CN117957400A - Lamp for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle lamp that can realize a highly designed light irradiation pattern by using a light guide component and a reflector, and hides the internal structure when not lit. The vehicle lamp comprises: a light source unit that irradiates light; a light guide component (16) that allows light from the light source unit to enter from the end face, conducts the light inside, and irradiates part of the light to the outside from the side; and a reflector (15) that reflects the light irradiated from the light guide component (16) as reflected light, and the reflector (15) contains a light absorbing material.

Description

Vehicle lighting

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp, and more particularly to a vehicle lamp that guides light from a light emitting element through a light guide member and irradiates the light.

Background technique

It has long been proposed to use light-emitting elements such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as light sources for vehicle lamps such as headlights and taillights. These vehicle lamps constitute a part of the vehicle's exterior, and therefore seek to improve the design in various shapes and lighting states. Therefore, it has also been proposed to allow the light irradiated by the light-emitting element to be incident on a light-guiding member, and to scatter the light through a light-scattering portion provided inside the light-guiding member, thereby achieving a desired light-emitting shape for the vehicle. In a vehicle lamp that uses light scattering brought about by a light-guiding member such as the one described above, the light is irradiated to the outside in the shape of the light-scattering portion provided on the light-guiding member, and therefore it is easy to achieve a linear or curved light-emitting shape.

In addition, in recent years, the requirements for the design of vehicle lamps have been increasing year by year, and not only linear light-emitting shapes but also various light-emitting shapes are desired. Even in the prior art, complex light-emitting shapes can be realized by using multiple light-emitting elements and light-guiding components, but the design freedom is limited based on the increase in the number of components.

Therefore, in Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, etc., a vehicle lamp that irradiates light from a light guide member to multiple directions to achieve a more complex appearance of the light-emitting shape is also proposed. By using a light guide member that irradiates light to multiple directions as described above, the light distribution irradiated to each direction can be adjusted, thereby achieving the expression brought by multiple light-emitting shapes through one light guide member. As an example, the light irradiated from the light guide member to one direction is directly guided to the outside, and the light irradiated to another direction is reflected by a reflector, thereby also being able to simultaneously achieve direct light irradiation and two-dimensionally expanded indirect light irradiation in a linear shape.

Prior art literature

Patent Literature

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-027731

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-129460

Summary of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, the light guide member of the vehicle lamp composed of the above-mentioned light guide member and reflector is composed of a transparent member, and the reflector has a highly reflective surface, so that the internal structure of the vehicle lamp can be visually identified when it is not lit. The light guide member and the reflector are optically designed to irradiate the desired light when lit, so it is difficult to take into account the design when the structure is directly visually recognized. This becomes particularly significant when a complex light-emitting shape is contained in a large number of optical elements.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp that can realize a highly designed light irradiation pattern using a light guide member and a reflector and that can conceal the internal structure when not lit.

Means used to solve problems

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the vehicle lamp of the present invention comprises: a light source portion that irradiates light; a light guide component that allows the light from the light source portion to be incident from the end face, conducts the light internally, and irradiates a part of the light to the outside from the side; and a reflector that reflects the light irradiated from the light guide component as reflected light, and the reflector contains a light absorbing material.

In the vehicle lamp of the present invention as described above, a reflector containing a light absorbing material is used to reflect the light irradiated from the side of the light guide member, so that it is difficult to visually recognize the internal structure of the vehicle lamp from the outside. Thus, a light irradiation pattern with high design can be realized by using the light guide member and the reflector, and the internal structure can be hidden when not lit.

Furthermore, in one aspect of the present invention, a light scattering portion is formed on a surface of the reflector.

In one aspect of the present invention, the vehicle lamp includes a shade made of a light-shielding material, the shade is disposed between the light guide member and the reflector along a longitudinal direction of the light guide member, and partially has a light-transmitting portion that transmits the light.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the light guide member irradiates the light as first light and second light in at least two directions of a first direction and a second direction, and the reflector reflects the second light.

