JP7797350B2 - drawing lamp - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a drawing lighting fixture configured to form a drawing light distribution pattern.

Conventionally, lighting fixtures for forming a light distribution pattern for drawing (i.e., a light distribution pattern for drawing letters, symbols, etc. on the road surface in front of the lighting fixture) have been known that are configured to project light emitted from a light-emitting element toward the front of the lighting fixture via a projection lens.

In such drawing lighting fixtures, a light blocking plate is placed between the light-emitting element and the projection lens to block a portion of the light traveling from the light-emitting element to the projection lens, and the shape of the opening formed in this light blocking plate is projected by the projection lens to form a drawing light distribution pattern.

Patent Document 1 describes a light blocking plate for an in-vehicle drawing lamp that has multiple openings formed in multiple locations spaced apart in the vertical direction.

International Publication No. 2022/019231

By forming a light distribution pattern using light emitted from an in-vehicle lighting fixture, the vehicle's intentions can be communicated to those around it when driving at night, thereby drawing the attention of other vehicles and pedestrians.

In this case, if the light blocking plate is configured with multiple openings spaced apart in the vertical direction, as in the drawing lighting fixture described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the drawing light distribution pattern will be formed in a series facing forward of the lighting fixture, thereby making it possible to increase the effectiveness of calling attention to those in the surrounding area.

However, if such a configuration is adopted, the vertical width of the portions of the light blocking plate located between the openings will be narrow, and its rigidity will likely decrease, making it difficult to maintain the desired opening shape and therefore difficult to form multiple drawing light distribution patterns in series and close to each other.

The present invention was made in light of these circumstances, and aims to provide a drawing lighting fixture that is configured to form a drawing light distribution pattern and that can form multiple drawing light distribution patterns in series and close to each other.

The present invention aims to achieve the above objective by devising an arrangement and configuration for the projection lens and light shielding plate.

That is, the drawing lamp according to the present invention is:
A drawing lamp configured to form a drawing light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a light-emitting element forward through a projection lens,
a light blocking plate is disposed between the light emitting element and the projection lens to block a part of the light traveling from the light emitting element to the projection lens;
The projection lens is configured such that the first and second projection lens portions are arranged side by side in a required direction intersecting the front-rear direction of the lamp,
A plurality of openings are formed in the light blocking plate,
the light-blocking plate includes, as the plurality of openings, a plurality of first openings arranged at intervals in a direction intersecting the required direction on the rear side of the lamp of the first projection lens unit, and at least one second opening arranged on the rear side of the lamp of the second projection lens unit,
The light-emitting elements include first light-emitting elements arranged on the rear side of the lamp of the plurality of first openings, and second light-emitting elements arranged on the rear side of the lamp of the at least one second opening,
The arrangement of the first projection lens unit and the plurality of first openings, and the arrangement of the second projection lens unit and the at least one second opening are set so that each of the plurality of first drawing light distribution patterns formed by the light emitted from the first light-emitting element incident on the first projection lens unit through the plurality of first openings, and each of the at least one second drawing light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the second light-emitting element incident on the second projection lens unit through the at least one second opening, are alternately formed in a serial arrangement.

The above-mentioned "drawing lamp" may be a lamp for use in a vehicle, or may be a lamp for use in a non-vehicle application.

The "light shielding plate" is not particularly limited in its specific location, as long as it is configured to block a portion of the light traveling from the light-emitting element to the projection lens, between the light-emitting element and the projection lens.

The "arrangement of the first projection lens unit and the plurality of first openings, and the arrangement of the second projection lens unit and the at least one second opening" is not particularly limited in terms of its specific arrangement, as long as it allows the "each of the plurality of first drawing light distribution patterns" and the "each of the at least one second drawing light distribution pattern" to be formed alternately in a series arrangement.

For example, possible configurations to achieve this include a configuration in which the optical axis of the first projection lens unit and the optical axis of the second projection lens unit are arranged parallel to each other, and the amount of displacement from the optical axis of the first projection lens unit of the multiple first openings and the amount of displacement from the optical axis of the second projection lens unit of at least one second opening are set to different values in a direction intersecting the required direction; or a configuration in which the amount of displacement from the optical axis of the first projection lens unit of the multiple first openings and the amount of displacement from the optical axis of the second projection lens unit of at least one second opening are set to the same value in a direction intersecting the required direction, and the optical axis of the first projection lens unit and the optical axis of the second projection lens unit are arranged at different inclination angles in a direction intersecting the required direction.

The drawing lamp of the present invention is configured to form a drawing light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a light-emitting element toward the front of the lamp through a light-blocking plate and a projection lens. The projection lens is configured so that first and second projection lens sections are aligned in a required direction intersecting the fore-and-aft direction of the lamp. Furthermore, a plurality of first openings are formed at intervals in a direction intersecting the required direction on the rear side of the first projection lens section of the light-blocking plate, and at least one second opening is formed on the rear side of the lamp in the second projection lens section. Furthermore, a first light-emitting element is arranged on the rear side of the first opening, and a second light-emitting element is arranged on the rear side of at least one second opening, thereby achieving the following effects.

