JP7675573B2 - Vehicle signal lamp and lens body - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle signal lamp and a lens body, and in particular to a vehicle signal lamp and a lens body that can suppress the occurrence of an area (dark area) where no light is emitted between a first light-emitting surface and a second light-emitting surface.

A vehicle signal lamp including a lens body and a light source is known (see, for example, FIG. 8 of Patent Document 1). The lens body includes a lens body and a light guide section extending rearward from an end of the lens body via a folded section. The lens body includes a first light output surface from which light from the light source that entered the lens body exits. The folded section includes a total reflection surface that totally reflects a portion of the light from the light source that entered the lens body. The light guide section includes a second light output surface from which light that is totally reflected by the total reflection surface and folded back and guided by the light guide section exits.

JP 2018-41711 A

However, in Patent Document 1, because the total reflection surface is disposed between the first light exit surface and the second light exit surface, there is a problem in that an area (dark area) where no light is emitted occurs between the first light exit surface and the second light exit surface.

The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and aims to provide a vehicle signal lamp and lens body that can prevent the occurrence of areas (dark areas) between the first light-emitting surface and the second light-emitting surface from which light is not emitted.

A vehicle signal lamp according to the present invention is a vehicle signal lamp including a first light source that emits a first light, a second light source that is arranged inwardly relative to the first light source and emits a second light, and a lens body that is arranged in front of the first light source and the second light source, wherein the lens body includes a lens body, a light entrance portion that is arranged at an end of the lens body and in front of the first light source, and a light guiding portion that extends rearward from the light entrance portion via a folding portion, wherein the folding portion includes a first light exit surface from which a portion of the first light that enters from the light entrance portion exits, and a total reflection surface that totally reflects another portion of the first light that enters from the light entrance portion, and the light guiding portion includes a second light exit surface from which the other portion of the light that is folded back by being totally reflected by the total reflection surface and guided by the light guiding portion exits, and the total reflection surface is arranged between the first light exit surface and the second light exit surface, and a portion of the second light that enters from the light entrance portion exits from the total reflection surface.

This configuration can prevent the occurrence of areas (dark areas) between the first and second light-emitting surfaces where no light is emitted.

This is because the light emitted by the second light source and entering through the light entrance section exits from the total reflection surface located between the first light exit surface and the second light exit surface.

In addition, in the above-mentioned vehicle signal lamp, of the second light emitted by the second light source, light in a narrow angle direction with respect to the optical axis of the second light source may be transmitted through the lens body and irradiated forward, and light in a wide angle direction with respect to the optical axis of the second light source may enter from the light entrance portion and exit from the total reflection surface.

In addition, in the above-mentioned vehicle signal lamp, the light entrance section may be configured as a cap-type light entrance section so that the first light emitted by the first light source enters, and at least a part of the cap-type light entrance section on the second light source side may be cut off so that the second light emitted by the second light source enters in a wide-angle direction with respect to the optical axis of the second light source.

In addition, in the above-mentioned vehicle signal lamp, the lens body may include an additional light entrance section that is disposed inward of the light entrance section and through which light emitted from the second light source enters in a wide-angle direction with respect to the optical axis of the second light source.

In addition, in the vehicle signal lamp described above, the lens body may include a transmission portion provided between the light entrance portion and an end portion of the lens body, through which a portion of the light emitted by the second light source passes.

In addition, in the above-mentioned vehicle signal lamp, the total reflection surface may include a first total reflection surface and a second total reflection surface arranged in a V-shaped opening toward the rear, the first total reflection surface and the second total reflection surface may return the other part of the first light entering from the light entrance portion by totally reflecting it in this order, and the first light exit surface may be arranged between the first total reflection surface and the second total reflection surface.

