JP4290601B2 - Vehicle lamp unit and vehicle lamp - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp unit and a vehicular lamp that use a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode as a light source.

  In recent years, a vehicular lamp unit that uses a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode as a light source has been widely used.

  In that case, in “Patent Document 1”, a light emitting element arranged forward on the optical axis extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp unit, and a translucent member arranged so as to cover the light emitting element from the front side are provided. A vehicle lamp unit provided is described.

  In this vehicular lamp unit, a first reflecting surface made of a substantially funnel-shaped rotating curved surface having a parabolic optical axis orthogonal cross section is formed on the front surface of the translucent member. Light from the light emitting element incident on the optical member is internally reflected as light that spreads radially outward in the radial direction with respect to the optical axis. Then, the reflected light from the first reflecting surface is internally reflected forward on the second reflecting surface formed on the rear surface of the translucent member, and then the reflected light emitting surface formed on the front surface of the translucent member. It is the structure made to radiate | emit ahead from.

  On the other hand, “Patent Document 2” describes a vehicle lamp unit in which a light source is an incandescent bulb, but a translucent member arranged so as to cover the incandescent bulb from the front side is configured as a narrow member. . In this translucent member, the light from the incandescent bulb incident on the translucent member is internally reflected on the front surface, and then the reflected light is forwarded by a plurality of reflective elements formed on the rear surface of the translucent member. The light is reflected and emitted from the front surface to the front.

JP 2004-87461 A JP 58-135501 A

  Although the translucent member of the vehicle lamp unit described in the above-mentioned “Patent Document 1” is configured as a circular member, when a plurality of vehicular lamp units are incorporated as part of the vehicular lamp, It is preferable in terms of space efficiency and the like that the translucent member is configured as a narrow member.

  However, in the vehicle lamp unit described in the above-mentioned “Patent Document 1”, light from the light emitting element incident on the translucent member spreads radially on the substantially reflective first reflecting surface formed on the front surface thereof. Since the light is internally reflected as light, when the translucent member is configured as a narrow member, most of the light from the light emitting element is incident on the side end surface of the translucent member, and is therefore reflected by the first reflective surface. Then, there is a problem that the light flux incident on the second reflecting surface is reduced.

  On the other hand, in the vehicular lamp unit described in “Patent Document 2”, since the front surface of the translucent member configured as an elongated member is formed in a flat shape, the light beam reflected on the front surface and incident on the rear surface is reflected. Although it is possible to increase the ratio somewhat, it is still insufficient to increase the luminous flux utilization rate for the light from the light emitting element. In addition, the translucent member has an inner surface reflection region that internally reflects light from the incandescent bulb on the front surface, and also serves as a reflected light emission region that emits light reflected internally on the rear surface to the front. The degree of freedom of the surface shape is limited, and the light distribution control for the light from the incandescent bulb cannot be performed with high accuracy. For this reason, there exists a problem that the appearance of a translucent member when a vehicle lamp unit is turned on is not so good.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in a vehicular lamp unit that uses a light emitting element as a light source, a translucent member that covers the light emitting element from the front side is configured as a narrow member. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular lamp unit and a vehicular lamp provided with the vehicular lamp unit that can improve the appearance at the time of lighting while increasing the utilization factor of light flux from the light emitting element. is there.

  The present invention is intended to achieve the above-mentioned object by devising the surface shape of the translucent member.

That is, the vehicular lamp unit according to the present invention is:
In a vehicle lamp unit comprising: a light emitting element disposed forward on an optical axis extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp unit; and a translucent member disposed so as to cover the light emitting element from the front side.
Part of the front surface of the light transmitting member, constituting the light from the light emitting element incident on the light transmitting member, as a first reflecting surface for internal reflection substantially as parallel light toward radially outwardly with respect to the optical axis Has been
A part of the rear surface of the translucent member is configured as a second reflecting surface that internally reflects light from the light emitting element that is internally reflected by the first reflecting surface toward the front,
A portion of the front surface of the translucent member that is located radially outward of the first reflecting surface reflects the light from the light emitting element that is internally reflected by the second reflecting surface to the front from the translucent member. Configured as an exit surface,
The second reflecting surface is composed of a plurality of reflecting elements formed stepwise in the radial direction ,
The portions constituting the second reflecting surface and the reflected light emitting surface of the translucent member are formed so as to be elongated in the radial direction with respect to the optical axis,
The second reflecting surface and the reflected light emitting surface are formed with a cylindrical surface having a central axis as an axis extending through the light emitting element and extending in the radial direction as a reference surface .