In other words, multiple first drawing light distribution patterns can be formed as inverted projection images of the multiple first openings by the light emitted from the first light-emitting element and incident on the first projection lens unit through multiple first openings, and at least one second drawing light distribution pattern can be formed as an inverted projection image of at least one second opening by the light emitted from the second light-emitting element and incident on the second projection lens unit through at least one second opening, thereby alerting other vehicles, pedestrians, etc.

In addition, the arrangement of the first projection lens unit and the multiple first openings, and the arrangement of the second projection lens unit and at least one second opening, are set so that each of the multiple first drawing light distribution patterns and each of the at least one second drawing light distribution pattern are alternately formed in a serial arrangement, thereby achieving the following effects.

In other words, the multiple first openings are formed on the rear side of the lamp of the first projection lens unit, and at least one second opening is formed on the rear side of the lamp of the second projection lens unit, so the spacing between the multiple first openings and the spacing between the at least one second opening can be prevented from becoming extremely narrow.

Therefore, the light shielding plate can be configured to form multiple light distribution patterns in series and close to each other without reducing the rigidity of the portions located between multiple first openings and at least one portion located between two second openings.

According to the present invention, in a drawing lighting fixture configured to form a drawing light distribution pattern, multiple drawing light distribution patterns can be formed in series and close to each other. This makes it possible to form a drawing light distribution pattern that is excellent at calling attention to those in the surrounding area.

In the above configuration, if the direction intersecting the required direction is set to the up-down direction, multiple first and second drawing light distribution patterns can be formed in a series arrangement along the direction of illumination of the lamp, thereby further increasing the effect of drawing attention to those in the surrounding area.

In this case, if each of the multiple first openings and at least one second opening is configured to have a V-shaped opening, the inverted projection image can form multiple inverted V-shaped (i.e., pointed shapes facing forward toward the lamp) first and second drawing light distribution patterns arranged in series, thereby further increasing the effect of drawing attention to those in the surrounding area.

If the light-blocking plate were configured with multiple V-shaped openings all arranged in a series with vertical spacing between them, the portions between the openings would be narrow and V-shaped, making it difficult to ensure the rigidity of the light-blocking plate. Therefore, adopting the above configuration is particularly effective.

In the above configuration, if a first focusing lens is arranged between the first light-emitting element and the light-shielding plate to focus the light emitted from the first light-emitting element toward the multiple first openings, and a second focusing lens is arranged between the second light-emitting element and the light-shielding plate to focus the light emitted from the second light-emitting element toward at least one second opening, the multiple first and second drawing light distribution patterns can be formed as brighter and more uniform light distribution patterns.

In the above configuration, if the first light-emitting element is arranged at a position corresponding to each of the multiple first openings and the second light-emitting element is arranged at a position corresponding to each of at least one second opening, the multiple first and second drawing light distribution patterns can be formed as even brighter and more uniform light distribution patterns. Furthermore, by adopting such a configuration, it is also possible to selectively form each of the multiple first and second drawing light distribution patterns.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a drawing lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the drawing lamp. FIG. 10 is a side view showing the drawing lamp. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the drawing lamp in its main components; Cross-sectional view of line VV in FIG. Cross section of line VI-VI in Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a side view showing the drawing lamp mounted on a vehicle. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the drawing lamp mounted on a vehicle. 1A is a front view showing a main part of the drawing lamp, and FIG. 1B is a front view showing a comparative example, illustrating the operation of the embodiment. FIG. 9( a ) is a view similar to FIG. 9( a ), illustrating a first modification of the embodiment; 10A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIa-XIa in FIG. 10, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIb-XIb in FIG. FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing a second modification of the embodiment;

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a front view of a drawing lamp 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a plan view of the drawing lamp 10, and Figure 3 is a side view of the drawing lamp 10. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the drawing lamp 10, broken down into its main components.

In Figures 1 to 4, the direction indicated by X is "in front of the lamp," the direction indicated by Y is "leftward" (or "rightward" when viewed from the front of the lamp) which is perpendicular to "in front of the lamp," and the direction indicated by Z is "upward." This is also true for figures other than Figures 1 to 4.

Before explaining the specific configuration of the drawing lamp 10 according to this embodiment, we will provide an overview.