The lens body according to the present invention is a lens body that includes a first light source that emits a first light, and a second light source that is disposed on the inside of the first light source and emits a second light. The lens body includes a lens body, a light entrance section that is disposed at an end of the lens body and in front of the first light source, and a light guide section that extends rearward from the light entrance section via a folding section. The folding section includes a first light exit surface from which a portion of the first light that enters from the light entrance section exits, and a total reflection surface that totally reflects another portion of the first light that enters from the light entrance section. The light guide section includes a second light exit surface from which the other portion of the light that is folded back by being totally reflected by the total reflection surface and guided by the light guide section exits. The total reflection surface is disposed between the first light exit surface and the second light exit surface, and a portion of the second light that enters from the light entrance section exits from the total reflection surface.

This configuration can prevent the occurrence of areas (dark areas) between the first and second light-emitting surfaces where no light is emitted.

This is because the light emitted by the second light source and entering through the light entrance section exits from the total reflection surface located between the first light exit surface and the second light exit surface.

The present invention provides a vehicle signal lamp and lens body that can prevent the occurrence of areas (dark areas) between the first light-emitting surface and the second light-emitting surface where no light is emitted.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a vehicle signal lamp. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1.

Hereinafter, a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, corresponding components are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

The vehicle lamp of this embodiment is a vehicle signal lamp that functions as a stop lamp and a tail lamp, and is mounted on the rear end of a vehicle (not shown) such as a motorcycle. Note that the vehicle is not limited to a motorcycle, and may be a four-wheeled vehicle such as an automobile.

Figure 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a vehicle signal lamp, and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 1.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle signal lamp 10 includes a first light source 30A, a second light source 30B, and a lens body 20 disposed in front of the first light source 30A and the second light source 30B. For ease of explanation, XYZ axes are defined below as shown in Figure 2. The X axis extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The Y axis extends in the vehicle width direction. The Z axis extends in the vertical direction.

The lens body 20 is made of a transparent resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate, and includes a lens body 21, a light entrance section 22, a light guide section 23, an additional light entrance section 24, and a transmission section 25.

The lens body 21 is a plate-shaped lens portion that has a thickness in the X direction.

The light entrance portion 22 is located at the end of the lens body 21 (the outer end in the vehicle width direction) and in front of the first light source 30A.

The light entrance section 22 is configured as a cap-type light entrance section so that the first light Ray1 emitted by the first light source 30A enters.

Specifically, the light entrance section 22 is a cap-type light entrance section including a central light entrance surface 22a, a cylindrical peripheral light entrance surface 22b extending from the outer periphery of the central light entrance surface 22a toward the first light source 30A, and a cylindrical peripheral reflection surface 22c disposed outside the peripheral light entrance surface 22b. However, the light entrance section 22 is not a complete cap type, but is configured as a cap-type light entrance section in a shape in which a part on the second light source 30B side is cut off so that the second light Ray2 emitted by the second light source 30B (light Ray2a in a wide-angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX _30B of the second light source 30B) enters from the side.

The central light entrance surface 22a is a convex lens surface (a convex lens surface convex toward the first light source 30A) that is rotationally symmetric with respect to the optical axis _AX22 of the light entrance section 22, and has a focal point set in the vicinity of the first light source 30A (the center of the light emitting surface). The central light entrance surface 22a converts (collimates) the light from the first light source 30A that enters through the central light entrance surface 22a into light parallel to the optical axis _AX22 of the light entrance section 22.

The optical axis AX ₂₂ of the light entrance portion 22 extends in the X-direction. The optical axis AX ₂₂ of the light entrance portion 22 and the optical axis AX _30A of the first light source 30A coincide with each other.

The peripheral reflecting surface 22c is a total reflecting surface having a parabolic shape that is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the optical axis _AX22 of the light entering portion 22. The peripheral reflecting surface 22c is designed in such a shape that the light from the first light source 30A that is refracted and enters through the peripheral light entering surface 22b and is totally reflected by the peripheral reflecting surface 22c is converted (collimated) into light parallel to the optical axis _AX22 of the light entering portion 22.