  The vehicle lamp in which the “vehicle lamp unit” is incorporated is not limited to a specific type of vehicle lamp, and for example, a tail lamp, a stop lamp, or the like can be employed. In this case, the “vehicle lamp” may have a configuration including only one vehicle lamp unit or a configuration including a plurality of vehicle lamp units.

  The “light-emitting element” means an element-like light source having a light-emitting portion that emits light substantially in a dot shape, and the type thereof is not particularly limited. For example, a light-emitting diode, a laser diode, or the like It can be adopted.

  The “translucent member” is not particularly limited as long as it is a translucent member. For example, a material composed of a transparent synthetic resin or a material composed of glass is adopted. Is possible.

  The specific position of “a part of the front surface of the translucent member” configured as the “first reflective surface” is not particularly limited. Further, the “inner surface reflection” in the “first reflection surface” may be performed by total reflection, or may be performed by applying a mirror surface treatment to the first reflection surface.

  The “second reflecting surface” is composed of a plurality of reflecting elements formed stepwise in the radial direction, and is configured to internally reflect the light from the light emitting element reflected on the inner surface by the first reflecting surface. If it is what was done, specific structures, such as the surface shape of each reflective element and its arrangement | positioning, will not be specifically limited. Further, the “inner surface reflection” in the “second reflection surface” may be performed by total reflection, or may be performed by applying a mirror surface treatment to the second reflection surface.

  The “reflected light emitting surface” may be a surface configured to pass light from the light emitting element internally reflected by the second reflecting surface toward the front of the lamp unit as it is. The surface may be configured to diffuse.

  As shown in the above configuration, the vehicular lamp unit according to the present invention has a light-emitting element disposed forward on an optical axis extending in the front-rear direction, and transparent so as to cover the light-emitting element from the front side. Since the optical member is disposed, the light from the light emitting element can be efficiently taken into the translucent member.

  At this time, a part of the front surface of the translucent member is composed of a rotating paraboloid having a central axis extending through the light emission center of the light emitting element and extending in the radial direction with respect to the optical axis. Is configured as a first reflecting surface that reflects the inner surface of the light transmitting member as a substantially parallel light radially outward with respect to the optical axis, and a part of the rear surface of the translucent member is internally reflected by the first reflecting surface. Since the light from the light emitting element is configured as the second reflecting surface that reflects the light toward the inside, the light emitting element reflected by the first reflecting surface even when the light transmitting member is configured as a narrow member. Most of the light from the light can be incident on the second reflecting surface, whereby the luminous flux utilization rate for the light from the light emitting element can be increased.

  In addition, since the second reflecting surface is composed of a plurality of reflecting elements formed stepwise in the radial direction, when the translucent member is observed from the front of the lamp unit, the plurality of radial positions are discrete. You can make it look bright and shiny. At that time, since the internal reflection light from the first reflection surface is incident on each of these reflection elements as substantially parallel light, the reflection light is accurately controlled by appropriately setting the surface shape of each of these reflection elements. be able to. In addition, the accuracy of the reflected light control can be maintained substantially constant even when the formation position of each reflective element is changed in the radial direction, so that the spacing between the reflective elements is obtained so as to obtain a desired appearance. Can be set to any value.

  Further, on the front surface of the translucent member, the reflected light emitting surface for emitting the inner surface reflected light from the second reflecting surface to the front is located radially outward of the first reflecting surface, and the inner surface reflecting as in the past. Since the area is not configured to double as the reflected light emitting area, the reflected light emitting surface can be set to a surface shape that takes into account only the emitted light control, thereby performing the emitted light control accurately. Can do.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the vehicular lamp unit using the light emitting element as a light source, the light flux with respect to the light from the light emitting element even when the light transmitting member that covers the light emitting element from the front side is configured as the narrow member. The emission light control can be performed with high accuracy while increasing the utilization rate, thereby improving the appearance during lighting.