In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the light guiding component also irradiates the light as third light in a third direction, and the vehicle lamp has a first light guiding plate, which allows the third light to enter from one end face, emits the third light from the other end face, and allows the reflected light to pass from the back side to the front side.

In one aspect of the present invention, the vehicle lamp includes a second light guide plate that allows the first light to enter from one end surface and emits the first light from the other end surface.

Furthermore, in one aspect of the present invention, the vehicle lamp includes an inner lens that transmits the first light.

Effects of the Invention

In the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp that can realize a light irradiation pattern with high design by using a light guide member and a reflector and that can conceal the internal structure when not lit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a vehicle lamp 10 according to the first embodiment, wherein (a) is a cross-sectional view at a position where a light-transmitting portion 18a is formed, and (b) is a cross-sectional view at a position where the light-transmitting portion 18a is not formed.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view for explaining the internal structure of the vehicle lamp 10 according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a photograph showing the appearance of the vehicle lamp 10 involved in the first embodiment, (a) in Fig. 3 shows it from the front when it is not lit, (b) in Fig. 3 shows it from the front when it is lit, (c) in Fig. 3 shows it from a 30-degree oblique angle when it is not lit, and (d) in Fig. 3 shows it from a 30-degree oblique angle when it is lit.

Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the vehicle lamp 10 according to the second embodiment, wherein (a) of Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view at a position where the light-transmitting portion 18a is formed, and (b) of Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view at a position where the light-transmitting portion 18a is not formed.

Fig. 5 is a photograph showing the appearance of the vehicle lamp 10 involved in the second embodiment, (a) in Fig. 5 shows it from the front when it is not lit, (b) in Fig. 5 shows it from the front when it is lit, (c) in Fig. 5 shows it from a 30-degree oblique angle when it is not lit, and (d) in Fig. 5 shows it from a 30-degree oblique angle when it is lit.

Detailed ways

(First Embodiment)

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the various drawings are marked with the same figure numbers, and repeated descriptions are appropriately omitted. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of a vehicle lamp 10 involved in the present embodiment, (a) in FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view at a position where a light-transmitting portion 18a is formed, and (b) in FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view at a position where a light-transmitting portion 18a is not formed. FIG. 2 is a schematic stereoscopic view for illustrating the internal structure of the vehicle lamp 10 involved in the present embodiment. The A-A position in FIG. 2 corresponds to the cross-section of (a) in FIG. 1 , and the B-B position in FIG. 2 corresponds to the cross-section of (b) in FIG. 1 .

As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the vehicle lamp 10 includes a housing 11, a back panel 12, an outer lens 13, a spacer 14, a reflector 15, a light guide member 16, a shade 17, a shade 18, an inner lens 19, and a light emitting element 20. In addition, the reflector 15 includes a first reflecting portion 15a, a second reflecting portion 15b, and a shade holding portion 15c. In addition, a light-transmitting portion 18a for transmitting light is partially formed in the shade 18. In Fig. 1, the arrow drawn from the inside of the light guide member 16 toward the outside schematically shows the path of light that is conducted and scattered in the light guide member 16.

The housing 11 is a frame portion that holds the components of the vehicle lamp 10, and is made of a light-shielding material that blocks light. In addition, a front opening and a rear opening are formed in the housing 11, and an outer lens 13 covering the front opening and the rear opening and a back panel 12 are provided. The back panel 12 is made of a light-shielding material that blocks light, and is a component that is provided to cover the rear opening of the housing 11. The back panel 12 is provided with a connector portion, a wiring harness, internal wiring, etc. that transmit power supplied from the outside of the vehicle lamp 10 to the inside, and the illustration is omitted here. Here, the housing 11 and the back panel 12 that are separately constructed are shown, but a housing 11 that integrates the two can also be used.

