CN114060761A

CN114060761A - Vehicle lamp with road surface drawing function

Info

Publication number: CN114060761A
Application number: CN202110746767.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 金子进; 渡边贤; 鬼头壮宜
Original assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co Ltd
Current assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-08-04
Filing date: 2021-07-01
Publication date: 2022-02-18
Also published as: WO2022030387A1; CN216814033U; JP2022029215A

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle lamp having a simple structure and a road surface drawing function, which has both the functions of a headlamp or a beacon light and the road surface drawing function. In a vehicle lamp having a road surface drawing function in addition to a function as a headlamp or a beacon light, an optical unit having one light source and functioning as a headlamp or a beacon light irradiates a portion of light emitted from the light source with a predetermined light distribution, and a road surface drawing unit functioning as a road surface drawing projects the other portion of the light emitted from the light source on a road surface as a drawing pattern associated with the irradiation purpose of the optical unit. Since one light source is used as a light source common to the optical unit and the road surface drawing unit, the configuration is simple, and the functional effect is high by the illumination associated with the purpose.

Description

Vehicle lamp with road surface drawing function

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp, and more particularly, to a vehicle lamp having a function of drawing a road surface in addition to a function of a headlamp or a beacon light.

Background

In some vehicle lamps including an optical unit that functions as a headlamp or a beacon light, a drawing unit that irradiates a desired drawing pattern on a road surface is also mounted together with the optical unit (for example, patent document 1).

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2016-

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in the vehicle lamp of patent document 1, since both the optical unit functioning as a headlamp or a beacon light and the drawing unit for irradiating a desired drawing pattern to a road surface are mounted in the same lamp chamber, the housing becomes large, and the control system also becomes complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a vehicle lamp having a simple configuration and a road surface drawing function.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above-described problems, an aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle lamp having a road surface drawing function in addition to a function as a headlamp or a beacon light, the vehicle lamp including an optical unit that uses a common light source and functions as a headlamp or a beacon light, and a road surface drawing unit that functions as a projector for projecting a drawing pattern onto a road surface, the optical unit and the road surface drawing unit being configured to perform irradiation in association with an irradiation purpose. According to this aspect, since the light source is shared, the entire size can be reduced. Moreover, the emission contents are correlated, and the functional effect can be improved by the synergistic effect.

In one aspect, the optical unit irradiates a portion of the light emitted from the light source with light in a predetermined light distribution pattern, and the road surface drawing unit projects the other portion of the light emitted from the light source on the road surface in a drawing pattern associated with the irradiation purpose of the optical unit. According to this aspect, since the light emitted from one light source is shared, the light distribution is linked to the timing of turning on and off the drawing pattern. The structure can be simplified without requiring a complicated control mechanism.

In one aspect, the road surface drawing means includes a lens that forms incident light into a predetermined drawing pattern and emits the light. Since the drawing pattern can be irradiated only by incident light, a control circuit is not required, and the configuration can be simplified.

In one aspect, the light source used in common by the optical unit and the road surface drawing unit includes a plurality of light emitting elements, and the plurality of light emitting elements are arranged in a manner determined by a shape of a drawing pattern projected by the road surface drawing unit. The required characteristics vary depending on the shape of the drawing pattern projected onto the road surface. By matching the arrangement of the light emitting elements to the desired characteristics, the outer diameter of the drawing pattern can be made clearer, and the brightness of the whole drawing pattern can be made constant, thereby reducing the unevenness in brightness.

In one aspect, the optical unit is disposed so as to face the road surface drawing unit in accordance with a height and an angle at which the light source is disposed. The arrangement of the road surface drawing unit is determined first, and the arrangement of the optical unit is determined according to how the remaining light distribution is used. This makes it possible to project a drawing pattern, which is formed more clearly and more brightly in the outer shape, onto the road surface.

Effects of the invention

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a vehicle lamp having a simple configuration and a road surface drawing function can be provided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle mounted with the vehicle lamp of the first embodiment. Fig. 1 (a) is a plan view, and fig. 1 (B) is a side view.

Fig. 2 is an explanatory view for explaining the configuration of the vehicle lamp. Fig. 2 (a) is a side view, and fig. 2 (B) is a top view. The frame is shown in dotted lines to illustrate the internal configuration.

Fig. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram schematically showing the configuration of the vehicle lamp, and is an explanatory diagram mainly of an optical path of light emitted from the light source.

