JP6512696B2 - Lighting unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lighting unit including a light source and a light transmitting plate disposed in front of the light source.

  Heretofore, as a configuration of a lighting unit in which a light transmitting plate is disposed in front of a light source, one in which a plurality of projections are continuously formed on the surface of the light transmitting plate is known.

  In such a lighting unit, what has a conical surface part is described in "the patent document 1" as a structure of each projection part formed in the light transmission board.

JP 2008-201103 A

  In such a lighting unit, when the plurality of projections having a conical surface are continuously formed in a plurality of intersecting directions, the light transmitting plate of the lighting unit in the lighting state is observed from the front. A plurality of places according to the direction of the conical surface of each projection can be made bright and visible.

  However, even if such a configuration is adopted, in the case where the plurality of protrusions are disposed in a state in which the cones intersect each other in each direction, a plurality of spots of the light transmission plate glow in a spot shape. It is difficult for us to stay visible and to give novelty to how it looks when lit.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a lighting unit having a light source and a light transmitting plate disposed in front thereof can have novelty in how it looks when lit. It aims at providing a lighting unit.

  The present invention achieves the above object by devising the configuration of the light transmitting plate.

That is, the lighting unit according to the first invention of the present application is
In a lighting unit comprising a light source and a light transmitting plate disposed in front of the light source,
The lighting unit is a vehicle lamp, and the light source and the light transmitting plate are accommodated in a lamp chamber formed of a lamp body and a transparent outer cover.
The light source is a light emitting diode,
A plurality of protrusions having a conical surface are formed on the surface of the light transmitting plate,
The plurality of protrusions are continuously formed in a plurality of directions intersecting each other on the surface,
It is characterized in that a boundary between the projections in each direction has a cross-sectional shape of a concave curve or a concave polygon.

In addition, a lighting unit according to a second invention of the present application is:
In a lighting unit comprising a light source and a light transmitting plate disposed in front of the light source,
The lighting unit is a vehicle lamp, and the light source and the light transmitting plate are accommodated in a lamp chamber formed of a lamp body and a transparent outer cover.
The light source is a light emitting diode,
A plurality of projections having a pyramidal surface are formed on the surface of the light transmitting plate,
The plurality of protrusions are continuously formed in a plurality of directions intersecting each other on the surface,
At least a part of a ridgeline portion between the respective pyramidal surface portions in each of the protrusions has a convex-curved or convex-polygonal cross-sectional shape.

  The "surface" of the light transmitting plate may be the front surface or the back surface of the light transmitting plate.

  The specific shape of the “protrusion” in the first invention of the present application is not particularly limited as long as it has a pyramidal surface, and, for example, a pyramid such as a triangular pyramid, a quadrangular pyramid, a cone or an elliptical pyramid All or part of the surface may be employed.

  The specific shape of the “concave or concave polygonal cross-sectional shape” is not particularly limited, and may be a single curve, a plurality of curves, or a plurality of straight lines. It is possible to adopt one configured, one or more curves and one or more straight lines. The same applies to the above-mentioned “convex curve or convex polygonal cross-sectional shape”.

  The illumination unit according to the first invention of the present application is configured such that a plurality of projections having a conical surface are formed on the surface of the light transmitting plate, but the plurality of projections intersect each other on the surface Since the light transmission plate of the lighting unit in the lighting state is observed from the front, since it is continuously formed in a plurality of directions, a plurality of (or one) spots according to the direction of the conical surface of each projection are spots It can be made to appear bright and luminous in a shape (or ring shape).

  In addition, the boundary between the protrusions in each direction has a cross-sectional shape of a concave curve or a concave polygon, so that light from the light source is diffused in each direction at the boundary. be able to. Therefore, when the light transmission plate of the lighting unit in the lighting state is observed from the front, not only a plurality of places (or one place) appear brightly in a spot shape (or ring shape), but also a band-like region connecting these lights Can be made visible. And by this, it is possible to give novelty to how it looks when lit.

  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the lighting unit provided with the light source and the light transmitting plate disposed in front of the light source, it is possible to have novelty in how it looks when lit.

  In the above configuration, if the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the bottom surface of each protrusion is set to a value of 1 mm or less, a large number of protrusions and their boundary portions may be formed in each direction. It is easily possible. As a result, each spot-like area (or ring-like area) and each band-like area can be seen to be illuminated uniformly.