Figures 7 and 8 are a side view and a plan view showing the drawing lamp 10 mounted on a vehicle 100.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the drawing lamp 10 is mounted on the front end of the vehicle 100 at the side edge in the vehicle width direction, and is configured to emit light diagonally downward toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. In this case, the drawing lamp 10 lights up in synchronization with the lighting of the front turn signal lamp (not shown), thereby forming a drawing light distribution pattern PA on the road surface 2 ahead of the vehicle. Note that Figure 8 shows the left drawing lamp 10 turned on.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, when the drawing lamp 10 is mounted on the vehicle 100, the front of the lamp is set to be inclined diagonally downward relative to the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. However, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, when the drawing lamp 10 is in a standalone state, the front of the lamp is set to face horizontally.

Next, we will explain the specific configuration of the drawing lamp 10.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in Figure 1, and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 1.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the drawing lamp 10 is configured to irradiate light emitted from a light-emitting element toward the front of the lamp through a projection lens 30, and includes first and second light-emitting elements 20A and 20B as its light-emitting elements.

The projection lens 30 is configured with two identically configured first and second projection lens sections 32A and 32B arranged side by side in the left-right direction. These first and second projection lens sections 32A and 32B are formed so that their optical axes Axa and Axb extend in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp at the same height.

The first and second projection lens sections 32A, 32B are plano-convex lenses whose front surfaces 32Aa, 32Ba are convex curved surfaces, and have a rectangular (specifically, approximately square) outer shape when viewed from the front of the lamp. Their effective lens surfaces (i.e., the front surfaces 32Aa, 32Ba that perform the lens function) are adjacent to each other and are integrally formed.

The first and second projection lens sections 32A, 32B are surrounded by an outer peripheral flange section 34 that extends along their rear surfaces. A pair of mounting flange sections 36 are formed on both the left and right sides of this outer peripheral flange section 34. Each of these left and right mounting flange sections 36 has an L-shaped horizontal cross section, and their rear end surfaces are formed to lie on the same plane that is perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the lamp.

The first and second light-emitting elements 20A and 20B are both white light-emitting diodes and have a rectangular (specifically, square) light-emitting surface 20a.

The first and second light-emitting elements 20A, 20B are mounted on a common substrate 22, positioned behind the first and second projection lens units 32A, 32B. This substrate 22 is supported by a heat sink 60, and extends along a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the lamp.

A light blocking plate 40 is disposed between the first and second light emitting elements 20A, 20B and the first and second projection lens units 32A, 32B to block a portion of the light traveling from the first and second light emitting elements 20A, 20B toward the first and second projection lens units 32A, 32B. This light blocking plate 40 is made of a thin plate extending along a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the lamp.

The light shielding plate 40 is positioned so that its left and right ends abut against the pair of left and right mounting flanges 36 of the projection lens 30 from the rear side of the lamp, thereby aligning it along a vertical plane that includes the rear focal points Fa and Fb of the first and second projection lens sections 32A and 32B.

The light-shielding plate 40 has two first openings 40Aa and 40Ac formed in the area behind the lamp of the first projection lens unit 20A, and two second openings 40Bb and 40Bd formed in the area behind the lamp of the second projection lens unit 20B.

Figure 9(a) is a front view showing the main parts of the drawing lamp 10.

In Figure 9(a), the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd are shown by two-dot chain lines as they are translated to the position of the first projection lens unit 20A located on the right side (left side when viewed from the front of the lamp), and the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac are shown by two-dot chain lines as they are translated to the position of the second projection lens unit 20B located on the left side.

As shown in Figure 9(a), the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac and the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd each have a V-shaped opening when viewed from the front of the lamp. The opening angle of the V-shape is set to a value of approximately 90 to 150 degrees (for example, approximately 120 degrees).

Of the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac and the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd, the second opening 40Bb is located higher than the first opening 40Aa, the first opening 40Ac is located higher than the second opening 40Bb, and the second opening 40Bd is located higher than the first opening 40Ac.

In this case, the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac and the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd are formed so that their vertical widths gradually increase in the order of first opening 40Aa, second opening 40Bb, first opening 40Ac, second opening 40Bd, and the vertical spacing between them is also set to gradually increase in this order.

The two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac and the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd are arranged so that the central lower end of the upper inner peripheral edge of the first opening 40Ac is positioned on the optical axis Axa of the first projection lens unit 32A.

The two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac and the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd are formed so that the inner peripheral edges on both the left and right sides extend upward in a direction that widens slightly relative to the vertical direction, and are positioned on the same pair of left and right imaginary straight lines.

The first light-emitting element 20A is positioned below the optical axis Axa of the first projection lens unit 32A, and the second light-emitting element 20B is positioned above the optical axis Axb of the second projection lens unit 32B.

Specifically, the first light-emitting element 20A is positioned so that its light-emitting center is located on a first reference axis La extending in the longitudinal direction of the lamp below the optical axis Axa, and the second light-emitting element 20B is positioned so that its light-emitting center is located on a second reference axis Lb extending in the longitudinal direction of the lamp above the optical axis Axb. In this case, the first reference axis La is set at a position that passes through the lower center of the lower inner peripheral edge of the first opening 40Aa of the light-blocking plate 40. Furthermore, the second reference axis Lb is set at a position that passes through the lower center of the lower inner peripheral edge of the second opening 40Bd of the light-blocking plate 40.