The light guide section 23 extends rearward from the light entrance section 22 via the folded section 26.

The folding section 26 includes a first light exit surface 26a from which a portion of the first light Ray1 entering from the light entrance section 22, Ray1a, exits, and a pair of total reflection surfaces 26b, 26c (hereinafter also referred to as the first total reflection surface 26b and the second total reflection surface 26c) that totally reflect the other portion of the first light Ray1 entering from the light entrance section 22, Ray1b.

The pair of total reflection surfaces 26b, 26c are arranged in a V-shape that opens toward the rear (upward in FIG. 2). The first light exit surface 26a is arranged in front of the light entrance section 22 and between the first total reflection surface 26b and the second total reflection surface 26c (at a location corresponding to the bottom of the V) so that a portion of the light Ray1 entering from the light entrance section 22, Ray1a, exits.

The first total reflection surface 26b is disposed in front of the light incident portion 22 and between the first light exit surface 26a and the optical axis _AX22 of the light incident portion 22 so that another part of the light Ray1 incident from the light incident portion 22, that is, the light Ray1b, is incident on the first total reflection surface 26b. At this time, the first total reflection surface 26b is disposed in an inclined state so that the light Ray1b incident on the first total reflection surface 26b is totally reflected toward the second total reflection surface 26c.

The second total reflection surface 26c is disposed on the outside (outside in the vehicle width direction) of the first total reflection surface 26b. In this case, the second total reflection surface 26c is disposed in an inclined state so that the light Ray1b from the first total reflection surface 26b that is incident on the second total reflection surface 26c is totally reflected toward the light guide section 23.

The light guide section 23 includes a second light output surface 23a from which light Ray1b is guided by the light guide section 23 after being totally reflected by the first total reflection surface 26b and the second total reflection surface 26c in this order and folded back.

Specifically, the light guide 23 is a plate-shaped light guide (light guide plate) and includes a second light output surface 23a (outer surface) arranged on the outer side (outer side in the vehicle width direction) and an inner surface 23b arranged on the opposite inner side (inner side in the vehicle width direction). The inner surface 23b includes optical elements LC (multiple). The optical elements LC are optical elements for diffusively reflecting light Ray1b from the second total reflection surface 26c that is guided inside the light guide 23 and enters the inner surface 23b, and outputting it from the second light output surface 23a, and are, for example, V-grooves (multiple) extending in the Z direction.

The second total reflection surface 26c is disposed between the first light exit surface 26a and the second light exit surface 23a.

The additional light incident portion 24 is disposed on the inner side (inner side in the vehicle width direction) of the light incident portion 22 so that the light Ray 2b in the wide angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX _30B of the second light source 30B among the second light Ray 2 emitted by the second light source 30B is incident. The light Ray 2b incident from the additional light incident portion 24 is output from the second total reflection surface 26c.

The additional light entrance section 24 is, for example, a planar light entrance surface arranged in a state inclined at an angle θ with respect to the optical axis AX22 of the light entrance section _22. The angle θ is an angle that is considered so that the light Ray2b entering from the additional light entrance section 24 exits from the second total reflection surface 26c. The angle θ can be found, for example, by using a predetermined simulation software. Note that the additional light entrance section 24 is not limited to a planar light entrance surface, and may have any shape as long as the light entering from the additional light entrance section 24 exits from the second total reflection surface 26c.

The transmitting portion 25 is a portion through which the light Ray 2c in the wide angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX _30B of the second light source 30B, out of the light Ray 2 emitted by the second light source 30B, is transmitted. The transmitting portion 25 is provided between the light entering portion 22 and an end portion (an outer end portion in the vehicle width direction) of the lens body 21.

The first light source 30A and the second light source 30B are semiconductor light-emitting elements such as LEDs that emit red light. The first light source 30A and the second light source 30B have a light-emitting surface (e.g., a rectangular light-emitting surface of 1 mm square). The first light source 30A and the second light source 30B are mounted on a board 40 attached to a housing (not shown) or the like. The second light source 30B is mounted on the inside of the first light source 30A. For design reasons, the first light source 30A is mounted at a different height from the second light source 30B (see FIG. 1), but may be mounted at the same height as the second light source 30B.