  In this case, each spot-like region (or ring) can be formed by setting the width of each boundary portion to a value 0.01 to 1 times the diameter of the circumscribed circle on the bottom surface of each protrusion. The band-like regions can be made to look bright with appropriate brightness after sufficiently securing the brightness of the

  In the above configuration, when the boundary portion has a concave curve cross-sectional shape with a radius of 0.00003 to 1 mm, each band-shaped area can be used regardless of the brightness of each spot-shaped area (or ring-shaped area). It can be made to look bright with appropriate brightness. At this time, it is preferable to set the radius to 0.001 to 0.5 mm from the viewpoint of making it appear as light with appropriate brightness while preventing occurrence of the spectral phenomenon.

  On the other hand, in the illumination unit according to the second aspect of the present invention, the plurality of projections having the pyramidal surface are formed on the surface of the light transmitting plate, but the plurality of projections are mutually different on the surface Since the light transmission plate of the lighting unit in the lighting state is observed from the front, since it is continuously formed in a plurality of intersecting directions, a plurality of spots according to the direction of the conical surface portion of each projection are bright in a spot shape. It can be made to look shiny.

  In addition, at least a part of the ridgeline portion between the respective pyramidal surface portions in each protrusion has a convex curved or convex polygonal cross-sectional shape, so that at least a part of the ridgeline portion from the light source Light can be diffused in the directions intersecting with the above directions. Therefore, when the light transmitting plate of the lighting unit in the lighting state is observed from the front, not only a plurality of spots appear brightly in the form of spots, but also a band-like region connecting them can be viewed as light. And by this, it is possible to give novelty to how it looks when lit.

  In addition, it is also possible to combine the configuration of the first invention of the present application with the configuration of the second invention of the present application. In this case, when the light transmitting plate of the lighting unit in the lighting state is observed from the front, not only a plurality of spots appear brightly in the form of spots, but also two types of strip regions connecting these intersect each other It can be seen to shine in a state of extending in the And by this, it is possible to give more novelty to the appearance at the time of lighting.

Side sectional view showing a lighting unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention Detail view of part II of FIG. 1 III direction arrow view of FIG. 2 Detail view of part IV of FIG. 2 V direction arrow view of FIG. 4 VI-VI line section perspective view of FIG. 5 Front view showing the lighting unit in the lighting state Main Part Side Cross-sectional View Showing Two Modifications of the First Embodiment The figure similar to FIG. 5 which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention XX cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 9 The front view which shows the lighting unit which concerns on the said 2nd Embodiment in a lighting state The figure similar to FIG. 5 which shows 3rd Embodiment of this invention The perspective view which takes out and shows the projection part of the said 3rd Embodiment The front view which shows the lighting unit which concerns on the said 3rd Embodiment in a lighting state The figure similar to FIG. 4 which shows 4th Embodiment of this invention XVI direction arrow view of FIG. 15 The front view which shows the lighting unit which concerns on the said 4th Embodiment in a lighting state (A) is a principal part perspective view which shows the modification of the said 4th Embodiment, (b) is a front view which shows the illumination unit which concerns on this modification in a lighting state (A) is a principal part perspective view which shows the other modification of the said 4th Embodiment, (b) is a front view which shows the illumination unit which concerns on this modification in a lighting state Side sectional view showing a lighting unit according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention Details of the XXI section in FIG. 20

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described using the drawings.

  First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a lighting unit 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the lighting unit 10 according to the present embodiment is a tail lamp disposed at the rear of the vehicle, and is provided with a light emitting element 20 in the lamp chamber formed by the lamp body 12 and the red transparent outer cover 14. The light transmitting plate 30 is accommodated.

  The light emitting element 20 is a red light emitting diode, and is mounted forward of the lamp (rear as a vehicle) in a state of being mounted on the substrate 22. The substrate 22 is supported by the lamp body 12.

  The light transmitting plate 30 is a colorless and transparent thin plate-like synthetic resin molded product, and disposed in front of the light emitting element 20 along a plane orthogonal to an axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp so as to pass through the light emission center It is done. The rear surface 30 b of the light transmitting plate 30 is formed in a flat shape, and a plurality of protrusions 32 are formed on the front surface 30 a. The light transmitting plate 30 is supported by the lamp body 12 at its peripheral portion.

  A holder 16 which covers the peripheral portion of the light transmitting plate 30 is disposed on the front side of the light transmitting plate 30 in the lamp chamber. The holder 16 sandwiches the light transmission plate 30 with the lamp body 12 in a state of being in contact with the peripheral edge portion of the light transmission plate 30.

