JPS58223203A - Lens for vehicle head lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Object of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel lens for a vehicle lamp, and more specifically,
In signal lights such as car taillights, light from the light source, especially direct light, can be efficiently emitted from the lens surface without being blocked by the cut shape of the lens step, and a part of the lens surface can be darkened. A vehicle lamp that can make the brightness more uniform without causing spots, and can regularize the directivity of the light emitted from the lens surface to obtain a suitable light distribution and has excellent visibility. The object of the present invention is to provide a novel vehicle lamp lens that can obtain the following effects.

Background Art It is important for tail lights and side vehicle signal lights for automatic vehicles to have a suitable light distribution so that the vehicle's driving control and intention can be clearly seen with respect to surrounding wheels, etc. It is. In order to obtain a suitable light distribution, it is necessary to pass the light from the light source through the lens as effectively as possible without any loss, provide sufficient brightness, and make the brightness of the lens surface uniform. In addition, the light emitted from the lens surface is emitted regularly with a predetermined directivity, and the regular emitted light makes it possible to clearly see the lighting state of the lamp regardless of whether it is viewed from below or from the left or right. It is necessary that a light distribution be formed.

Furthermore, since the lens in this lamp is an important component as a design element of the vehicle, the appearance of the lens surface is required to be as clean as possible.
-1- Consideration should be given so that the cut shape of the lens step used to achieve the above-mentioned light distribution does not add to the appearance of the lens surface. is also considered important.

In the lens of this type of vehicle lamp, which has such a problem of several Jz, the light distribution is required to be formed with a directivity that expands in two directions -1-down and left and right. Conventionally, a lens step having the shape of a so-called fisheye lens has been used in the past.

Conventional Example 1 and its Problems 281 FIG. 281 shows an example a of a vehicle light using such a conventional vehicle light lens. c...
(See FIG. 1(C)) is formed into a shape in which many rectangles are cut into one. d is a reflecting mirror, and a light source e is placed in its interior space.

As is known, such fisheye lenses are optical elements having curved surfaces in the horizontal and vertical directions, so the light from the light source is transmitted through the fisheye lenses.
...by φ, it is refracted and diffused in the downward and left-right directions, and the light distribution is able to send a signal to surrounding vehicles.The 1775 surface is not uniformly illuminated over its entire surface. However, some parts are extremely bright, and some parts are dark, so visibility is not good at all. This is because, as shown in FIG. 1(A), the center f on the 1775 plane, that is, the light source e
Since the direct light from the light source e is most concentratedly projected onto the portion directly in front of the center portion f, this central portion f becomes extremely bright. The outer periphery g of the center f becomes a dark circular band. This is due to the cap, which does not reflect any light from the light source e toward the lens b.

Further, the outer periphery i of the outer periphery g is comparatively brighter than the portion extending from there to the edge of the lens. This is because the luminous flux density of the reflected light from the light source e reflected by the reflecting mirror d is higher near the bottom and top of the reflecting mirror than around the periphery of the reflecting mirror.

Conventional Example 2 and Its Problems Figure 2 shows other vehicle lamps using conventional lenses.
This shows that. In the figure, k indicates a reflecting mirror, ■ indicates an inner lens, and m indicates an outer lens provided in front of the inner lens 1 with a slight interval. A refracting prism part n is formed in a concentric pattern approximately at the center of the front surface of the inner lens t, and a fisheye lens part 0 is formed at its outer periphery, and approximately at the center of the rear surface of the inner lens t. A fisheye lens part p is formed on the periphery thereof, and a reflecting prism part q is formed in a concentric pattern on the outer periphery thereof. The outer lens m is a so-called plain lens in which no special optical element is formed.

r indicates a light source.