The outer lens 13 is a member made of a material that allows at least a portion of light to pass through, and is arranged to cover the front opening of the shell 11 and fix the periphery. It is an optical member that guides light from the light guide member 16 to the outside of the vehicle lamp 10. As materials constituting the outer lens 13, glass, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polycarbonate, etc. can be listed. From the viewpoints of light weight, impact resistance, weather resistance, light transmittance, etc., polycarbonate is most preferably used. The spacer 14 is a member inserted between the reflector 15 and the outer lens 13 inside the shell 11 to maintain the interval between the two. An example of using the spacer 14 is shown here, but the spacer 14 can also be omitted. The lamp chamber of the vehicle lamp 10 is composed of the shell 11, the back panel 12, and the outer lens 13.

The reflector 15 is arranged behind the light guide member 16 inside the housing 11, and is an optical member that reflects at least a portion of the light irradiated from the light guide member 16 by a reflecting surface. The light reflected by the reflector 15 is irradiated toward the outside of the vehicle lamp 10 via the outer lens 13. The material constituting the reflector 15 is not limited, and conventionally known resin materials or glass, etc. can be used. In addition, the reflector 15 is designed to contain a light absorbing material at least on the reflecting surface, and absorb at least a portion of the visible light. The light absorbing material is not limited here, but dyes and coatings that absorb light of a specific wavelength can be used.

As examples of the configuration of the reflector 15, there are listed a configuration in which the entire resin material constituting the reflector 15 contains a dye, and a configuration in which a reflective film is partially formed on the reflective surface by using a dye or a paint by vapor deposition or the like. The color of the light absorbing material is not limited, and a light absorbing material that absorbs specific colors such as red and blue can be used, but it is preferable to use a dark-colored light absorbing material that absorbs a wide range of wavelengths, and black is more preferable. Even when a black light absorbing material is used, by making the surface of the reflector 15 a glossy surface and processing it into a piano black tone, a part of the light from the light guide member 16 can be reflected.

The reflector 15 contains a light-absorbing material, so that even when the interior of the vehicle lamp 10 is viewed from the outside through the outer lens 13, it is difficult to visually recognize the shapes of the light guide member 16 and the shade 18. Therefore, it is possible to realize a highly designed light irradiation pattern using the light guide member 16 and the reflector 15, and hide the internal structure when the vehicle lamp 10 is not lit. In particular, by using a dark color as the light-absorbing material and making the reflector 15 completely black when the vehicle lamp 10 is not lit, it is possible to realize an appearance design that suppresses the presence of the vehicle lamp 10.

The first reflecting portion 15a is an area of the reflector 15 that is arranged on the back side of the light guide member 16, and is an area that reflects light irradiated from the light guide member 16 to the back side to the front. The first reflecting portion 15a can be designed based on the direction of the reflected light, and the specific shape is not limited. In the example shown in FIG1, the first reflecting portion 15a is arranged to cover the rear half of the side surface of the light guide member 16 in order to prevent stray light from leaking from the gap. Here, at least the second reflecting portion 15b of the reflector 15 contains a light absorbing material, but the first reflecting portion 15a may not contain a light absorbing material, and a high-reflection film that well reflects visible light can be formed on the reflecting surface of the first reflecting portion 15a.

The second reflecting portion 15b is located at a position away from the light guide member 16 in the reflector 15, and is an area that reflects the light irradiated from the light guide member 16 to the front. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second reflecting portion 15b is set to have a parabola in cross section, and the light guide member 16 is arranged at the focal position of the parabola. Therefore, the light irradiated downward from the light guide member 16 is irradiated from the outer lens 13 to the outside as light that is roughly parallel and reflected by the reflecting surface of the second reflecting portion 15b. In Figures 1 and 2, an example in which the second reflecting portion 15b is set below the light guide member 16 is shown, but if it is set at a position to reflect light other than the light irradiated to the front side or the back side of the light irradiated from the light guide member 16, the position and shape are not limited.

Although not shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , it is preferred that a light scattering portion is formed on the surface of the reflective surface in the second reflective portion 15 b. The shape and structure of the light scattering portion are not limited. As structural examples, a structure in which a protrusion is formed along the extension direction of the light guide member 16, i.e., the horizontal direction, a structure in which a protrusion is formed along the vertical direction orthogonal to the light guide member 16, a structure in which a protrusion is formed two-dimensionally, and the like can be cited. In the case where a light scattering portion is formed in the horizontal direction, the scattering of light in the vertical direction is enhanced, and the reflected light from the reflector 15 can be visually recognized regardless of the viewpoint position in the height direction. In addition, in the case where a light scattering portion is formed in the vertical direction, the scattering of light in the left and right directions is enhanced, and the reflected light from the reflector 15 can be visually recognized regardless of the viewpoint position in the left and right directions.