  Next, the specific configuration of the light transmitting plate 30 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a portion II of FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrow III in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a portion IV in FIG. Furthermore, FIG. 5 is a V-direction arrow view of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5.

  As shown in these figures, the plurality of protrusions 32 are continuously formed on the front surface 30 a of the light transmitting plate 30 in a plurality of directions crossing each other.

  Specifically, the plurality of protrusions 32 are formed in a regular triangular pyramid shape having three pyramidal surface portions 32 a. The plurality of projections 32 extend horizontally at an angle of 60 ° with respect to the horizontal direction and the horizontal direction, with the pair of adjacent projections 32 as one unit in a state in which the pyramidal surface portions 32a face each other. Are continuously formed.

  Further, the boundary portion 34 between each of the protrusions 32 in each of the three directions in which the plurality of protrusions 32 extend has a concave curve cross section (specifically, a single arc cross section). ing.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the following, if necessary, the projections 32 of the above-mentioned pair of projections 32 with the outer shape of the bottom face are an upward-facing regular triangle, the protrusions 32A, and the downward-facing regular triangle The portion 32 will be described as the protrusion 32B.

  In the upward-facing regular triangular projection 32A, the downward pyramid surface 32a is a pyramid surface 32Aa1, the front surface is a left upward pyramid 32a, and the front surface is a right upward pyramid 32a. In the downward regular triangular projection 32B, the upward pyramidal surface 32a is a pyramidal surface 32Ba1, the left downward pyramidal surface 32a is a pyramidal surface 32Ba2 in front view, the right downward in a front view The pyramid surface 32a will be described as the pyramid surface 32Ba3.

  Furthermore, if necessary, the horizontally extending boundary portion 34 will be described as the boundary portion 34A, the boundary portion 34 extending from the upper left to the lower right as the boundary portion 34B, and the boundary portion 34 extending from the upper right to the lower left as the boundary portion 34C.

  The diameter D1 of the circumscribed circle C1 of the bottom surface (portion surrounded by three two-dot chain lines in FIG. 5) of each protrusion 32 is set to a value (for example, about 0.5 mm) equal to or less than 1 mm.

  Each boundary portion 34 is set to have a width W1 of 0.01 to 1 times (e.g., about 0.05 times) a diameter D1. Further, in each of the boundary portions 34, the radius R1 of the arc forming the concave curve cross-sectional shape is set to a value of 0.001 to 0.5 mm (for example, about 0.03 mm).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, of the light emitted obliquely upward from the light emitting element 20 and reached the light transmitting plate 30, the light emitted in the direction forming the predetermined angle θ1 with the axis Ax is transmitted to the light transmitting plate 30. On the other hand, the light is incident on the rear surface 30b so as to be refracted to the front side, and the light is further refracted to the front side by the upward pyramidal surface portion 32Ba1 of the projection 32B and emitted in the front direction Do. At this time, the value of the predetermined angle θ1 is a value corresponding to the inclination angle of the pyramidal surface portion 32Aa1.

  The light emitted from each of the protrusions 32B adjacent to the upper and lower sides with respect to the protrusions 32B is also emitted in the substantially front direction, and the emitted light from each of the protrusions 32B adjacent to the upper and lower sides is also emitted in the substantially front direction. However, the direction of the light emitted from the projection 32B which is separated by a certain value or more in the vertical direction is largely deviated in the vertical direction from the front direction. Therefore, only light emitted from the light emitting element 20 obliquely upward at a predetermined angle θ1 (or an angle close thereto) is emitted from the light transmitting plate 30 in the front direction (or a direction close thereto). Become.

  Similarly, light emitted from the light emitting element 20 obliquely downward at a predetermined angle θ1 and reaching the light transmitting plate 30 is emitted in the front direction from the downward pyramid surface 32Aa1 of the projection 32A. Then, only light emitted from the light emitting element 20 obliquely downward at a predetermined angle θ1 (or an angle close thereto) is emitted from the light transmitting plate 30 in the front direction (or a direction close thereto). .

  In addition, the light emitted from the light emitting element 20 in each direction upward in a left oblique direction of 30 °, right oblique direction of 30 ° upward, left oblique angle of 30 ° downward, right oblique angle of 30 ° downward in front view The light emitted at a close angle) is emitted from the light transmitting plate 30 in the front direction (or a direction close thereto).

  On the other hand, of the light reaching the light transmitting plate 30 from the light emitting element 20, the light emitted from the boundary portion 34 between the protrusions 32 has a direction in which the boundary portion 34 extends in the front direction at the boundary portion 34 The light is emitted forward as light diffused in the direction orthogonal to.

