 22, the end portion on the rear side of the lamp is bent diagonally downward, and the end on the front side of the lamp is bent so as to face the front of the lamp. The light guide body 8 extends diagonally from the rear end of the lamp to the first bent portion 22 so as to be positioned upward in the vertical direction toward the front side of the lamp, and extends from the first bent portion 22 to the front end of the lamp. It extends horizontally to the part. When the light guide body 8 has such a shape, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the light guide body 8 can be increased.

(Modification 2)
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the light guide body 8 according to the second modification. The posture of the light guide body 8 according to the second modification is determined so that the first end surface 16d of the first portion 16 is located on the rear side of the lamp and the second end surface 16e of the first portion 16 is located on the front side of the lamp. Further, the light guide body 8 has a second bent portion 24. Since the light guide body 8 has the second bent portion 24, the end portion on the rear side of the lamp is bent diagonally, and the end on the front side of the lamp is bent so as to face the front of the lamp. The light guide body 8 extends diagonally from the end on the rear side of the lamp to the second bent portion 24 so as to be located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction toward the front side of the lamp, and from the second bent portion 24 on the front side of the lamp. It extends parallel to the front-back direction of the lamp to the end. When the light guide body 8 has such a shape, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the light guide body 8 can be increased.

(Other)
The light reflecting element 20 may be composed of light diffusing materials scattered in the first portion 16. However, if the light reflecting element 20 is configured by the reflection step, the leakage of light from the first portion 16 to the second portion 18 can be suppressed more reliably. As long as there are two or more first portions 16, the numbers of the first portion 16 and the second portion 18 are not particularly limited. The shape of the light emitting pattern can be changed by adjusting the arrangement and shape of the first portion 16 and / or the light reflecting element 20. Further, the posture of the light guide body 8 can be arbitrarily determined.

The vehicle lighting tool 1 may be a rear combination lamp or the like arranged at the rear of the vehicle. In this case, the vehicle lamp 1 emits light from each first portion 16 by lighting each light source 10, and thus, for example, as a stop lamp, a tail lamp, a turn signal lamp, a clearance lamp, a daytime running lamp, a position lamp, or the like. Can function.

1 Vehicle lamp, 8 Light guide, 10 Light source, 12 Light source control unit, 16 1st part, 16a 1st peripheral surface, 16b 2nd peripheral surface, 16c 3rd peripheral surface, 16d 1st end surface, 16e 2nd end surface , 18 Second part, 20 Light reflecting element.

Claims (8)

A light guide body having a plurality of first portions that are rod-shaped and arranged so that their first peripheral surfaces face each other, and a second portion that connects the first peripheral surfaces of the adjacent first portions. ,
A plurality of light sources arranged so as to face the first end surface of each of the plurality of first portions and incident light from the first end surface to each first portion are provided.
The plurality of first portions are composed of a first translucent material, and the second portion is composed of a second translucent material having a refractive index different from that of the first translucent material.
Each of the plurality of first portions has a light reflecting element, and while guiding the light of the light source incident from the first end surface internally, the second circumference is not connected to the second portion by the light reflecting element. A vehicle lighting fixture that emits light from a surface. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first portions and the second portion are integrally molded products. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a light source control unit for sequentially lighting the plurality of light sources. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of first portions extend in parallel with each other. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the plurality of first portions also emits light from a second end surface opposite to the first end surface. The vehicle lamp according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of first portions are arranged so that the second end surface is visible from the front of the lamp and the second peripheral surface is visible from above the lamp or from the side of the lamp. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first end surface has a convex shape protruding toward the light source. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the light reflecting element is composed of a reflection step provided on a third peripheral surface facing the second peripheral surface.

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