The shade holder 15c has a recessed portion formed at a position corresponding to the shade 18, and is configured to allow the front end portion of the shade 18 to be inserted. The front end of the shade 18 is inserted into the shade holder 15c, thereby positioning the shade 18 and holding it, and eliminating the gap generated between the front end of the shade 18 and the reflector 15. As a result, it is possible to prevent the leakage of light from the gap generated by errors and usage history, and suppress the deterioration of the shape and contrast of the light reflected by the second reflection part 15b. Here, an example of the shade holder 15c having a recessed shape formed on the reflector 15 is shown, but the shape of the shade holder 15c is not limited to a recessed portion, and a height difference shape that contacts one side of the shade 18 may be used. In addition, if there is no problem in the leakage of light from the gap or the holding of the shade 18, the shade holder 15c may be omitted.

The light guide member 16 is made of a material that allows light to pass through, guides light along the extension direction, and is an optical member that irradiates the guided light from the side. Concave-convex steps are formed along the side of the light guide member 16, and the light guided inside is reflected by the concave-convex steps and irradiates the outside of the light guide member 16 from the side. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, a roughly cylindrical light guide is shown as the light guide member 16, but it can also be a plate shape, and the specific shape is not limited. In this embodiment, two patterns of concave-convex steps are formed on the side of the light guide member 16, and the light reflected by the concave-convex steps on one side (the first light) is irradiated to the inner lens 19 side, and the light reflected by the concave-convex steps on the other side (the second light) is irradiated to the second reflection part 15b side at the bottom of the figure.

In the example shown in (a) of FIG. 1 , a concave step whose side surface of the light guide member 16 is concave is used as a step for reflecting the first light to the inner lens 19 side. This is because the first light irradiated to the front is used as the main light distribution of the vehicle lamp 100, so the light guided in the light guide member 16 is easy to illuminate, and the first light is efficiently reflected toward the front. In addition, a convex step whose side surface of the light guide member 16 is convex is used as a step for reflecting the second light to the second reflection part 15b side. This is because the second light irradiated to the bottom is used as a decorative light distribution, so a convex step that is difficult to illuminate the light guided in the light guide member 16 is used, thereby minimizing the impact on the main light distribution, i.e., the first light. As the shape of the convex step for reflecting the second light, it is preferably adjusted in a manner that does not use much light, including reducing the height of the step, increasing the distance between the steps within a range that does not cause light unevenness, and reducing the number of steps. 1( a ) and 1( b ) show examples where convex steps for reflecting the second light are discretely formed at positions corresponding to the light-transmitting portions 18 a , but one convex step may be formed over the entire light guide member 16 .

The shading member 17 and the shading member 18 are respectively arranged above and below the light guide member 16, and are members made of a material that blocks light. The materials and color to form the shading member 17 and the shading member 18 are not limited, but it is preferred that the color tones be the same as the reflector 15, and both are preferably set to black to prevent stray light. As shown in (b) in FIG. 1 , when the front end of the shading member 18 is to be inserted into the shading member holding portion 15c, it is preferred that the front end of the shading member 18 be set to a conical shape that becomes thinner toward the front end. By setting the front end to a conical shape, it is easy to insert the recessed portion, i.e., the shading member holding portion 15c, into the shading member 18, which can improve the workability of the assembly process.