  FIG. 7 is a front view showing the lighting unit 10 in a lighting state.

  As shown in the figure, in the light transmitting plate 30, six spot-like areas B1a, B2a, B3a, B1b, B2b, and B3b appear bright, and these six spot-like areas B1a, B2a, and B3a. , And three band-like regions B4a, B4b, and B4c that connect two points each of B1b, B2b, and B3b also to light.

  At that time, six spot-like areas B1a, B2a, B3a, B1b, B2b, B3b are formed at equal angular intervals on the same circumference centering on the axis Ax, and three strip-like areas B4a, B4b, B4c , And radially formed so as to pass through the position of the axis Ax.

  The three spot-like areas B1a, B2a and B3a are formed by the projections 32A located in a direction forming a predetermined angle .theta.1 on the plane including the axis Ax and the pyramidal surface portions 32Aa1, 32Aa2 and 32Aa3 of the projections 32A located in the vicinity thereof. The three spot-like regions B1b, B2b and B3b are formed by the emitted light of the projection 32B located in the direction forming the remaining predetermined angle .theta.1 on the plane including the axis Ax and the projections located in the vicinity thereof It is respectively formed by the emitted light from the pyramidal surface parts 32Ba1, 32Ba2, 32Ba3 of 32B.

  A band-like area B4a connecting spot-like areas B1a and B1b located directly above and below axis Ax is formed by diffused light emitted from boundary portion 34 extending in the horizontal direction, and spot-like areas located at the upper right and lower left of axis Ax A band-like area B4b connecting the areas B3a and B2b is formed by diffused light emitted from the boundary portion 34B extending from the upper left to the lower right, and a band-like area B4c connecting spot-like areas B2a and B3b located on the upper left and lower right of the axis Ax. Is formed by diffused light emitted from the boundary portion 34C extending from the upper right to the lower left.

  Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described.

  The illumination unit 10 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a plurality of projections 32 having a pyramid surface 32a are formed on the front surface 30a of the light transmission plate 30, but the plurality of projections 32 are on the front surface 30a. Since the light transmission plate 30 of the lighting unit 10 in the lighting state is observed from the front, a plurality of the light emission members according to the direction of the pyramidal surface portion 32 a of each protrusion 32 are continuously formed in plural directions crossing each other. The spot can be made to appear brightly in the form of a spot.

  Moreover, in the present embodiment, since the boundary portion 34 between the protrusions 32 in each direction has a concave-curved cross-sectional shape, the light emitting element 20 as a light source at the boundary portion 34 Light can be diffused in each of the above directions. Therefore, when the light transmitting plate 30 of the lighting unit 10 in the lighting state is observed from the front, not only the plural spots appear bright as the spot-like areas B1a, B2a, B3a, B1b, B2b, B3b, but they are connected The band-like regions B4a, B4b, and B4c can also be made to appear to glow. And by this, it is possible to give novelty to how it looks when lit.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the lighting unit 10 including the light emitting element 20 and the light transmitting plate 30 disposed in front of the light emitting element 20, it is possible to have novelty in how it looks when lit.

  At this time, in the present embodiment, the diameter D1 of the circumscribed circle C1 of the bottom surface of each protrusion 32 is set to a value of 1 mm or less, so a large number of protrusions 32 and their boundary portions 34 It is possible to make the configuration formed, and thereby it is possible to make each spot-like area B1a, B2a, B3a, B1b, B2b, B3b and each band-like area B4a, B4b, B4c to be seen to be uniformly illuminated.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the width W1 of each boundary portion 34 is set to a value 0.01 to 1 times the diameter D1 of the circumscribed circle C1 of the bottom surface of each protrusion 32, each spot-like region After sufficiently securing the brightness of B1a, B2a, B3a, B1b, B2b, and B3b, it is possible to make each of the strip-like regions B4a, B4b, and B4c appear to glow with appropriate brightness.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since each boundary portion 34 has an arc-shaped cross-sectional shape with a radius of 0.001 to 0.5 mm, the brightness of each of the spot-like regions B1a, B2a, B3a, B1b, B2b, B3b It is possible to make each of the band-like regions B4a, B4b, and B4c appear to glow with an appropriate brightness while preventing occurrence of the spectral phenomenon regardless of the magnitude of the size.