  In the above configuration, if a plurality of grooves extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the radial direction are formed in the stepped portion between the respective reflective elements on the rear surface of the translucent member, stray light in the translucent member is prevented from being generated. Each groove can be diffused and reflected in the radial direction, so that each step can be made to appear somewhat bright. And thereby, the appearance of the translucent member when the vehicular lamp unit is turned on can be further improved. At this time, the cross-sectional shape and the number of formed “grooves” are not particularly limited.

  In the above configuration, the reflected light emitting surface on the front surface of the translucent member may be formed in a through shape. However, if a plurality of diffusing lens elements are formed, the reflected light emitting surface is formed. Even when the surface is observed from an oblique direction deviating from the front direction of the lamp unit, it can be seen in the same manner of light as when observed from the front direction. Can be improved.

  In the above configuration, if the second reflecting surface and the reflected light emitting surface are formed with a cylindrical surface having the central axis of the paraboloid of the rotating paraboloid constituting the first reflecting surface as a reference surface, the first reflecting surface is the inner surface. The substantially parallel light that is reflected and goes radially outward can be efficiently reflected and emitted, thereby further increasing the luminous flux utilization factor. Moreover, even when the translucent member is observed from an oblique direction deviating in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction with respect to the front direction of the lamp unit, it is possible to ensure a substantially equivalent appearance as observed from the front direction. .

  In the above configuration, a region located in the vicinity of the optical axis on the front surface of the light transmitting member is configured as a direct light emitting surface that directly emits light from the light emitting element incident on the light transmitting member to the front, and the direct light emitting surface. If the first reflection surface, the second reflection surface, and the reflected light emission surface are formed on each side of the first and second reflection surfaces, the following operational effects can be obtained.

  That is, the reflection that appears to be emitted by the light emitted forward from the reflected light emitting surface via the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface on both sides of the direct light emitting region that appears to be illuminated by the emitted light from the direct light emitting surface. Since the light emission region is formed, it is possible to make the region emitting light in the translucent member appear wider. In addition, since the direct light emission region and the reflected light emission region on both sides thereof are different from each other, the appearance of the lamp unit can be further improved.

  Furthermore, as a configuration of the vehicular lamp according to the present invention, a configuration in which at least one of the vehicular lamp units is arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the radial direction in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a translucent cover. On the inner surface of the translucent cover, a plurality of diffusing lens elements are provided in a band-like region extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the radial direction so as to straddle the optical axis of each vehicle lamp unit in the radial direction. With the formed configuration, the light emitted from the direct light exit surface incident on the belt-like region can be diffused by each diffusing lens element, so that when the vehicle lamp is observed from the front, the belt-like region is substantially the same. It can be made to shine uniformly, and this can further improve the appearance of the vehicular lamp. In addition, when the vehicle lamp in a non-lighting state is observed from the front, the belt-like region appears to float in front of the plurality of vehicle lamp units, so that the vehicle lamp can have a further three-dimensional effect, Thereby, the novelty of the lamp design can be further enhanced.

  At that time, if the mirror surface treatment is applied to the rear surface of the at least one vehicle lamp unit on the inner surface of the lamp body, the light leaks from the translucent member of each of the vehicle lamp units to the rear side. Since light is reflected from the inner surface of the lamp body and irradiated to the front of the vehicular lamp, when the vehicular lamp is observed from the front, each vehicular lamp unit and the inner surface of the surrounding lamp body are different. As a result, the appearance of the vehicle lamp can be improved. In addition, when the vehicle lamp in a non-lighting state is observed from the front, each vehicle lamp unit appears to be reflected on the inner surface of the lamp body, so that the vehicle lamp can be given a three-dimensional effect. The design of the lamp can be innovative.

  When a plurality of the vehicle lamp units are arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the radial direction, the plurality of vehicle lamp units can be incorporated into the vehicle lamp with high space efficiency.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicular lamp unit 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are a sectional view taken along line II-II and a sectional view taken along line III-III, respectively. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the vehicle lamp unit 10.

  As shown in these drawings, the vehicular lamp unit 10 includes a light emitting element 12 disposed forward on an optical axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction, and a light emitting element 12 that covers the light emitting element 12 from the front side. The translucent member 14 and a metal support plate 16 that supports the light emitting element 12 are provided.

  The light emitting element 12 is a red light emitting diode in which a light emitting chip 12a having a size of about 0.3 to 3 mm square is covered with a sealing resin member 12b in a hemispherical shape, and its light emitting center (that is, the center of the light emitting chip 12a). ) Is positioned on the optical axis Ax and fixed to the support plate 16.