The first and second light-emitting elements 20A and 20B are connected to an electronic control unit (not shown), and the electronic control unit controls their on/off status depending on the vehicle driving conditions, etc.

A condenser lens assembly 50 is arranged between the substrate 22 and the light shielding plate 40.

The condenser lens assembly 50 is configured such that the first and second condenser lenses 52A, 52B are aligned in the left-right direction and integrally formed via a plate-shaped portion. The first and second condenser lenses 52A, 52B are positioned so that their optical axes are aligned with the first and second reference axes La, Lb.

The rear surfaces 52Ab and 52Bb of the first and second focusing lenses 52A and 52B are formed as convex curved surfaces, and the front surfaces 52Aa and 52Ba are formed as convex curved surfaces with a smaller curvature than the rear surfaces 52Ab and 52Bb.

As a result, the first focusing lens 52A causes the light emitted from the first light-emitting element 20A to enter the first opening 40Aa of the light-blocking plate 40 as light parallel to the first reference axis La, and the second focusing lens 52B causes the light emitted from the second focusing lens 52B to enter the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd of the light-blocking plate 40 as light parallel to the second reference axis Lb.

The condenser lens assembly 50 has a pair of mounting flanges 54 formed on both the left and right sides of a plate-like portion positioned around the first and second condenser lenses 52A, 52B. These left and right mounting flanges 54 have an L-shaped horizontal cross section, and their front end faces abut against the left and right ends of the light shielding plate 40 from the rear side of the lamp, thereby positioning the first and second condenser lenses 52A, 52B on the first and second reference axes La, Lb.

The heat sink 60 comprises a main body 62 extending along a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, multiple heat dissipation fins 64 extending along a vertical plane from the main body 62 toward the rear of the lamp, and a pair of mounting flanges 66 formed on both the left and right sides of the main body 62.

The substrate 22 is in surface contact with the main body 62 of the heat sink 60, and is positioned and supported by tightening screws 72 at two diagonal points.

The projection lens 30, light blocking plate 40, and condenser lens assembly 50 are positioned and supported by tightening screws 74 at two diagonal positions on the pair of left and right mounting flanges 66 of the heat sink 60. These screws are tightened by co-tightening the pair of left and right mounting flanges 36 of the projection lens 30, both left and right ends of the light blocking plate 40, and the pair of left and right mounting flanges 54 of the condenser lens assembly 50, while they are superimposed on the pair of left and right mounting flanges 66 of the heat sink 60. Positioning pins 36a are formed on each of the pair of left and right mounting flanges 36 of the projection lens 30, while pin insertion holes 40a, 54a, and 66a, through which the positioning pins 36a pass, are formed on both left and right ends of the light blocking plate 40, the pair of left and right mounting flanges 54 of the condenser lens assembly 50, and the pair of left and right mounting flanges 66 of the heat sink 60, respectively.

Next, we will explain the drawing light distribution pattern PA shown in Figures 7 and 8.

As described above, the drawing light distribution pattern PA is formed by the light emitted from the drawing lamp 10, and this drawing light distribution pattern PA is composed of four first and second drawing light distribution patterns PAa, PAb, PAc, and PAd, as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

The four first and second drawing light distribution patterns PAa-PAd are all inverted V-shaped (i.e., pointed toward the front of the lamp) light distribution patterns, and are approximately the same size and arranged in series at approximately equal intervals in the long-distance, medium-distance, short-distance, and close-up distance regions of the road surface 2 ahead of the vehicle.

The first drawing light distribution patterns PAa and PAc formed in the long-distance and short-distance regions are light distribution patterns formed by irradiating light emitted from the first light-emitting element 20A toward the front of the lamp via the first projection lens 32A. The second drawing light distribution patterns PAb and PAd formed in the medium-distance and short-distance regions are light distribution patterns formed by irradiating light emitted from the second light-emitting element 20B toward the front of the lamp via the second projection lens 32B.

The first drawing light distribution pattern PAa is formed as an inverted projection image of the first opening 40Aa, which has a V-shaped opening formed in the light shielding plate 40. Because this first opening 40Aa is located significantly below the optical axis Axa of the first projection lens unit 32A, the light emitted from the first light-emitting element 20A is directed significantly upward from the optical axis Axa and is irradiated toward the front of the lamp, thereby forming the first drawing light distribution pattern PAa in the long-distance region.

The second drawing light distribution pattern PAb is formed as an inverted projection image of the second opening 40Bb, which has a V-shaped opening formed in the light shielding plate 40. Because this second opening 40Bb is located below the optical axis Axb of the second projection lens unit 32B, the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 20B is irradiated toward the front of the lamp as light directed upward from the optical axis Axb, thereby forming the second drawing light distribution pattern PAb in the mid-distance range.