  In the first embodiment, each boundary portion 34 is described as having an arc-shaped cross-sectional shape with a radius of 0.001 to 0.5 mm, but the range of the radius R is set to 0.00003 to 1 mm. Also in this case, the band-like regions B4a, B4b, and B4c can be made to appear to glow with appropriate brightness.

  In the first embodiment, each boundary portion 34 has been described as having a single arc-shaped cross-sectional shape, but as shown in FIG. Even in the case of the formed configuration or the configuration formed as a whole in a concave curve shape by the straight line L and the curve C as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the light emitted from each boundary portion 34 is the boundary portion The light diffused in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction can be emitted forward, whereby substantially the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  Although the case where the illumination unit 10 is a tail lamp has been described in the first embodiment, the first embodiment can be implemented by adopting the same configuration as the first embodiment regardless of the location or function provided in the vehicle. The same function and effect as the form can be obtained. Moreover, it is also possible to use the lighting unit 10 for uses other than a vehicle lamp.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the light transmitting plate 130 of the lighting unit according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along the line X-X of FIG.

  As shown in these figures, the light transmitting plate 130 according to the present embodiment also has the same basic configuration as that of the first embodiment, but between the respective pyramidal surface portions 132a of the respective protruding portions 132. The ridge line portion 132 b has a convex curved cross-sectional shape (specifically, a single circular arc cross-sectional shape).

  Of the light that has reached the light transmitting plate 130 from the light emitting element 20, the light emitted from the ridge line portion 132b between the respective pyramidal surface portions 132a in each projection 132 is the ridge line portion 132b with respect to the front direction in the ridge line portion 132b. The light is emitted forward as light diffused in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the light.

  FIG. 11 is a front view showing the lighting unit 110 according to the present embodiment in a lighting state.

  As shown in the figure, in the light transmission plate 130, six spot-like areas B1a, B2a, B3a, B1b, B2b, and B3b appear bright and light like the light transmission plate 30 of the first embodiment. The three band-like regions B4a, B4b, and B4c connecting the six spot-like regions B1a, B2a, B3a, B1b, B2b, and B3b at two places also appear to be luminous, but further, three band-like regions B4a, B4b, and B4c The six band-like regions B5a, B5b, B5c, B5d, B5e, B5f connecting the two spot-like regions B1a, B2a, B3a, B1b, B2b, B3b at two places orthogonal to the above are also seen to be luminous.

  A band-like region B5a connecting the spot-like regions B2b and B3b located on the lower left and lower right of the axis Ax is formed by diffused light emitted from a ridge line portion 132Bb1 extending vertically between the pyramidal surface portions 132Ba2 and 132Ba3 of the projection 132B. . A band-like region B5b connecting the spot-like regions B1b and B2b located directly above and below the axis Ax is formed by diffused light emitted from a ridgeline portion 132Bb2 extending from the upper left to the lower right between the pyramidal surface portions 132Ba1 and 132Ba2 of the projection 132B. Be done. A band-like region B5c connecting spot-like regions B1b and B3b located right above and below the axis Ax is formed by diffused light emitted from a ridgeline portion 132Bb3 extending from the upper right to the lower left between the pyramidal surface portions 132Ba1 and 132Ba3 of the projection 132B. Be done.

  A band-like region B5d connecting the spot-like regions B2a and B3a located on the upper left and upper right of the axis Ax is formed by diffused light emitted from a ridge line portion 132Ab extending vertically between the pyramidal surface portions 132Aa2 and 132Aa3 of the projection 132A. Ru. A band-like region B5e connecting the spot-like regions B1a and B2a located directly below and on the upper left of the axis Ax is formed by diffused light emitted from a ridgeline portion 132Ab extending from the upper right to the lower left between the pyramidal surface portions 132Aa1 and 132Aa2 of the projection 132A. . A band-like region B5f connecting the spot-like regions B1a and B3a located directly below and to the right of the axis Ax is formed by diffused light emitted from a ridgeline portion 132Ab3 extending from the upper left to the lower right between the pyramidal surface portions 132Aa1 and 132Aa3 of the projection 132A. Ru.

  By adopting the configuration of the present embodiment, when the illumination unit 110 is turned on, compared with the case of the first embodiment, strip regions B5a, B5b, B5c, B5d orthogonal to the strip regions B4a, B4b, B4c. , B5e, and B5f can be made to appear to be lighted, and this makes it possible to give more novelty to how they look when lit.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the illumination unit light transmitting plate 230 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, in the light transmission plate 230 according to the present embodiment as well, a plurality of protrusions 232 are continuously formed in three directions on the front surface 230a, but each of the protrusions 232 is a positive six It is shaped like a depression in the upper part of the pyramid.