  The translucent member 14 is a transparent synthetic resin molded article, and is configured as a vertically symmetric narrow member extending in a substantially rectangular shape in the vertical direction in the front view and constricted in the center in the vertical direction. A light source mounting portion 14c that protrudes rearward in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is formed at the center of the translucent member 14 in the vertical direction, and a concave portion 14c2 is formed on the rear end surface 14c1. Then, the support plate 16 is brought into contact with the rear end surface 14c1 of the light source mounting portion 14c, and the light emitting element 12 is accommodated in the concave portion 14c2.

  The concave portion 14c2 of the light source mounting portion 14c has a cylindrical inner peripheral surface, and the front end surface of the light source mounting portion 14c receives light from the light emitting element 12 (hereinafter also referred to as “light source emission light”) to the translucent member 14. The light incident surface 14E is made incident. The light incident surface 14E is formed of a spherical surface with the light emission center of the light emitting element 12 as the center, so that the light emitted from the light source incident on the light incident surface 14E travels straight.

  A horizontally long belt-like region located in the vicinity of the optical axis Ax on the front surface 14a of the translucent member 14 is configured as a direct light exit surface 14A that directly emits light emitted from the light source incident on the translucent member 14 forward. Similarly to the light incident surface 14E, the direct light output surface 14A is also formed of a spherical surface centered on the light emission center of the light emitting element 12, and thus the light source output light that has reached the direct light output surface 14A travels straight as it is. It is made to emit as the light to do.

  Since the translucent member 14 has a vertically symmetrical shape as described above, the configuration of the upper half of the translucent member 14 will be described below.

  In the front surface 14a of the translucent member 14, a region adjacent to the upper side of the direct light exit surface 14A is a first portion that internally reflects light emitted from the light source incident on the translucent member 14 as substantially parallel light upward in the vertical direction. It is configured as one reflective surface 14B. In order to realize this, the first reflecting surface 14B is a rotating paraboloid having an axis Ax1 extending through the light emission center of the light emitting element 12 in the vertical direction as a central axis (in FIG. (Shown by a dotted line). At this time, since the light emitted from the light source is incident on the first reflecting surface 14B at an incident angle exceeding the critical angle, the internal reflection on the first reflecting surface 14B is performed by total reflection.

  In the rear surface 14b of the translucent member 14, a region adjacent to the upper side of the light source mounting portion 14c is configured as a second reflecting surface 14C that reflects the light source emitted light that has been internally reflected by the first reflecting surface 14B toward the inside. Yes. The second reflecting surface 14C is composed of three reflecting elements 14s1 formed in a stepped shape upward.

  Each of the reflecting elements 14s1 is formed with a cylindrical surface having the axis Ax1 as a central axis as a reference surface. Specifically, each of these reflecting elements 14s1 is formed of a conical surface that extends obliquely upward at an angle of 45 ° from each of three cylindrical surfaces having different inner diameters, and thereby the inner surface is reflected by the first reflecting surface 14B. The light emitted from the light source is internally reflected as light spreading radially with respect to the axis Ax1 on the same horizontal plane. At this time, since light emitted from the light source is incident on each of the reflecting elements 14s1 at an incident angle exceeding the critical angle, the internal reflection in the reflecting element 14s1 is performed by total reflection.

  A plurality of groove portions 14g extending in the horizontal direction along the cylindrical surfaces are formed at the step portions between the reflective elements 14s1 on the rear surface of the light transmitting member 14. Each of the grooves 14g has a V-shaped vertical cross section.

  In the front surface 14a of the translucent member 14, a region adjacent to the upper side of the first reflecting surface 14B is a reflected light emitting surface that emits light emitted from the light source that is internally reflected by the second reflecting surface 14C from the translucent member 14 to the front. It is configured as 14D. A plurality of diffusion lens elements 14s2 are formed on the reflected light exit surface 14D.

  Each of these diffusing lens elements 14s2 is formed with a cylindrical surface having the axis Ax1 as a central axis as a reference surface. Specifically, each of these diffusing lens elements 14s2 includes a plurality of segments divided in a lattice shape on a cylindrical surface that is slightly larger than the cylindrical surface constituting the reference surface of each reflective element 14s in the second reflective surface 14C. Each of these is configured by assigning a fisheye lens. The diffused lens elements 14s2 diffuse the inner surface reflected light from the reflecting elements 14s1 constituting the second reflecting surface 14C in the vertical and horizontal directions.