According to the lens of the lamp j shown in FIG. 2, the above-mentioned) 1
Although the local brightness unevenness in the center and outer periphery of lens b shown in Figure 1 has been largely eliminated, other brightness unevenness and defects in appearance -1- still occur. The uneven brightness appears as a band-shaped non-light-emitting portion S at the adjacent boundary between each optical element formed in the inner lens t. At the adjacent portion between the fisheye lens part p and the reflection prism part q formed on the rear surface of the inner lens t, the convex arc surface of the adjacent fisheye lens cut prevents light from the light source r to be incident on the adjacent reflection prism element. This is because the direct light of the area is blocked and light is not efficiently emitted from the adjacent area. This can also be seen in the adjacent part between the refractive prism part n formed on the front surface of the inner lens t and the fisheye lens part 0 adjacent thereto, where the light from the light source r is totally reflected on the inner surface of the fisheye lens cut. In some cases, the light is not efficiently emitted from the adjacent portion because it is not refracted or refracted in a predetermined direction.

Also, when such a lens is viewed from the front of the outer lens, the refractive prism part n formed on the inner lens t
The concentric pattern of the reflective prism part q and the reflective prism part q was visible as is or as a spotted pattern, causing considerable discomfort and resulting in an unsightly appearance.

Steps to solve the problem: - It is possible to efficiently emit light from the lens surface without being obstructed by the shape or being refracted in an unspecified direction. The brightness of the lens surface is uniform without causing dark areas in some parts of the lens.
This is a lens that covers the front blade of the lamp body of an 11-wheel lamp, and has a convex arc surface facing the light source side. In the lens for a vehicle lamp, which is composed of a west lens part in which a large number of convex lens cuts are formed, and a prism part formed in a concentric pattern on the outer peripheral area of the convex lens part, each convex lens in contact with the prism part The adjacent edge of the cut is characterized in that it is a linear inclined surface that is inclined toward the prism portion at least in the horizontal cross section of the convex lens cut.

EXAMPLES Below, the details of the lens of the vehicle lamp of the present invention will be explained according to the examples shown in the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 3 shows an example of the implementation of the lens of the vehicle lamp of the present invention. In the figure, ■ indicates the lamp body,
A reflective surface 2 is formed on its inner surface, and a light source 3 is disposed within a space defined by the lamp body 1 and a lens, which will be described later, attached to the front opening of the lamp body 1. Reference numeral 4 denotes an inner lens that is attached to the front opening of the lamp body 1, and an outer lens 5 is attached in front of the inner lens 4 with a slight interval therebetween.

In this embodiment, the outer lens 5 functions as a transparent cover lens on which no special optical element is formed.

Optical elements are formed on the rear surface of the inner lens 4, that is, the surface facing the light source 3, and on the front surface. On the rear surface of the inner lens 4, a convex lens part 6 is formed in a substantially rectangular area at the center thereof, and a prism part 7 is formed in the outer peripheral area of the convex lens part 6, respectively. In this embodiment, each convex lens cutout provided in the convex lens portion 6 is arranged and formed in a grid pattern as a large number of fisheye lens cuts 8.8, . . . having a convex arc surface on the light source 3 side. Further, the prism portion 7 is formed by providing reflective prism elements 9, 9, . . . in a concentric pattern shape.

On the other hand, on the front surface of the inner lens 4, a refractive prism element 10.10 is disposed in a substantially rectangular region at the center thereof, that is, in a region substantially corresponding to the convex lens portion 6 in the front-rear direction.
A refracting prism section 11 is formed in which... are provided in a concentric pattern shape, and a diffusing lens section 12 is formed in the outer peripheral area of the refracting prism section ll. In this embodiment, the diffusing lens portion 12 is formed by providing a fisheye lens force, 1-13, 13, .

The convex lens cuts in the convex lens portion 6, that is, the fisheye lens cuts 8.8, . , . . . , adjacent edges thereof are cut as linear inclined surfaces inclined toward the prism portion 7 at least in the horizontal cross section. This is shown in detail in FIG. In the figure, 8A indicates a hole formed in the convex lens portion 6 (single lens cut 8.8
, . . ., those formed at the ends adjacent to the prism portion 7 are shown. Reference numeral 14 denotes an inclined surface formed on the fisheye lens cut 8A, which extends from approximately near the apex of the convex arc surface toward the base end of the reflective prism element 9A formed at the end adjacent to the convex lens portion 6 of the prism portion 7. It is inclined in a substantially straight line. The inclined surface 14 is formed approximately in the 47th line with respect to the direction of incidence of the direct light 15.16 from the light source 3 which is incident on the fisheye lens cut 8A or the reflective prism element 9A.