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing one protrusion 232 taken out.

  As also shown in the figure, the protrusion 232 has three types of pyramidal surface portions 232aA, 232aB and 232aC.

  The pyramidal surface portion 232aA constitutes a lower outer peripheral surface of a regular hexagonal pyramid, and the pyramidal surface portion 232aB is an inner peripheral surface of a portion in which the upper portion of the regular hexagonal pyramid is depressed in a regular hexagonal shape The pyramidal surface portion 232aC is configured by a triangular surface which is obtained by chamfering the upper part of the ridgeline portion between the pyramidal surface portions 232aA and connecting it to the pyramidal surface portion 232aB.

  The six pyramidal surface portions 232aA, 232aB, and 232aC are respectively formed in the same shape and in six planes.

  The inclination angle of each pyramid surface portion 232aA is set to a value larger than the inclination angle of each pyramid surface portion 232aB. Further, although the directions of the faces of the respective pyramidal surface portions 232aB and the respective pyramidal surface portions 232aC adjacent to each other are opposite to each other, the inclination angles thereof are set to the same value.

  A ridge line portion 232b1 between the respective pyramidal surface portions 232aB and the respective pyramidal surface portions 232aC adjacent to each other has a convex curved cross-sectional shape (specifically, a single circular arc-shaped cross-sectional shape). In addition, ridge line portions 232b2 between the respective pyramidal surface portions 232aC and the respective pyramidal surface portions 232aA positioned on both sides thereof also have a convex curved cross-sectional shape (specifically, a single circular arc-shaped cross-sectional shape).

  As shown in FIG. 12, the boundary portion 234 between each of the protrusions 232 in each of the three directions in which the plurality of protrusions 232 extend has a concave-curved cross-sectional shape (specifically, a single arc-shaped cross-sectional shape )have.

  Also in the present embodiment, the diameter of the circumscribed circle of the bottom surface (the portion surrounded by six alternate long and two short dashes lines in FIG. 12) of each protrusion 232 is 1 mm or less (for example, about 0.5 mm). It is set.

  The width of each boundary portion 134 is set to 0.01 to 1 times (e.g., about 0.05 times) the diameter. Further, in each of the boundary portions 134, the radius of the arc forming the concave curve cross-sectional shape is set to a value of 0.001 to 0.5 mm (for example, about 0.03 mm).

  FIG. 14 is a front view showing a lighting unit 210 according to the present embodiment in a lighting state.

  As shown in the figure, in the light transmission plate 230, similarly to the light transmission plate 30 of the first embodiment, six spot-like areas B6 on the same circumference appear bright at equal intervals, and The six spot-like regions B7 located at a half pitch offset in the circumferential direction with respect to the six spot-like regions B6 and located closer to the axis Ax also appear bright.

  Furthermore, three band-like regions B8 connecting the two spot-like regions B6 so that the six spot-like regions B6 pass through the position of the axis Ax, and two spot-like regions B7 so that the six spot-like regions B7 pass the position of the axis Ax The three band-like areas B9 connected and the twelve band-like areas B10 connecting the spot-like areas B6 and B7 adjacent to each other also appear to glow.

  The six spot-like regions B6 are formed by light emitted from the six pyramidal surface parts 232aA. Further, the six spot-like regions B7 are formed by the emitted light from the six pyramidal surface parts 232aB and the six pyramidal surface parts 232aC.

  The three band-like regions B8 are formed by diffused light emitted from the boundary portion 234 extending in three directions, and the three band-like regions B9 are formed by diffused light emitted from the six ridge portions 232b1, and 12 band-like regions B10 is formed by diffused light emitted from twelve ridge portions 232b2.

  By adopting the configuration of this embodiment, when the illumination unit 210 is turned on, more spots appear bright as spot-like areas B6 and B7 as compared to the case of the first embodiment, and A large number of band-like regions B8, B9, B10 can be made to appear to be lighted, and this makes it possible to have more novelty in how they look when lit.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing a light transmission plate 330 of the illumination unit according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 16 is a view taken in the direction of arrow XVI in FIG.

  As shown in these figures, the light transmission plate 330 according to the present embodiment also has a rear surface 330 b formed in a planar shape and a plurality of protrusions 332 on the front surface 330 a as in the first embodiment. Is formed continuously in three directions, but the shape of each protrusion 332 is different from that in the first embodiment.