When the light shielding member 17 is located above the first reflecting portion 15a of the reflector 15, it is provided over the entire area along the extension direction of the light guide member 16, and its front portion covers the upper surface of the inner lens 19. The light shielding member 18 is arranged at the boundary between the first reflecting portion 15a and the second reflecting portion 15b of the reflector 15, and is provided over the entire area along the extension direction of the light guide member 16, and its front portion covers the lower surface of the inner lens 19. A part of the light emitted from the light guide member 16 reaches the light shielding members 17 and 18 and is blocked, thereby limiting the direction of the light emitted in the vehicle lamp 10.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an example in which the shade 17, the shade 18 and the inner lens 19 are formed as one piece by using the two-color molding technology of resin is shown. By using the two-color molding technology, the molding accuracy of the shade 17, the shade 18 is improved, and the relative alignment with the inner lens 19 is not required, which can simplify the manufacturing process. In addition, by forming the shade 17, the shade 18 and the inner lens 19 as one piece, the inner lens 19 can be relatively aligned with the reflector 15 only by inserting the front end of the shade 18 into the shade holder 15c of the reflector 15, and further, the manufacturing process can be simplified. Here, an example in which the shade 17, the shade 18 and the inner lens 19 are formed as one piece by the two-color molding technology is shown, but the shade 17, the shade 18 and the inner lens 19 can also be formed separately and fixed by an adhesive or the like.

The light-transmitting portion 18a is a portion that allows light to pass through, which is formed on a portion of the light-shielding member 18. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , an opening formed by cutting out a portion of the light-shielding member 18 is used as the light-transmitting portion 18a, and the light-transmitting portion 18a may also be formed using a transparent resin or the like. In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the light-transmitting portion 18a is formed with a plurality of trapezoidal openings along the length direction of the light-guiding member 16. However, the shape and number of the light-transmitting portions 18a are not limited, and are designed according to the light-emitting shape to be expressed by the second reflecting portion 15b of the reflector 15. As an example, the front end of the light-shielding member 18 is made to extend over the entire width and be separated from the reflector 15, so that the light-transmitting portion 18a can extend over the entire width direction, and the reflector 15 is made to contact the front end of the light-shielding member 18, so that the light-transmitting portion 18a can be formed at a position close to the inner lens 19 away from the reflector 15.

A portion of the light emitted from the light guide member 16 passes through the light-transmitting portion 18a and reaches the second reflecting portion 15b of the reflector 15, and the light reflected by the second reflecting portion 15b is irradiated to the outside via the outer lens 13. By providing the light-transmitting portion 18a at a portion of the light shielding member 18, the shape of the light reaching the second reflecting portion 15b can be set to a shape corresponding to the light-transmitting portion 18a, and the light-emitting shape visually recognized from the outer lens 13 side can be adjusted by a simple structure, and the design of the light-emitting shape that can be expressed by the vehicle lamp 10 can be improved.

In the vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment, the reflector 15 contains a light-absorbing material, so the light reflected by the second reflecting portion 15b becomes lower in brightness than the light directly irradiated via the inner lens 19. As a result, it is possible to simultaneously express light emission with shades such as direct irradiation light and indirect irradiation light through one vehicle lamp 10, and it is possible to improve the design of the light emission shape. In addition, as described above, when a light scattering portion is formed on the surface of the second reflecting portion 15b, the outline of the light reflected by the second reflecting portion 15b is blurred, and it is possible to further irradiate light with a soft impression. In addition, by forming a light scattering portion, the viewing angle of the light reflected by the second reflecting portion 15b is expanded, and the visual recognition and design from the oblique side of the vehicle can be improved.

The inner lens 19 is a member made of a material that can transmit at least a portion of light, and is arranged between the light guide member 16 and the outer lens 13 in front of the light guide member 16. The shape of the inner lens 19 is not limited, and a lens shape with a curved surface can be used to adjust the light distribution. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the shading member 17 and the shading member 18 are integrally formed behind the inner lens 19, and are fixed in the lamp chamber via the shading member 17 and the shading member 18.

The light emitting element 20 is an optical element disposed opposite to the end surface of the light guide member 16, and is electrically connected to a power source and a driving circuit (not shown), and emits light by supplying power. The structure of the light emitting element 20 is not limited, and conventionally known elements such as light emitting diode elements, organic EL elements, and semiconductor laser elements can be used.