The first drawing light distribution pattern PAc is formed as an inverted projection image of the first opening 40Ac, which has a V-shaped opening formed in the light shielding plate 40. This first opening 40Ac is positioned approximately on the optical axis Axa of the first projection lens unit 32A, so that the light emitted from the first light-emitting element 20A is irradiated toward the front of the lamp as light approximately parallel to the optical axis Axa, thereby forming the first drawing light distribution pattern PAc in the near-distance region.

The second drawing light distribution pattern PAd is formed as an inverted projection image of the second opening 40Bd, which has a V-shaped opening formed in the light shielding plate 40. Because this second opening 40Bd is located above the optical axis Axb of the second projection lens unit 32B, the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 20B is directed downward from the optical axis Axb toward the front of the lamp, thereby forming the second drawing light distribution pattern PAd in the close distance region.

In this case, the light emitted from the first light-emitting element 20A is efficiently incident on the first openings 40Aa, 40Ac by the biconvex first condenser lens 52A, ensuring sufficient brightness for the first drawing light distribution patterns PAa, PAc. Furthermore, the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 20B is efficiently incident on the second openings 40Bb, 40Bd by the biconvex second condenser lens 52B, ensuring sufficient brightness for the second drawing light distribution patterns PAb, PAd.

The four first and second drawing light distribution patterns PAa-PAd are formed to be approximately the same size. This is because the vertical widths of the first opening 40Aa, second opening 40Bb, first opening 40Ac, and second opening 40Bd increase in that order, and because the inner peripheral edges on both the left and right sides of the patterns are formed to extend upward in a direction that widens slightly relative to the vertical direction, and because the inner peripheral edges on both the left and right sides are located on the same pair of left and right imaginary straight lines.

Next, we will explain the operation of this embodiment.

The drawing lamp 10 according to this embodiment is configured to form a drawing light distribution pattern PA by irradiating light emitted from the first and second light-emitting elements 20A, 20B toward the front of the lamp through the light-shielding plate 40 and the projection lens 30. The projection lens 30 is configured such that the first projection lens portion 32A and the second projection lens portion 32B are arranged side by side in the left-right direction (a required direction intersecting with the front-rear direction of the lamp). In addition, the light-shielding plate 40 has a vertical ( Two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac are formed at a distance in the direction intersecting the required direction, and two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd are formed at a distance in the vertical direction behind the lamp of the second projection lens unit 32B. Furthermore, a first light-emitting element 20A is arranged behind the lamp of the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac, and a second light-emitting element 20B is arranged behind the lamp of the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd, so the following effects can be obtained.

In other words, the light emitted from the first light-emitting element 20A and incident on the first projection lens unit 32A through the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac can form two first drawing light distribution patterns PAa, PAc as inverted projection images of the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac. Furthermore, the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 20B and incident on the second projection lens unit 32B through the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd can form two second drawing light distribution patterns PAb, PAd as inverted projection images of the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd, thereby alerting other vehicles, pedestrians, etc.

In addition, the arrangement of the first projection lens unit 32A and the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac, and the arrangement of the second projection lens unit 32B and the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd are set so that the two first drawing light distribution patterns PAa, PAc and the two second drawing light distribution patterns PAb, PAd are alternately formed in a serial arrangement, thereby achieving the following effects.

In other words, the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac are formed on the rear side of the lamp of the first projection lens unit 32A, and the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd are formed on the rear side of the lamp of the second projection lens unit, so the distance between the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac and the distance between the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd can be prevented from becoming extremely narrow.

Therefore, the configuration of the light-shielding plate 40 allows the four first and second drawing light distribution patterns PAa, PAb, PAc, and PAd that make up the drawing light distribution pattern PA to be formed in series and close to each other without reducing the rigidity of the portion located between the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac and the portion located between the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd.

According to this embodiment, in the drawing lighting fixture 10 configured to form a drawing light distribution pattern PA, four first and second drawing light distribution patterns PAa, PAb, PAc, and PAd can be formed in series and close to each other as the drawing light distribution pattern PA. This makes it possible to form a drawing light distribution pattern that is excellent at calling attention to the surrounding area.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac and the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction, so that the two first drawing light distribution patterns PAa, PAc and the two second drawing light distribution patterns PAb, PAd can be formed in a series arrangement along the lamp illumination direction, thereby further enhancing the effect of drawing attention to the surroundings.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac and the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd all have a V-shaped opening shape, so that the inverted projection images of the four inverted V-shaped first and second drawing light distribution patterns PAa, PAb, PAc, PAd can be formed in a series arrangement, thereby further enhancing the effect of drawing attention to those in the surrounding area.