  FIG. 5 is a front view showing the vehicle lamp unit 10 according to the present embodiment in a state where the vehicle lamp unit 10 is turned on.

  As shown in the figure, when the vehicular lamp unit 10 is observed from the front direction, the light emitting element 12 emitting light through the direct light exit surface 14A of the translucent member 14 has a high brightness. It looks directly as B0, and a pair of upper and lower reflected light exit surfaces 14D appear to shine in horizontal stripes. At this time, each of the reflected light exit surfaces 14D has a horizontally long thin band-like region located in front of each reflective element 14s1 shining as a bright glitter portion B1, and a horizontally long and thick belt-like region located in front of each groove 14g. It appears to shine as a somewhat bright brilliant part B2. Each of the first reflective surfaces 14B also appears to shine as a bright portion B3 where the band-like region near the reflected light emitting surface 14D located in front of each groove portion 14g is somewhat bright.

  As described above in detail, in the vehicular lamp unit 10 according to the present embodiment, the light emitting element 12 is disposed forward on the optical axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction, and the light emitting element 12 is disposed from the front side. Since the translucent member 14 is arranged so as to cover, the light emitted from the light source can be efficiently taken into the translucent member 14.

  At this time, a part of the front surface 14 a of the light transmissive member 14 is a rotating paraboloid having an axis Ax1 extending in the vertical direction through the light emission center of the light emitting element 12, and the light source incident on the light transmissive member 14. The emitted light is configured as a pair of first reflecting surfaces 14B that reflect the inner surface as substantially parallel light in both the upper and lower directions, and a part of the rear surface 14b of the translucent member 14 is a pair of first reflecting surfaces. Since it is configured as a pair of second reflecting surfaces 14C for reflecting the light emitted from the light source reflected internally by the reflecting surface 14B toward the front, the translucent member 14 is configured as a narrow member. Most of the light emitted from the light source reflected by each first reflecting surface 14B can be made incident on each second reflecting surface 14C, thereby increasing the luminous flux utilization factor for the light emitted from the light source.

  Further, each of the second reflecting surfaces 14C is composed of three reflecting elements 14s1 formed stepwise in both the upper and lower directions. Therefore, when the translucent member 14 is observed from the front of the lamp unit, each second reflecting surface 14C is formed. It is possible to make three portions in the vertical direction on the surface 14C appear to shine discretely and brightly as the bright portion B1. At that time, since a plurality of grooves 14g extending in the horizontal direction are formed in the step portions between the reflecting elements 14s1 on the rear surface 14b of each light transmissive member 14, stray light in the light transmissive member 14 is transmitted to each groove portion. In 14g, it is possible to diffusely reflect in the vertical direction, whereby each stepped portion can be made to appear somewhat bright as the bright portions B2 and B3. And thereby, the appearance of the translucent member 14 when the vehicular lamp unit 10 is turned on can be further improved.

  Furthermore, on the front surface 14a of the translucent member 14, each reflected light emitting surface 14D for emitting the inner surface reflected light from each second reflecting surface 14C forward is located radially outward of each first reflecting surface 14B. In addition, since the internal reflection area is not configured to serve as the reflected light emission area as in the prior art, each of the reflected light emission surfaces 14D can be set to a surface shape considering only emission light control, Thereby, outgoing light control can be performed with high accuracy.

  Moreover, since each of the reflected light exit surfaces 14D is formed with a plurality of diffusing lens elements 14s2, the reflected light exit surface 14D is separated from the front direction of the vehicular lamp unit 10 or from an oblique direction further away from the oblique direction. Even in the case of observation, it can be made to appear in the same way as when observed from the front direction, thereby improving the appearance of each reflected light exit surface 14D.

  As described above, in the vehicular lamp unit 10 according to the present embodiment, the light-transmitting member 14 that covers the light-emitting element 12 from the front side is configured as a narrow member, but the light from the light-emitting element 12 is not affected. The emitted light control can be performed with high accuracy after increasing the luminous flux utilization factor, thereby improving the appearance during lighting.