As described above, in the vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment, the light emitting element 20 allows the emitted light to enter the end surface of the light guide member 16, and the light is guided inside the light guide member 16. A part of the light guided inside the light guide member 16 (the first light) is reflected by the concave-convex steps, and is directly irradiated to the outside of the vehicle lamp 10 via the inner lens 19 and the outer lens 13. In addition, a part of the light guided inside the light guide member 16 (the second light) is reflected by the concave-convex steps, reaches the second reflecting portion 15b via the light transmitting portion 18a, is reflected, and is indirectly irradiated to the outside of the vehicle lamp 10 via the outer lens 13. Of the light irradiated from the light guide member 16, the light that has reached the light shielding members 17 and 18 is blocked, and the light irradiated to the outside from the second reflecting portion 15b has a light emission shape corresponding to the shape of the light transmitting portion 18a.

FIG3 is a photograph showing the appearance of the vehicle lamp 10 involved in the present embodiment, (a) in FIG3 is shown from the front when not lit, (b) in FIG3 is shown from the front when lit, (c) in FIG3 is shown from a 30-degree oblique angle when not lit, and (d) in FIG3 is shown from a 30-degree oblique angle when lit. In the non-lit state, the surrounding lighting is lit to reproduce the vehicle surrounding environment during the day, and in the lit state, the surrounding lighting is turned off to reproduce the vehicle surrounding environment at night. In the example shown in FIG3, the housing 11, the reflector 15, and the shading member 17 and the shading member 18 are formed of black resin, and tiny protrusions are formed two-dimensionally in the second reflecting portion 15b and embossed.

As shown in (a) and (c) of FIG. 3 , the internal structure of the vehicle lamp 10 cannot be visually recognized in the non-lit state, but the front surface portion of the inner lens 19 can be visually recognized. In addition, the second reflecting portion 15b of the reflector 15 and the shade 18 are completely black, so that people cannot feel their existence. In addition, the light-transmitting portion 18a of the shade 18 and the light-guiding member 16 cannot be visually recognized through the second reflecting portion 15b. This situation is the same whether viewed from the front or from the oblique front.

In addition, as shown in (b) in FIG. 3 and (d) in FIG. 3 , in the lit state, direct light irradiation from the light guide member 16 via the inner lens 19 and indirect light irradiation via the second reflecting portion 15b can be visually identified. In addition, the light irradiation via the second reflecting portion 15b has a lower contrast than the light irradiation via the inner lens 19, and becomes a blurred soft impression (blurred) light irradiation. In addition, the light-emitting shape of the second reflecting portion 15b becomes a light-emitting shape that reflects the shape of the light-transmitting portion 18a formed in the light-shielding member 18. In addition, whether from the front or from the oblique front, the light-emitting shape in the second reflecting portion 15b can be visually identified in the same manner. Therefore, it can be seen that a light irradiation pattern with high design can be achieved using the light guide member 16 and the reflector 15, and the internal structure can be hidden when not lit.

As described above, in the vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment, the reflector 15 containing a light absorbing material is used to reflect the light irradiated from the side of the light guide member 16, so that it is difficult to visually recognize the internal structure of the vehicle lamp 10 from the outside. Thus, a light irradiation pattern with high design can be realized using the light guide member 16 and the reflector 15, and the internal structure can be hidden when not lit.

(Second Embodiment)

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention is described using Figures 4 and 5. The contents repeated in the first embodiment are omitted. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the structure of the vehicle lamp 10 involved in this embodiment, (a) in Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view at a position where the light-transmitting portion 18a is formed, and (b) in Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view at a position where the light-transmitting portion 18a is not formed. In this embodiment, three concave and convex steps are formed in the light-guiding member 16, and the points where the first light, the second light, and the third light are irradiated from the side in three directions are different from those in the first embodiment. In Figure 4, the housing 11, the back panel 12, the outer lens 13, the spacer 14, and the light-emitting element 20 are omitted from illustration.