Furthermore, when four inverted V-shaped first and second drawing light distribution patterns PAa, PAb, PAc, and PAd are formed in a series arrangement in this manner, adopting the configuration of this embodiment is particularly effective. This point is described in more detail below.

Figure 9(b) is a diagram similar to Figure 9(a) showing a comparative example of this embodiment.

As shown in Figure 9(b), in this comparative example, a light-shielding plate 40' having four V-shaped openings 40a', 40b', 40c', and 40d' spaced apart in the vertical direction is arranged behind the projection lens unit 32', which has a configuration similar to that of the first projection lens unit 32A of this embodiment, instead of the light-shielding plate 40 of this embodiment.

In this case, the four openings 40a', 40b', 40c', and 40d' have the same opening shapes as the first and second openings 40Aa, 40Bb, 40Ac, and 40Bd, respectively, in this embodiment.

In this comparative example, the light-emitting element 20' is positioned on the optical axis Ax' of the projection lens unit 32', and a condenser lens 52' is also positioned on the optical axis Ax' to direct the light emitted from the light-emitting element 20' into the four openings 40a' to 40d'.

If a light-shielding plate 40' like the one in this comparative example is used, the portions located between the four openings 40a'-40d' will be narrow and V-shaped, making it difficult to ensure the rigidity of the light-shielding plate 40'.

In contrast, as shown in Figure 9(a), in the light-shielding plate 40 of this embodiment, sufficient spacing is ensured between the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac and between the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd, thereby ensuring sufficient rigidity.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a first condensing lens 52A is disposed between the first light-emitting element 20A and the light-shielding plate 40 to condense the light emitted from the first light-emitting element 20A toward the two first openings 40Aa and 40Ac, and a second condensing lens 52B is disposed between the second light-emitting element 20B and the light-shielding plate 40 to condense the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 20B toward the two second openings 40Bb and 40Bd. This makes it possible to form the four first and second drawing light distribution patterns PAa, PAb, PAc, and PAd as brighter and more uniform light distribution patterns.

In the above embodiment, the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac and the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd formed in the light-shielding plate 40 were described as all having a V-shaped opening shape, but it is also possible to configure them with opening shapes other than this (for example, opening shapes such as downward arrows or inverted trapezoids).

In the above embodiment, the light emitted from the first and second light-emitting elements 20A, 20B is described as being incident on the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac and the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd via the first and second condenser lenses 52A, 52B. However, it is also possible to configure the light to be directly incident on the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac and the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd.

In the above embodiment, it was described that two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac are formed on the rear side of the first projection lens portion 32A in the light shielding plate 40, and two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd are formed on the rear side of the second projection lens portion 32B. However, it is also possible to configure the light shielding plate 40 so that only a single second opening 40Bb is formed on the rear side of the second projection lens portion 32B.

In the above embodiment, the first and second projection lens units 32A, 32B were described as being formed so that their optical axes Axa, Axb extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the lamp at the same height, but other configurations (for example, a configuration in which the optical axis Axa of the first projection lens unit 32A extends upward relative to the optical axis Axb of the second projection lens unit 32B) can also be used.

In the above embodiment, the light emitted by the first and second light-emitting elements 20A and 20B is described as being white, but other light colors (e.g., amber, red, etc.) can also be used.

In the above embodiment, the drawing lamp 10 is described as being mounted on the front end of the vehicle 100 at the side edge in the vehicle width direction, but it can also be configured to be mounted on the rear end or side of the vehicle 100, etc.

In the above embodiment, the light emitted from the drawing lamp 10 is described as forming a drawing light distribution pattern PA on the road surface 2 ahead of the vehicle, but it is also possible to configure the drawing light distribution pattern to be formed on a wall surface located in front of the lamp or a wall surface extending toward the front of the lamp.

Next, we will explain a variation of the above embodiment.

First, we will explain the first variant of the above embodiment.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9(a) showing the main parts of the drawing lamp 110 according to this modified example. Figure 11(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIa-XIa in Figure 10, and Figure 11(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIb-XIb in Figure 10.

As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the basic configuration of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the number and arrangement of the first and second light-emitting elements 20A, 20B are slightly different from those of the above embodiment.

In other words, in this modified example, a first light-emitting element 20A is arranged on the rear side of each of the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac formed in the light-shielding plate 40, and a second light-emitting element 20B is arranged on the rear side of each of the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd.

Specifically, the two first light-emitting elements 20A arranged on the rear side of the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac are arranged so that their light-emitting centers are located at the lower central positions of the upper inner peripheral edges of the first openings 40Aa, 40Ac when viewed from the front of the lamp. Furthermore, the two first light-emitting elements 20B arranged on the rear side of the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd are arranged so that their light-emitting centers are located at the lower central positions of the upper inner peripheral edges of the second openings 40Bb, 40Bd when viewed from the front of the lamp.