  At this time, in the present embodiment, each of the second reflecting surfaces 14C and each of the reflected light emitting surfaces 14D is formed with a cylindrical surface having the axis Ax1 as a central axis as a reference surface, and thus each first reflecting surface 14B. Thus, the substantially parallel light reflected from the inner surface and traveling in both the upper and lower directions can be efficiently reflected and emitted, whereby the luminous flux utilization rate can be further increased and either the left or right direction from the front direction of the vehicular lamp unit 10 can be increased. Even when the translucent member 14 is observed from an oblique direction deviating in the direction, the appearance almost the same as that observed from the front direction can be ensured.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a region located in the vicinity of the optical axis Ax on the front surface 14a of the translucent member 14 is configured as a direct light exit surface 14A that directly emits light emitted from the light source incident on the translucent member 14 forward. Therefore, the light-emitting element 12 can be seen directly as the high-brightness bright part B0 through the direct light exit surface 14A, but the bright parts B1, B2, and B3 appear to shine on both the upper and lower sides of the bright part B0. , The light emitting area can be shown wide. Moreover, at that time, the bright part B0 and the bright parts B1, B2, and B3 on the upper and lower sides are greatly different from each other, and the bright parts B1, B2, and B3 also shine in horizontal stripes due to the difference in luminance. Therefore, the appearance of the vehicular lamp unit 10 can be further improved.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since each 1st reflective surface 14B and each 2nd reflective surface 14C in the translucent member 14 are comprised as a total reflection surface, it is not necessary to perform the mirror surface process on the surface, and it is an inner surface. Reflection can be performed. For this reason, the translucent member 14 can have a crystal feeling, whereby the appearance of the vehicular lamp unit 10 when not lit can be further improved.

  In the present embodiment, the internal reflection light from each first reflection surface 14B is incident on the three reflection elements 14s1 constituting each second reflection surface 14C as substantially parallel light, so that each reflection element 14s1 is formed. Even if the position is changed in the vertical direction, the accuracy of the reflected light control can be maintained substantially constant. Therefore, even when the interval between the reflecting elements 14s1 is appropriately changed so that a desired appearance can be obtained, it is possible to make the translucent member 14 appear to shine almost entirely.

  Next, the vehicular lamp according to this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a front view showing the vehicular lamp 50 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII-VII.

  As shown in these drawings, the vehicular lamp 50 is a tail lamp disposed at the rear end portion of the vehicle, and includes a lamp body 52 formed in a substantially vertical wall shape, and a front side of the lamp body 52 (vehicle In the lamp chamber formed by the translucent cover 54 arranged on the “rear side” (the same applies hereinafter), a plurality of (for example, six) vehicle lamp units 10 are provided at predetermined intervals in the vehicle width direction. Has been placed.

  In the lamp body 52, unit support portions 52b for supporting each vehicle lamp unit 10 are formed at a plurality of locations in the vehicle width direction. Each of these unit support portions 52b is configured as a rectangular opening so that the light source mounting portion 14c and the support plate 16 of the translucent member 14 in each vehicle lamp unit 10 are inserted through the opening. It comes to support.

  The inner surface 52a of the lamp body 52 is mirror-finished by aluminum vapor deposition or the like over the entire area. As a result, the light leaked rearward from the translucent member 14 of each vehicle lamp unit 10 is reflected by the inner surface 52a of the lamp body 52 and irradiated to the front of the vehicle lamp 50.

  The translucent cover 54 is formed in a transparent shape, and a plurality of diffusing lens elements are provided on the inner surface of the belt-shaped region 54A extending in the horizontal direction so as to straddle the optical axis Ax of each vehicle lamp unit 10 vertically. 54s is formed. As a result, the outgoing light from the direct light outgoing surface 14A of each vehicle lamp unit 10 incident on the belt-like region 54A is diffused in the vertical and horizontal directions.

  FIG. 8 is a front view showing the vehicular lamp 50 according to the present embodiment in a state where each vehicular lamp unit 10 is turned on.

  As shown in the figure, when the vehicular lamp 50 is observed from the front direction, the pair of upper and lower reflected light emitting surfaces 14D and the first reflecting surface 14B of each vehicular lamp unit 10 are bright portions B1 and B2. , B3 appears to shine in horizontal stripes, and the band-like region 54A of the translucent cover 54 appears to shine as a bright glitter portion B4. Further, the inner surface 52a of the lamp body 52 appears to shine as a faint radiant portion B5 around each of the vehicle lamp units 10.