In the vehicle signal lamp 10 configured as described above, a tail lamp is realized by simultaneously lighting the first light source 30A and the second light source 30B.

As shown in FIG. 2, the light Ray1 emitted by the first light source 30A follows the following optical path. That is, a portion of the light Ray1 entering from the light entrance section 22, light Ray1a (mainly light entering from the peripheral light entrance surface 22b and totally reflected by the peripheral reflection surface 22c), exits from the first light exit surface 26a. The light Ray1a exiting from the first light exit surface 26a is irradiated forward (downward in FIG. 2).

In addition, the other part of the light Ray1 entering from the light entrance section 22, namely, light Ray1b, is turned back by being totally reflected in this order by the first total reflection surface 26b and the second total reflection surface 26c, is guided through the light guide section 23, is diffusely reflected by the inner surface 23b (multiple optical elements LC), and exits from the second light exit surface 23a. The light Ray1b exiting from the second light exit surface 23a is irradiated to the side.

In addition, the light Ray1 emitted by the first light source 30A that does not enter the light entrance section 22, i.e., the light that passes inside the light entrance section 22 (the cut portion of the light entrance section 22) (not shown), passes through the lens body 21 and is irradiated forward (downward in FIG. 2).

On the other hand, the light Ray2 emitted by the second light source 30B follows the following optical path. That is, of the light Ray2 emitted by the second light source 30B, the light Ray2a in the wide-angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX _30B of the second light source 30B passes inside the light entrance portion 22 (the cut portion of the light entrance portion 22) and enters the light entrance portion 22 (side). Also, the light Ray2b in the wide-angle direction emitted by the second light source 30B enters from the additional light entrance portion 24.

The light rays 2a and 2b entering from the light entrance section 22 and the additional light entrance section 24 follow various optical paths as shown in FIG. 2 and exit from the second total reflection surface 26c. The light rays 2a and 2b exiting from the second total reflection surface 26c are irradiated diagonally forward (diagonally downward and to the left in FIG. 2). Specifically, the light Ray 2a exiting from the second total reflection surface 26c irradiates the range between the light Ray 1a exiting from the first light exit surface 26a and irradiated forward, and the light Ray 1b exiting from the second light exit surface 23a and irradiated to the side.

In addition, the wide-angle light Ray 2c emitted by the second light source 30B passes through the transmission portion 25 and is irradiated diagonally forward (diagonally downward and left in FIG. 2).

Further, of the light Ray2 emitted by the second light source 30B, a light Ray2d in a direction forming a narrow angle with respect to the optical axis _AX30B of the second light source 30B passes through the lens body 21 and is irradiated forward (downward in FIG. 2).

As described above, the tail lamp is realized by the light Ray 1a, 1b, Ray 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d emitted from the lens body 20. At that time, the light Ray 2a and 2b that enters from the light entrance section 22 (side) and the additional light entrance section 24 exits from the second total reflection surface 26c arranged between the first light exit surface 26a and the second light exit surface 23a, so that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an area where no light is emitted between the first light exit surface 26a and the second light exit surface 23a.

In addition, in the vehicle signal lamp 10 configured as described above, the first light source 30A and the second light source 30B are simultaneously turned on at a higher luminous intensity in response to braking, thereby realizing a stop lamp. In this case, the optical paths traveled by the light emitted by the first light source 30A and the light emitted by the second light source 30B are the same as those in the tail lamp, and therefore will not be described here.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an area (dark area) where no light is emitted between the first light-emitting surface 26a and the second light-emitting surface 23a. This makes it possible to achieve the appearance that the first light-emitting surface 26a and the second light-emitting surface 23a are connected and emit light.