As shown in FIG4 , the vehicle lamp 10 includes a reflector 25, a light guide member 16, a light shielding member 18, and a light guide plate portion 30. In FIG4 , arrows drawn from the inside of the light guide member 16 toward the outside schematically show the path of light that is guided and scattered in the light guide member 16. In addition, the second light guide plate 31 of the light guide plate portion 30 is formed integrally with the first light guide plate 32. Here, an example in which the second light guide plate 31 and the first light guide plate 32 are formed integrally as the light guide plate portion 30 is shown, but they may also be formed separately as separate bodies.

The reflector 25 is arranged behind the light guide member 16 inside the housing 11, and is an optical member that reflects at least a portion of the light emitted from the light guide member 16 by the reflective surface. The material constituting the reflector 25 is not limited, but it is designed to contain a light-absorbing material at least in the reflective surface and absorb at least a portion of the visible light. In addition, the reflector 25 includes a first reflective portion 25a and a second reflective portion 25b, and the light shielding member 18 protrudes at the boundary position between the first reflective portion 25a and the second reflective portion 25b to form an integral body.

The light shielding member 18 is a protrusion formed integrally with the reflector 25, and is made of a light-shielding material that blocks light. In addition, a light-transmitting portion 18a that allows light to pass is partially formed in the light shielding member 18. As shown in (a) of FIG. 4 and (b) of FIG. 4, in the area where the light-transmitting portion 18a is formed, as shown by the dotted arrow, the light (second light) emitted from the light guide member 16 reaches the second reflecting portion 25b and is reflected. In the area where the light-transmitting portion 18a is not formed, the light emitted from the light guide member 16 is blocked by the light shielding member 18 and does not reach the second reflecting portion 25b.

The light guide plate portion 30 is composed of a second light guide plate 31 and a first light guide plate 32, and is an optical component that allows light to enter from one end and conduct light inside, and irradiates light to the outside from the other end. In the example shown in FIG. 4 , the second light guide plate 31 and the first light guide plate 32 are connected at the end opposite to the light guide member 16, and the two plates are formed into a roughly V shape. The second light guide plate 31 and the first light guide plate 32 are plate-shaped components respectively made of a material that allows light to pass through, and allow light irradiated from the light guide member 16 to enter from one end face, and irradiate light to the front from the other end face 31a and the end face 32a.

The second light guide plate 31 is arranged substantially horizontally in front of the light guide member 16, and as indicated by the solid arrow, a portion of the light (first light) emitted from the light guide member 16 enters from the rear end face, thereby directly irradiating the light to the outside from the front end face 31a via the outer lens 13. Here, an example of horizontally arranging the second light guide plate 31 is shown, but the shape and arrangement are not limited as long as the light is directly guided to the outside from the end face 31a from which the light is emitted.

The first light guide plate 32 is arranged obliquely in front of the light guide member 16, and the flat plate portion 32b of the first light guide plate 32 crosses the front of the second reflecting portion 25b of the reflector 25. As shown by the solid arrow, the first light guide plate 32 allows a part of the light (third light) irradiated from the light guide member 16 to enter from the rear end surface, and directly irradiates the light to the outside from the front end surface 32a via the outer lens 13. In addition, the first light guide plate 32 is made of a light-transmitting material, so the light (second light) reflected by the second reflecting portion 25b is transmitted from the back side to the front side at the flat plate portion 32b and irradiated to the outside from the outer lens 13.

FIG. 5 is a photograph showing the appearance of the vehicle lamp 10 involved in the present embodiment, wherein (a) in FIG. 5 is shown from the front when not lit, (b) in FIG. 5 is shown from the front when lit, (c) in FIG. 5 is shown from a 30-degree oblique angle when not lit, and (d) in FIG. 5 is shown from a 30-degree oblique angle when lit. In the non-lit state, the surrounding lighting is lit to reproduce the vehicle surrounding environment during the day, and in the lit state, the surrounding lighting is turned off to reproduce the vehicle surrounding environment at night. In the example shown in FIG. 5 , the housing 11, the reflector 25, and the shading member 18 are formed of black resin, and tiny protrusions are formed two-dimensionally in the second reflecting portion 25b and embossed.