  That is, in the present embodiment, each protrusion 332 is formed of a conical surface portion 332 a having a conical shape, and the apex angle thereof is set to a value of about 60 to 70 °.

  In addition, the boundary portion 334 between each of the protrusions 332 in each of the three directions in which the plurality of protrusions 332 extend has a concave curve cross section (specifically, a single arc cross section). ing.

  Also in the present embodiment, only light emitted from the light emitting element 20 at a predetermined angle θ2 (or an angle close thereto) with respect to the axis Ax is emitted from the light transmitting plate 330 in the front direction (or a direction close thereto). It becomes. At this time, light is emitted from the light transmission plate 330 under the same conditions all around the axis Ax since the respective projections 332 are formed in a conical shape.

  Also in the present embodiment, the diameter D2 of the circumscribed circle C2 of the bottom surface (the portion surrounded by six alternate long and two short dashes lines in FIG. 12) of each protrusion 232 is a value of 1 mm or less (for example, about 0.5 mm) Is set to).

  The width W2 of each boundary portion 134 is set to 0.01 to 1 times (e.g., about 0.05 times) the diameter D2. Further, in each of the boundary portions 134, the radius R2 of the arc forming the concave curve cross-sectional shape is set to a value of 0.001 to 0.5 mm (for example, about 0.03 mm).

  FIG. 17 is a front view showing a lighting unit 310 according to the present embodiment in a lighting state.

  As shown in the figure, in the light transmission plate 330, the annular area B11 centered on the axis Ax appears bright and bright, and the annular area B11 is connected in a spoke shape so as to pass through the position of the axis Ax The three beltlike regions B12 also appear to glow.

  The annular area B11 is formed by light emitted at a predetermined angle θ2 (or an angle close thereto) with respect to the axis Ax, and the three strip areas B12 are formed by diffused light emitted from the boundary portion 334 extending in three directions. Be done.

  By adopting the configuration of the present embodiment, when the lighting unit 310 is turned on, the light transmission plate 330 appears brightly luminous in an annular pattern that is completely different from the case of the first embodiment, and the inner circumferential side thereof The area of the light source can be made to appear in the form of spokes, which makes it possible to have more novelty in how it looks when lit.

  In the fourth embodiment, each protrusion 332 has been described as being formed of a conical pyramidal surface portion 332a, but as shown in FIG. It is also possible to employ a projection 432 composed of three conical pyramidal surfaces 432a1, 432a2 and 432a3 with a small apex angle.

  When such a configuration is adopted, as shown in FIG. 18B, three annular areas B13, B14 and B15 can be made to appear concentrically brightly visible centering on the axis Ax .

  At this time, if the boundary between each of the protrusions 432 in each of the three directions in which the plurality of protrusions 432 extend is configured to have a cross-sectional shape in the form of a concave curve, triple annular regions B13, B14, B15. The three band-like regions B16 connecting in the form of spokes can also be made to appear to shine through the position of the axis Ax.

  Moreover, as shown to Fig.19 (a), it is also possible for the projection part 532 to be comprised by the pyramid surface part 532a of elliptical cone shape.

  In the case of adopting such a configuration, when the protrusion 532 is arranged to be horizontally long, as shown in FIG. 19B, a vertically long elliptical annular region B17 centered on the axis line Ax looks bright and glows Can be

  At that time, if the boundary portion between each of the protrusions 532 in each of the three directions in which the plurality of protrusions 532 extend has a concave curve cross section, the elliptical annular region B17 passes the position of the axis Ax In this way, the three band-like regions B 18 connected in the form of spokes can also be made to appear to glow.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 20 is a side sectional view showing a lighting unit 610 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 21 is a detailed view of a portion XXI in FIG.

  As shown in these figures, the illumination unit 610 according to this embodiment also has the same basic configuration as that of the first embodiment, but the light transmission plate 630 is the light transmission of the first embodiment. This embodiment is different from the case of the first embodiment in that the plate 30 is arranged with the back and front sides reversed, and a pair of upper and lower light emitting elements 620 are additionally arranged in the vicinity of the rear of the holder 16. ing.

  The configuration itself of the light transmission plate 630 is the same as that of the light transmission plate 30 of the first embodiment, but the back surface 30b of the light transmission plate 30 constitutes the front surface 630a because the back surface is reversed. The front surface 30a of the light transmitting plate 30 constitutes a rear surface 630b, and a projection 632 similar to the protrusion 32 of the light transmitting plate 30 is formed on the rear surface 630b.