This is because the light rays 2a and 2b emitted by the second light source 30B and entering through the light entrance section 22 (side) and the additional light entrance section 24 exit from the second total reflection surface 26c located between the first light exit surface 26a and the second light exit surface 23a.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the occurrence of an area where no light is emitted between the first light emitting surface 26a and the second light emitting surface 23a can be suppressed, improving the appearance (design) when lit. Also, the visibility of the vehicle signal lamp 10 when viewed from the rear of the vehicle is improved. Also, the lens body 20 can be visually perceived as emitting light uniformly.

In addition, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the light irradiated diagonally forward (to the lower left in FIG. 2) from becoming weaker compared to the forward direction (to the lower left in FIG. 2) where the light emitted from the first light-emitting surface 26a is irradiated and the side direction (to the left in FIG. 2) where the light emitted from the second light-emitting surface 23a is irradiated.

This is because the light rays 2a and 2b emitted from the second total reflection surface 26c irradiate the area between the light Ray 1a emitted from the first light emitting surface 26a and irradiated forward and the light Ray 1b emitted from the second light emitting surface 23a and irradiated to the side.

Next, we will explain the modified example.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the vehicle signal lamp of the present invention is applied to a vehicle signal lamp that functions as a stop lamp and a tail lamp, but this is not limited to this. For example, the vehicle signal lamp of the present invention may be applied to a turn lamp, a position lamp, and various other vehicle signal lamps.

All the numerical values shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and it goes without saying that other appropriate numerical values can be used.

The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects. The present invention should not be construed as being limited by the description of the above-described embodiments. The present invention can be embodied in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main characteristics thereof.

10...vehicle signal lamp, 20...lens body, 21...lens body, 22...light entrance portion, 22a...central light entrance surface, 22b...peripheral light entrance surface, 22c...peripheral reflection surface, 23...light guide portion, 23a...second light exit surface, 23b...inner surface, 24...additional light entrance portion, 25...transmitting portion, 26...folding portion, 26a...first light exit surface, 26b...first total reflection surface, 26c...second total reflection surface, 30A...first light source, 30B...second light source, 40...substrate, AX _22a , AX _30A ...optical axis, AX _30B ...optical axis, LC...optical element

Claims (7)