As shown in (a) and (c) of FIG. 5 , in the non-lit state, the internal structure of the vehicle lamp 10 cannot be visually identified, but the front ends of the second light guide plate 31 and the first light guide plate 32, i.e., the end faces 31a and 32a, can be visually identified. In addition, the second reflecting portion 25b of the reflector 25 and the light shielding member 18 are completely black, so that people cannot feel their existence. In addition, the light-transmitting portion 18a of the light shielding member 18 and the light-guiding member 16 cannot be visually identified through the second reflecting portion 25b. This is the same whether viewed from the front or from the oblique front.

In addition, as shown in (b) of FIG. 5 and (d) of FIG. 5, in the lit state, direct light irradiation from the end faces 31a and 32a of the second light guide plate 31 and the first light guide plate 32, and indirect light irradiation via the second reflective portion 15b can be visually recognized. In addition, the light irradiation via the second reflective portion 15b and the flat portion 32b has a lower contrast than the light irradiation from the end faces 31a and 32a, and becomes a blurred soft impression (blurred) light irradiation. In addition, the light-emitting shape of the second reflective portion 25b is a light-emitting shape that reflects the shape of the light-transmitting portion 18a formed in the light-shielding member 18. In addition, the light-emitting shape in the second reflective portion 25b is visually recognized in the same manner whether from the front or from the oblique front. Therefore, it can be seen that a light irradiation pattern with high design can be achieved using the light guide member 16 and the reflector 25, and the internal structure is hidden when not lit.

As described above, in the vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment, the reflector 25 containing a light absorbing material is used to reflect the light irradiated from the side of the light guide member 16, so that it is difficult to visually recognize the internal structure of the vehicle lamp 10 from the outside. Thus, a light irradiation pattern with high design can be realized using the light guide member 16 and the reflector 25, and the internal structure can be hidden when not lit.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

This international application claims priority based on Japanese patent application No. 2021-159987 filed on September 29, 2021, and the entire contents of Japanese patent application No. 2021-159987 are cited in this international application.

The above description of the specific implementation of the present invention is a description for the purpose of illustration. These are not intended to include all or to limit the present invention to the described methods as they are. It is known to those skilled in the art that most deformations and changes can be compared with the above-described contents.

Description of Reference Numerals

10: Vehicle lamps;

11: Shell;

12: Back panel;

13: outer lens;

14: spacer;

15, 25: reflector;

15a, 25a: first reflecting part;

15b, 25b: second reflecting part;

15c: light shielding member holding portion;

16: light guide member;

17, 18: shading parts;

18a: light-transmitting part;

19: inner lens;

20: light emitting element;

30: light guide plate portion;

31: second light guide plate;

31a: end face;

32: first light guide plate;

32a: end face;

32b: Flat plate part.

Claims (7)

1. A vehicle lamp, characterized in that: The vehicle lamp comprises: a light source portion that radiates light; a light guide member for receiving light from the light source portion from an end surface, guiding the light inside, and irradiating a part of the light to the outside from a side surface; and a reflector that reflects the light emitted from the light guide member as reflected light, The reflector contains a light absorbing material. 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that: A light scattering portion is formed on a surface of the reflector. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The vehicle lamp includes a shading member, the shading member being made of a shading material. The light shielding member is disposed between the light guiding member and the reflector along a longitudinal direction of the light guiding member, and a light-transmitting portion for transmitting the light is partially formed on the light shielding member. 4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The light guide member irradiates the light as first light and second light in at least two directions of a first direction and a second direction. The reflector reflects the second light. 5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 4, characterized in that: The light guide member also irradiates the light as third light in a third direction. The vehicle lamp includes a first light guide plate that allows the third light to enter from one end surface, emits the third light from the other end surface, and transmits the reflected light from the rear side to the front side. 6. The vehicle lamp according to claim 4, characterized in that: The vehicle lamp includes a second light guide plate that allows the first light to enter from one end surface and emits the first light from the other end surface. 7. The vehicle lamp according to claim 4, characterized in that: The vehicle lamp includes an inner lens that transmits the first light.