  As described above, in the vehicular lamp 50 according to the present embodiment, the plurality of vehicular lamp units 10 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vehicle width direction in a state where the translucent member 14 configured as a narrow member thereof is placed vertically. Therefore, the plurality of vehicle lamp units 10 can be incorporated into the vehicle lamp 50 with high space efficiency.

  Moreover, since the inner surface 52a of the lamp body 52 located behind the plurality of vehicle lamp units 10 is mirror-finished, it leaks from the translucent member 14 of each vehicle lamp unit 10 to the rear side. The reflected light can be reflected by the inner surface 52 a of the lamp body 52 and irradiated to the front of the vehicular lamp 50. Thus, when the vehicular lamp 50 is observed from the front, each vehicular lamp unit 10 and the inner surface 52a of the lamp body 52 around the vehicular lamp unit 10 can be seen in different ways. 50 appearances can be improved. Further, when the vehicular lamp 50 in a non-lighting state is observed from the front, each vehicular lamp unit 10 appears to be reflected on the inner surface 52a of the lamp body 52, so that the vehicular lamp 50 can have a three-dimensional effect. Thus, the design of the vehicular lamp 50 can be provided with novelty.

  At that time, a plurality of diffusing lens elements 54s are formed on the inner surface of the translucent cover 54 in the belt-like region 54A extending in the horizontal direction so as to straddle the optical axis Ax of each vehicle lamp unit 10 vertically. The outgoing light from the direct light outgoing surface 14A incident on the belt-like region 54A can be diffused by each diffusing lens element 54s. As a result, when the vehicular lamp 50 is observed from the front, the band-shaped region 54A can be seen to shine substantially uniformly, thereby further improving the appearance of the vehicular lamp 50. Further, when the vehicular lamp 50 in a non-lighting state is observed from the front, the belt-like region 54A appears to float up in front of the plurality of vehicular lamp units 10, so that the vehicular lamp 50 has a further three-dimensional effect. Thus, the novelty of the lamp design can be further enhanced.

  By the way, in the vehicle lamp unit 10 according to the above-described embodiment, each first reflecting surface 14B of the translucent member 14 has been described as being configured by the three reflecting elements 14s1, but there are two or four or more. Of course, it may be composed of the reflective element 14s1.

  In the vehicular lamp unit 10 according to the above embodiment, the reflecting element 14s1 constituting each first reflecting surface 14B of the translucent member 14 has a linear cross section inclined by 45 ° with respect to the optical axis Ax. However, it is also possible to have a curved cross section. In such a case, since the reflected light from each of the reflecting elements 14s1 can be diffused in the vertical direction, each reflected light emitting surface 14D can be formed through.

  Furthermore, in the vehicular lamp unit 10 according to the above-described embodiment, the direct-light emitting surface 14A of the translucent member 14 of the light-emitting element 12 directly emits light emitted from the light source incident on the translucent member 14 forward. Although described as being composed of a spherical surface centered on the emission center, it is also possible to constitute the direct light exit surface 14A with a curved surface or plane other than this and diffuse the emitted light, It is also possible to greatly diffuse the emitted light by forming a plurality of lens elements on the surface.

  Moreover, in the vehicle lamp unit 10 according to the above-described embodiment, the translucent member 14 has been described as being configured in a vertically symmetrical shape, but it may be configured in a vertically asymmetrical shape. Of course.

  Furthermore, in the vehicular lamp unit 10 according to the above-described embodiment, the translucent member 14 includes a pair of upper and lower first reflecting surfaces 14B, second reflecting surfaces 14C, and reflected light emitting surfaces 14D. Although described, a configuration having only one of them is also possible.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the vehicle lamp unit 10 demonstrated as what is used in the state which has arrange | positioned the translucent member 14 vertically, other states (for example, translucent member 14 is laterally arranged). Of course, it is possible to use it in a state of being placed in a place.

  Furthermore, in the vehicular lamp unit 10 according to the above embodiment, the light emitting element 12 has been described as being housed in the concave portion 14c2 formed in the light source mounting portion 14c of the translucent member 14, but FIG. Like the vehicular lamp unit 110 shown, the light emitting element 12 is sealed by the light transmissive member 14, and the sealing resin member 12 b of the light emitting element 12 and the light incident surface of the light transmissive member 14 are in close contact with each other. Is also possible. In such a case, the light emitted from the light source is directly incident on the translucent member 14, so that it is possible to eliminate the light flux loss due to the interface reflection on the light incident surface. Instead of doing this, it is also possible to employ a configuration in which the light emitting chip 12a of the light emitting element 12 is directly sealed by the translucent member 14, and in this case, the sealing resin member 12b is eliminated. be able to.