In this way, among the fisheye lens cuts 8, 8, . By forming the four-piercing inclined surface 14, the direct light from the light source 3 is reliably entered into the reflective prism element 9A formed at the position in contact with the convex lens portion 6, and the optical axis is aligned with the reflective inner surface. It is reflected in a direction substantially parallel to XX. Therefore, since these reflected lights are often projected onto the front surface of the inner lens 4 corresponding to the boundary between the convex lens portion 6 and the prism portion 7, the dark line-like non-conformity that has conventionally occurred in this portion is eliminated. Light emission #1(s(2nd
(see figure (A)) is eliminated, and the front surface of the inner lens 4 is illuminated evenly and uniformly.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the lens of the vehicle lamp of the present invention. The lens shown in this embodiment allows the light emitted from the lens surface to form a light distribution with more regular directivity, and the design of the lens is also well considered. The structure of the lens in this example is different from the lens shown in FIG.
In contrast to the lens element in the diffusion lens section (in the lens shown in Figure 3, a fisheye lens), a cylindrical lens extending in the horizontal direction is used, and a cylindrical lens extending in the vertical direction is used for the outer lens. is formed, and the rest of the structure is the same as that shown in FIG. 3, so the same members and portions are designated by the same reference numerals and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

That is, in the central region of the rear surface of the inner lens 4, a large number of cylindrical lenses 17, 17, . A convex lens portion 6 is formed by this, and a large number of horizontally extending cylindrical lenses 18, 18, . A diffusion lens portion 12 is also formed. Further, on the rear surface of the outer lens 5, a large number of cylindrical lenses 19, 19, .

Each cylindrical lens 1 in the above-mentioned convex lens section 6
7. The end portions of 17, ◆, adjacent to the prism portion 7 are cut as linear inclined surfaces that slope toward the prism portion 7 in the horizontal cross section, and the dispersing lens portion 1
Similarly, the end portions of the cylindrical lenses 18, 18, . . . adjacent to the refractive prism portion 11 in
It is cut as a linear slope that slopes toward 1. These are shown enlarged in FIG. In the figure 1
20 each cylindrical lens 17.17 in the convex lens portion 6,
The number .
An inclined surface 21 is formed by cutting substantially linearly toward the base end of the non-convex prism element 9A adjacent to the convex lens portion 6.

This inclined surface 21 is formed so as to be substantially parallel to the direction of incidence of direct light 22 from the light source 3 that enters the reflective prism element 9A. On the other hand, 23 indicates a virtual end portion where each cylindrical lens 18, 18, .
In the horizontal section, an inclined surface 24 is formed by cutting substantially linearly toward the base end of the refraction prism element 10A adjacent to the diffusion lens section 12 of the refraction prism section 11.

In this way, each cylindrical lens 1 formed in the convex lens portion 6
7.17, . . . By forming the inclined surface 21 at the inner end, the direct light 22 from the light source 3 reliably enters the reflective prism element 9A.

That is, if this inclined surface 21 is not formed,
[W] which should be incident on the reflective prism element 9A;
2. It is blocked by the virtual end 20 of the cylindrical lens 17, 17, ... or is totally reflected at this virtual end 20,
This may be because the direct light 22 is not incident on the reflective prism element 9A.In the above lens, the imaginary end 20 is cut, so there is nothing to block the direct light 22, and this convex lens portion 6 and The light also reliably enters the reflective prism element 9A located at an adjacent position. Since this direct light 22 is reflected by the reflective inner surface of the reflective prism element 9A and projected onto the outer lens 5, the non-light-emitting portion that conventionally occurs in this portion will not occur.