As a result, in this modified example, light emitted from the first light-emitting element 20A located on the lower side is efficiently incident on the first opening 40Aa via the first condenser lens 52A, and light emitted from the first light-emitting element 20A located on the upper side is efficiently incident on the first opening 40Ac via the first condenser lens 52A. Furthermore, light emitted from the second light-emitting element 20B located on the lower side is efficiently incident on the second opening 40Bb via the second condenser lens 52B, and light emitted from the second light-emitting element 20B located on the upper side is efficiently incident on the second opening 40Bd via the second condenser lens 52B.

By adopting the configuration of this modified example, the amount of light incident on the first projection lens unit 32A through the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac increases, making it easy to ensure the brightness of the first drawing light distribution patterns PAa, PAc (see Figures 7 and 8) formed in the long-distance and close-distance areas. Furthermore, the amount of light incident on the second projection lens unit 32B through the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd increases, making it easy to ensure the brightness of the second drawing light distribution patterns PAb, PAd formed in the medium-distance and close-distance areas.

Next, we will explain a second variant of the above embodiment.

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11, showing the main parts of the drawing lamp 210 according to this modified example.

As shown in Figure 12, the basic configuration of this modified example is the same as that of the first modified example described above, but differs from the first modified example in that a light guide 280 is disposed between the substrate 22 and the light shielding plate 40.

In other words, in this modified example, a light guide 280 is disposed between the substrate 22 and the light blocking plate 40 in place of the condenser lens assembly 50 of the first modified example. This light guide 280 includes a plate-shaped portion 282 formed to extend along the rear surface of the light blocking plate 40, and four light guide portions 284Aa, 284Ac, 284Bb, and 284Bd formed to protrude from the rear surface of this plate-shaped portion 282 toward the rear of the lamp.

The four second light guide sections 284Aa-284Bd are formed at positions corresponding to the two first openings 40Aa, 40Ac and the two second openings 40Bb, 40Bd formed in the light shielding plate 40.

Specifically, the light-guiding portion 284Aa is formed so as to expand from the first light-emitting element 20A located below toward the first opening 40Aa. This light-guiding portion 284Aa has a trapezoidal vertical cross-section, and its rear end face is located near the front of the first light-emitting element 20A located below. Furthermore, the front edge of this light-guiding portion 284Aa is connected to the plate-shaped portion 282 at a position surrounding the first opening 40Aa.

The light-guiding portion 284Ac is formed so as to expand from the first light-emitting element 20A located above toward the first opening 40Ac. This light-guiding portion 284Ac has a trapezoidal vertical cross-section, and its rear end face is located near the front of the first light-emitting element 20A located above. The front edge of this light-guiding portion 284Ac is connected to the plate-shaped portion 282 at a position surrounding the first opening 40Ac.

The light-guiding portion 284Bb is formed so as to expand from the second light-emitting element 20B located below toward the second opening 40Bb. This light-guiding portion 284Bb has a trapezoidal vertical cross-section, and its rear end face is located near the front of the second light-emitting element 20B located below. The front edge of this light-guiding portion 284Bb is connected to the plate-shaped portion 282 at a position surrounding the second opening 40Bb.

The light-guiding portion 284Bd is formed so as to expand from the second light-emitting element 20B located above toward the second opening 40Bd. This light-guiding portion 284Bd has a trapezoidal vertical cross-section, and its rear end face is located near the front of the second light-emitting element 20B located above. The front edge of this light-guiding portion 284Bd is connected to the plate-shaped portion 282 at a position surrounding the second opening 40Bd.

As a result, in this modified example, the light emitted from the first light-emitting element 20A located on the lower side enters the light-guiding section 284Aa from its rear end face, and then enters the first opening 40Aa either directly or after being totally reflected by the peripheral wall surface of the light-guiding section 284Aa; and the light emitted from the first light-emitting element 20A located on the upper side enters the light-guiding section 284Ac from its rear end face, and then enters the first opening 40Ac either directly or after being totally reflected by the peripheral wall surface of the light-guiding section 284Ac.

Similarly, light emitted from the second light-emitting element 20B located on the lower side enters the light-guiding section 284Bb from its rear end face, and then enters the second opening 40Bb either directly or after being totally reflected by the peripheral wall surface of the light-guiding section 284Bb. Furthermore, light emitted from the second light-emitting element 20B located on the upper side enters the light-guiding section 284Bd from its rear end face, and then enters the second opening 40Bd either directly or after being totally reflected by the peripheral wall surface of the light-guiding section 284Bd.

By adopting the configuration of this modified example, the following effects can be achieved:

In other words, light emitted from the first light-emitting element 20A located on the lower side can be efficiently incident on the first opening 40Aa via the light-guiding portion 284Aa, and light emitted from the first light-emitting element 20A located on the upper side can be efficiently incident on the first opening 40Ac via the light-guiding portion 284Ac.