  In the above embodiment, the vehicular lamp 50 is described as being a tail lamp. However, when the vehicular lamp 50 is a vehicular lamp (for example, a stop lamp, a tail & stop lamp, a clearance lamp, a turn signal lamp, etc.). However, by adopting the same configuration as that of the above embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as these.

The front view which shows the vehicle lamp unit which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. II-II sectional view of Fig. 1 Sectional view along line III-III in Fig. 1 The perspective view which shows the said vehicle lamp unit The front view shown in the state which turned on the said vehicle lamp unit The front view which shows the vehicle lamp incorporating the said vehicle lamp unit Sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. The front view which shows the said vehicle lamp in the state which turned on each vehicle lamp unit The same figure as FIG. 2 which shows the modification of the said vehicle lamp unit

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 110 Vehicle lamp unit 12 Light emitting element 12a Light emitting chip 12b Sealing resin member 14 Translucent member 14A Direct light emitting surface 14B First reflecting surface 14C Second reflecting surface 14D Reflected light emitting surface 14E Light incident surface 14a Front surface 14b Rear surface 14c Light source mounting portion 14c1 Rear end surface 14c2 Concave portion 14g Groove portion 14s1 Reflective element 14s2 Diffuse lens element 16 Support plate 50 Vehicle lamp 52 Lamp body 52a Inner surface 52b Unit support portion 54 Translucent cover 54A Band-shaped region 54s Diffuse lens element Ax Optical axis Ax B0, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5 Bright part P Parabola

Claims (6)

In a vehicle lamp unit comprising: a light emitting element disposed forward on an optical axis extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp unit; and a translucent member disposed so as to cover the light emitting element from the front side.
Part of the front surface of the light transmitting member, constituting the light from the light emitting element incident on the light transmitting member, as a first reflecting surface for internal reflection substantially as parallel light toward radially outwardly with respect to the optical axis Has been
A part of the rear surface of the translucent member is configured as a second reflecting surface that internally reflects light from the light emitting element that is internally reflected by the first reflecting surface toward the front,
A portion of the front surface of the translucent member that is located radially outward of the first reflecting surface reflects the light from the light emitting element that is internally reflected by the second reflecting surface to the front from the translucent member. Configured as an exit surface,
The second reflecting surface is composed of a plurality of reflecting elements formed stepwise in the radial direction ,
The portions constituting the second reflecting surface and the reflected light emitting surface of the translucent member are formed so as to be elongated in the radial direction with respect to the optical axis,
The vehicular lamp unit, wherein the second reflecting surface and the reflected light emitting surface are formed with a cylindrical surface having a central axis as an axis extending through the light emitting element and extending in the radial direction as a reference surface . A part of the front surface of the translucent member is a rotating paraboloid with the axis as the central axis,
  2. The vehicular lamp unit according to claim 1, wherein a light incident surface on which light from the light emitting element is incident on the light transmissive member is a spherical surface centered on the light emitting element. Each reflecting element constituting the second reflecting surface is constituted by a conical surface having the axis as a central axis,
  The vehicular lamp unit according to claim 1, wherein a diffuser lens element is formed in a portion of the reflected light emitting surface located in front of each of the reflecting elements. A region located in the vicinity of the optical axis on the front surface of the translucent member is configured as a direct light exit surface that directly emits light from the light emitting element incident on the translucent member to the front. The vehicular lamp unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein one set of the first reflecting surface, the second reflecting surface, and the reflected light emitting surface is formed on both sides of the surface. The vehicular lamp unit according to claim 4 is arranged in a lamp chamber formed by the lamp body and the translucent cover,
  A diffusing lens element is formed on a portion of the direct light emission surface of the vehicle lamp unit or an inner surface of the translucent cover that is positioned in front of the direct light emission surface of the vehicle lamp unit. A vehicular lamp characterized by the above. 6. The vehicular lamp according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of vehicular lamp units according to claim 4 are disposed in the lamp chamber in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial line extending in the radial direction.

Images