On the other hand, by forming the inclined surface 24 at the end adjacent to the refractive prism section 11 of each cylindrical lens 18, 18, . Reflected light 2 reflected by 9C and incident on the cylindrical lens 18, 18,...
5 is directed through the inclined surface 24 in a predetermined direction.

By the way, the optical element for diffusing the light from the light source 3 in two directions, up and down and left and right, in this embodiment is a cylindrical lens 17 formed on the inner lens 4 and extending in the horizontal direction.
．． 17, . . . and 18. 18, cylindrical lenses 19.1 formed in the outer lens and extending in the vertical direction.
9. It is composed of kai and kushi. In other words, the -L downward diffusion is caused by the cylindrical lens 17 formed in the inner lens 4.
17, . . . and 18.18, φ.
Since the diffusion in the left and right direction is done by the cylindrical lenses 19, 19, . . . formed on the outer lens 5, the light distribution is as follows.

The desired light distribution can be obtained in a regular manner with extremely accurate directivity.

Furthermore, a refractive prism element 10.10 formed in the inner lens 4 by a combination of these cylindrical lenses,
. . , the reflective prism elements 9, 9, . . . can be made completely invisible from the front of the outer lens 5. This is because the cylindrical lenses 19, 19, . 19.19... This is because the fist is imaged as only one line.

As is clear from the description in Section L, in the lens of the vehicle lamp of the present invention, the adjacent edge of each convex lens cut adjacent to the prism portion formed in a concentric pattern is at least close to the convex lens. Since the horizontal cross section of the force y1 is a straight inclined surface tilting toward the prism part, direct light from the light source entering the prism part is blocked at the boundary between the convex lens part and the prism part. Therefore, the light from the light source is effectively used, and the boundary portion is not visually recognized as a dark line when viewed from the front surface of the lens.

4. Explanation of the Drawings Figures 1 and 2 show different examples of conventional vehicle lamps using lenses. Figure 1 (A) is a front view, and (B) is a ( A) A vertical cross-sectional side view taken along the line B-B in the figure, (C) a perspective view showing a part of the lens cut away, and a second
Figure (A) is a front view, (B) is a cross-sectional plan view along line B-B in Figure (A), and Figure 3 shows an example of the implementation of the lens of the vehicle lamp of the present invention attached to a lamp body. (A) is an exploded perspective view, (B) is a central longitudinal side view, (C) is a central cross-sectional plan view, Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional plan view of the main parts of the Renf shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view. The figures show another embodiment of the lens of the vehicle lamp of the present invention attached to a lamp body, in which (A) is an exploded perspective view, (B) is a side view in longitudinal section at the center, and (C) is a cross-sectional view at the center. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view showing an enlarged main part of the lens shown in FIG. 5.

Explanation of symbols 1・φφ lamp body, 3...light source, 6・ψ
・Convex lens part, No. 7-9 prism part, 8...-lens cut, 14φ life/slanted surface, 17... Cylindrical lens, 21... Slanted surface 1 person Co., Ltd.
Koito Seisakusho Patent Attorney Yu Komatsu
Treatment 9

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A convex lens part that covers the front opening of the lamp body of a vehicle lamp and has a convex arc surface on the light source side, and a convex lens part in which a large number of rays are formed, and a concentric pattern in the outer peripheral area of the convex lens part. In a lens for a vehicle lamp comprising a prism portion with a dirty formation, the adjacent end of each convex lens cant adjacent to the prism portion has a straight line inclined toward the prism portion at least in the horizontal cross section of the convex lens cut. Lens 6 for a vehicle lamp characterized by having an inclined surface (2) The lens for a vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the convex lens cut is a fisheye lens cut. (3) The lens for a vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the convex lens cut is a convex cylindrical lens cut whose generatrix extends in the horizontal direction. (4) A vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface in the horizontal cross section of each convex lens cut is formed substantially parallel to the locus of direct light from a light source that enters the lens cut. lens.