A signal lamp for a vehicle comprising: a first light source that emits a first light; a second light source that is disposed on an inner side of the first light source and emits a second light; and a lens body that is disposed in front of the first light source and the second light source,
The lens body includes a lens body, a light entrance portion disposed at an end of the lens body and in front of the first light source, and a light guide portion extending rearward from the light entrance portion via a folded portion,
the folding portion includes a first light exit surface from which a portion of the first light incident from the light incident portion exits, and a total reflection surface that totally reflects another portion of the first light incident from the light incident portion,
the light guiding portion includes a second light output surface from which the other part of the light guided by the light guiding portion is turned back by being totally reflected by the total reflection surface and output;
the total reflection surface is disposed between the first light exit surface and the second light exit surface,
A part of the second light incident from the light incident portion is output from the total reflection surface,
Of the second light emitted by the second light source, light in a narrow angle direction with respect to the optical axis of the second light source is transmitted through the lens body and irradiated forward, and light in a wide angle direction with respect to the optical axis of the second light source enters from the light entrance portion and exits from the total reflection surface,
The light entrance portion is configured as a cap-type light entrance portion so that the first light emitted by the first light source enters, and at least a portion of the cap-type light entrance portion on the second light source side is cut off so that the second light emitted by the second light source enters in a wide-angle direction with respect to the optical axis of the second light source . A signal lamp for a vehicle comprising: a first light source that emits a first light; a second light source that is disposed on an inner side of the first light source and emits a second light; and a lens body that is disposed in front of the first light source and the second light source,
The lens body includes a lens body, a light entrance portion disposed at an end of the lens body and in front of the first light source, and a light guide portion extending rearward from the light entrance portion via a folded portion,
the folding portion includes a first light exit surface from which a portion of the first light incident from the light incident portion exits, and a total reflection surface that totally reflects another portion of the first light incident from the light incident portion,
the light guiding portion includes a second light output surface from which the other part of the light guided by the light guiding portion is turned back by being totally reflected by the total reflection surface and output;
the total reflection surface is disposed between the first light exit surface and the second light exit surface,
A part of the second light incident from the light incident portion is output from the total reflection surface,
Of the second light emitted by the second light source, light in a narrow angle direction with respect to the optical axis of the second light source is transmitted through the lens body and irradiated forward, and light in a wide angle direction with respect to the optical axis of the second light source enters from the light entrance portion and exits from the total reflection surface,
The lens body is arranged on the inside of the light entrance portion, and includes an additional light entrance portion through which light of the second light emitted by the second light source, which is in a wide-angle direction with respect to the optical axis of the second light source, enters the vehicle signal lamp. A signal lamp for a vehicle comprising: a first light source that emits a first light; a second light source that is disposed inwardly of the first light source and emits a second light; and a lens body that is disposed in front of the first light source and the second light source,
The lens body includes a lens body, a light entrance portion disposed at an end of the lens body and in front of the first light source, and a light guide portion extending rearward from the light entrance portion via a folded portion,
the folding portion includes a first light exit surface from which a portion of the first light incident from the light incident portion exits, and a total reflection surface that totally reflects another portion of the first light incident from the light incident portion,
the light guiding portion includes a second light output surface from which the other part of the light guided by the light guiding portion is turned back by being totally reflected by the total reflection surface and output;
the total reflection surface is disposed between the first light exit surface and the second light exit surface,
A part of the second light incident from the light incident portion is output from the total reflection surface,
The lens body is provided between the light entrance portion and an end portion of the lens main body, and includes a transmission portion through which a portion of the light emitted by the second light source passes . A signal lamp for a vehicle comprising: a first light source that emits a first light; a second light source that is disposed inwardly of the first light source and emits a second light; and a lens body that is disposed in front of the first light source and the second light source,
The lens body includes a lens body, a light entrance portion disposed at an end of the lens body and in front of the first light source, and a light guide portion extending rearward from the light entrance portion via a folded portion,
the folding portion includes a first light exit surface from which a portion of the first light incident from the light incident portion exits, and a total reflection surface that totally reflects another portion of the first light incident from the light incident portion,
the light guiding portion includes a second light output surface from which the other part of the light guided by the light guiding portion is turned back by being totally reflected by the total reflection surface and output;
the total reflection surface is disposed between the first light exit surface and the second light exit surface,
A part of the second light incident from the light incident portion is output from the total reflection surface,
The total reflection surface includes a first total reflection surface and a second total reflection surface arranged in a V-shaped opening toward the rear,
the first total reflection surface and the second total reflection surface totally reflect, in this order, the other part of the first light incident from the light incident portion, thereby folding back the other part of the first light;
The first light output surface is disposed between the first total reflection surface and the second total reflection surface . 5. The vehicle signal lamp according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, of the second light emitted by the second light source, light in a narrow angle direction with respect to the optical axis of the second light source is transmitted through the lens body and irradiated forward, and light in a wide angle direction with respect to the optical axis of the second light source enters from the light entrance portion and exits from the total reflection surface . 6. The vehicle signal lamp according to claim 5, wherein the light entering portion is configured as a cap-type light entering portion so that the first light emitted by the first light source enters, and the cap-type light entering portion is configured as a light entering portion having a shape in which at least a portion of the cap-type light entering portion on the second light source side is cut off so that light emitted by the second light source in a wide-angle direction with respect to the optical axis of the second light source enters . 7. The vehicle signal lamp according to claim 1, wherein the lens body includes an additional light entrance portion arranged on an inner side of the light entrance portion and through which light of the second light emitted by the second light source in a wide-angle direction with respect to an optical axis of the second light source enters .

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