Similarly, light emitted from the second light-emitting element 20B located on the lower side can be efficiently incident on the second opening 40Bb via the light-guiding portion 284Bb, and light emitted from the second light-emitting element 20B located on the upper side can be efficiently incident on the second opening 40Bd via the light-guiding portion 284Bd.

Therefore, in this modified example, as in the first modified example described above, the amount of light incident on the first and second projection lens units 32A, 32B can be increased, thereby easily ensuring the brightness of the first drawing light distribution patterns PAa, PAc formed in the long distance area and short distance area, and the second drawing light distribution patterns PAb, PAd formed in the medium distance area and close distance area (see Figures 7 and 8).

Furthermore, in this modified example, light emitted from the first light-emitting element 20A located on the lower side does not enter the first opening 40Ac located on the upper side, and light emitted from the first light-emitting element 20A located on the upper side does not enter the first opening 40Aa located on the lower side. Similarly, light emitted from the second light-emitting element 20B located on the lower side does not enter the second opening 40Bd located on the upper side, and light emitted from the second light-emitting element 20B located on the upper side does not enter the second opening 40Bb located on the lower side.

Therefore, by individually lighting the two first light-emitting elements 20A and the two second light-emitting elements 20B, it is possible to individually form the four first and second drawing light distribution patterns PAa, PAb, PAc, and PAd. Therefore, it is possible to select a mode in which the four first and second drawing light distribution patterns PAa, PAb, PAc, and PAd are simultaneously formed as the drawing light distribution pattern PA, or a mode in which they are formed individually.

Note that the numerical values shown as specifications in the above embodiment and its variations are merely examples, and it goes without saying that these may be set to different values as appropriate.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiment and its variations, and various other modified configurations are also possible.

2 Road surface ahead of vehicle 10, 110, 210 Drawing lamp 20A First light-emitting element (light-emitting element)
20a Light-emitting surface 20B Second light-emitting element (light-emitting element)
22 substrate 30 projection lens 32A first projection lens portion 32Aa, 32Ba front surface 32B second projection lens portion 34 outer peripheral flange portion 36, 54, 66 mounting flange portion 36a positioning pin 40 light shielding plate 40Aa, 40Ac first opening 40a, 54a, 66a pin insertion hole 40Bb, 40Bd second opening 50 condenser lens assembly 52A first condenser lens 52Aa, 52Ba front surface 52Ab, 52Bb rear surface 52B second condenser lens 60 heat sink 62 main body portion 64 heat dissipation fin 72, 74 screw 100 vehicle 280 light guide 282 plate-shaped portion 284Aa, 284Ac, 284Bb, 284Bd Light guide section Axa, Axb Optical axis Fa, Fb Rear focal point La First reference axis Lb Second reference axis PA Light distribution pattern for drawing PAa, PAc First light distribution pattern for drawing PAb, PAd Second light distribution pattern for drawing

Claims (5)

A drawing lamp configured to form a drawing light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a light-emitting element forward through a projection lens,
a light blocking plate is disposed between the light emitting element and the projection lens to block a part of the light traveling from the light emitting element to the projection lens;
The projection lens is configured such that the first and second projection lens portions are arranged side by side in a required direction intersecting the front-rear direction of the lamp,
A plurality of openings are formed in the light blocking plate,
the light-blocking plate includes, as the plurality of openings, a plurality of first openings arranged at intervals in a direction intersecting the required direction on the rear side of the lamp of the first projection lens unit, and at least one second opening arranged on the rear side of the lamp of the second projection lens unit,
The light-emitting elements include first light-emitting elements arranged on the rear side of the lamp of the plurality of first openings, and second light-emitting elements arranged on the rear side of the lamp of the at least one second opening,
a first projection lens unit and a plurality of first openings, and a second projection lens unit and at least one second opening are arranged so that each of a plurality of first drawing light distribution patterns formed by the light emitted from the first light-emitting element and incident on the first projection lens unit through the plurality of first openings and each of at least one second drawing light distribution patterns formed by the light emitted from the second light-emitting element and incident on the second projection lens unit through the at least one second opening are alternately arranged in series. The drawing lamp described in claim 1, characterized in that the direction intersecting the required direction is set to the up-down direction. The drawing lamp according to claim 2, characterized in that each of the plurality of first openings and the at least one second opening has a V-shaped opening shape. a first condensing lens is disposed between the first light-emitting element and the light-shielding plate to condense light emitted from the first light-emitting element toward the plurality of first openings;
3. A drawing lamp as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a second focusing lens is arranged between the second light-emitting element and the light-shielding plate to focus the light emitted from the second light-emitting element toward the at least one second opening. the first light-emitting elements are disposed at positions corresponding to the plurality of first openings, respectively;
3. The drawing lamp according to claim 1, wherein the second light emitting elements are disposed at positions corresponding to the at least one second opening, respectively.