  As described above, since the light transmitting plate 630 is disposed on the front and back of the light transmitting plate 30 of the first embodiment, the light emitted from the light emitting element 20 is emitted from the light transmitting plate 630 in the front direction in side view The predetermined angle θ3 is a value smaller than the predetermined angle θ1 of the first embodiment.

  The pair of upper and lower light emitting elements 620 are disposed toward the axis Ax immediately above and below the axis Ax. Each of the light emitting elements 620 is supported by the lamp body 12.

  Since each light emitting element 620 is disposed in the vicinity of the rear of the light transmission plate 630, when the emitted light reaches the rear surface 630 b of the light transmission plate 630, it enters the light transmission plate 630 from any of the protrusions 632 The light is internally reflected by total internal reflection at the conical surface portion of the projection 632 and is emitted forward from the front surface 630 a of the light transmission plate 630.

  Even when the configuration of the present embodiment is adopted, substantially the same effects and advantages as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the appearance of the light transmitting plate 630 can be made different from that in the first embodiment by the additional lighting of each light emitting element 620.

  At that time, when each light emitting element 620 is turned on, the light path length from the light emitting element 620 becomes longer as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Become. Therefore, it is possible to give a sense of depth to how the light transmitting plate 630 looks.

  The numerical values shown as specifications in each of the above-described embodiments and the modifications thereof are merely examples, and it goes without saying that these may be set to different values as appropriate.

  Moreover, this invention is not limited to the structure described in said each embodiment and its modification example, The structure which added the various change except this is employable.

10, 110, 210, 310, 610 Lighting Unit 12 Lamp Body 14 Outer Cover 16 Holder 20 Light Emitting Element (Light Source)
22 substrate 30, 130, 230, 330, 630 light transmitting plate 30a, 230a, 330a, 630a front surface 30b, 330b, 630b rear surface 32, 32A, 32B, 132, 132A, 132B, 232, 332, 432, 532, 632 protrusion Part 32a, 32Aa1, 32Aa2, 32Aa3, 32Ba1, 32Ba2, 32Ba3, 132Aa1, 132Aa2, 132Aa2, 132Aa1, 132Ba1, 132Ba2, 132Ba3, 232aA, 232aB, 232aC, pyramidal surface part 34, 34A, 34B, 34C, 234b, 334b , 132Ab, 132Ab2, 132Ab3, 132Bb1, 132Bb2, 132Bb3, 232b1, 232b2 ridge portions 332a, 432a1, 432a2, 432a3, 53 2a Conical surface portion 620 Light emitting element Ax Axis B1a, B1b, B2a, B2b, B3a, B3b, B6, B7 Spot-like area B4a, B4b, B4c, B5a, B5b, B5c, B5d, B5e, B5f, B9, B10 B12, B16, B18 Striped regions B11, B13, B14, B15 Annular annular region B17 Elliptic annular region C Curve C1, C2 circumscribed circle D1, D2 Diameter L Straight line R1 radius W1, W2 width θ1, θ2, θ3 predetermined angle

Claims (4)

In a lighting unit comprising a light source and a light transmitting plate disposed in front of the light source,
The lighting unit is a vehicle lamp, and the light source and the light transmitting plate are accommodated in a lamp chamber formed of a lamp body and a transparent outer cover.
The light source is a light emitting diode,
A plurality of protrusions having a conical surface are formed on the surface of the light transmitting plate,
The plurality of protrusions are continuously formed in a plurality of directions intersecting each other on the surface,
An illumination unit, wherein a boundary between the protrusions in each direction has a cross-sectional shape of a concave curve or a concave polygon. The diameter of the circumscribed circle of the bottom surface of each of the protrusions is set to a value of 1 mm or less,
The lighting unit according to claim 1, wherein the width of each of the boundary portions is set to a value 0.01 to 1 times the diameter.   The lighting unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the boundary portions has a concave curved cross-sectional shape with a radius of 0.00003 to 1 mm. In a lighting unit comprising a light source and a light transmitting plate disposed in front of the light source,
The lighting unit is a vehicle lamp, and the light source and the light transmitting plate are accommodated in a lamp chamber formed of a lamp body and a transparent outer cover.
The light source is a light emitting diode,
A plurality of projections having a pyramidal surface are formed on the surface of the light transmitting plate,
The plurality of protrusions are continuously formed in a plurality of directions intersecting each other on the surface,
At least one part of the ridgeline part between each pyramid surface part in each said projection part has the cross-sectional shape of convex curve shape or convex polygon shape, The illumination unit characterized by the above-mentioned.

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