Fig. 4 is a schematic side view for explaining the structure of the lens.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle mounted with the vehicle lamp of the second embodiment. Fig. 5 (a) is a rear perspective view, fig. 5 (B) is a plan view, and fig. 5(C) is a side view.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the vehicle lamp, and fig. 6 (a) and 6 (B) are side views.

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle lamp.

Fig. 8 shows a lamp housing. Fig. 8 (a) mainly shows the outer surface side serving as the emission surface, and fig. 8 (B) mainly shows the inner surface side serving as the incidence surface.

Fig. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram schematically showing the configuration of the vehicle lamp, and is an explanatory diagram mainly of an optical path of light emitted from the light source.

Fig. 10 is a modification.

Fig. 11 is a modification.

Description of the reference numerals

1. 101: vehicle lamp

10. 110: lens and lens assembly

20: pedal reflector

30. 130, 130: light source

150: lamp shade

L1, L2, L3, L4: light (es)

LD1, LD 2: light distribution

M1, M2: drawing pattern

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments are not intended to limit the invention, but to exemplify the invention, and all the features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention. In each drawing, the directions of the vehicle and the vehicle headlamp are described with reference to the viewpoint of the driver in the vehicle (Up: down: left: right: front: rear: Up: Lo: Le: Ri: Fr: Re).

(first embodiment)

Fig. 1 shows a vehicle C mounted with the vehicle lamp 1 of the first embodiment. As shown in fig. 1, the vehicle lamp 1 is a front turn signal lamp that is attached to the front of the vehicle C and functions as a beacon light when the vehicle C changes its traveling direction to the left and right. The vehicle lamp 1 is provided in a pair on the left and right sides, and has a bilaterally symmetrical structure. Hereinafter, the vehicle lamp 1 mounted on the right side will be described with a focus on the description.

When the vehicle C moves to the right, the vehicle lamp 1 blinks light distribution LD1 as turn signal light, which is diffused light in reddish brown toward the front of the vehicle C, and notifies the driver of the oncoming vehicle, the driver of the vehicle on the traveling route, and the like of the vehicle C moving to the right. At the same time, the vehicle lamp 1 projects a three-line substantially inverted V-shaped drawing pattern M1 toward the road surface GR on the front right side. The drawing pattern M1 lights on and off at the same timing as the timing of the blinking light distribution LD1 at a predetermined cycle. By drawing the pattern M1, the pedestrian or the like present in the traveling direction is caused to recognize the traveling path of the vehicle C and to draw attention thereto.

As described above, the vehicle lamp 1 has a road surface drawing function in addition to a function as a conventional beacon light, and both the illuminations are contents related to the purpose. The vehicle lamp 1 turns on and off the light distribution LD1 as diffused light from the right to the front of the vehicle C, and projects the drawing pattern M1 directed in the traveling direction on the road surface. These are all the same purpose of "notice the vehicle C moving to the right to the surroundings" and the vehicle lamp 1 performs the irradiation by associating the contents of both functions, thereby improving the functional effect.

The configuration of the present disclosure is not limited to the front winkers, and may be used for high beams, low beams, fog lights, etc. as headlights, and may be used for tail lamp stop lamps, daytime running lamps, clearance lamps, side winkers, automatic driving display lamps, etc. as beacon lights.

Furthermore, headlamps such as high beams and low beams are specified with a predetermined distance of light distribution, while beacon lamps are specified only within a range of maximum light intensity and right and left illumination angles. In both of the head lamp and the beacon light, a mode in which light is radiated so as to satisfy a predetermined mode specified as each vehicle lamp is referred to as a light distribution and will be described.

(constitution of vehicle Lamp 1)

Next, the structure of the vehicle lamp 1 will be explained. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the vehicle lamp 1. Fig. 2 (a) is a side view, and fig. 2 (B) is a top view. The frame is shown in dotted lines to illustrate the internal configuration. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an optical path of light emitted from the light source.

As shown in fig. 1, the vehicle lamp 1 includes: a lamp body 40 having an opening at the front; and a globe 50 attached to an opening of the lamp body 40 and made of a translucent resin, glass, or the like. The lamp body 40 and the shade 50 are a housing of the vehicle lamp 1, and a lamp chamber S is formed inside the lamp body 40 and the shade 50.

In the lamp chamber S, a lens 10, a reflector (reflector step)20, and a light source 30 having a light emitting element mounted on a substrate are mainly disposed. The lens 10 is fixed to the lamp body 40 with a pair of legs 15 extending from the side toward the back. The step reflector 20 and the light source 30 are also fixed to the lamp body 40 by a fixing member not shown.

The step reflector 20 is a step-shaped reflector divided into a plurality of reflecting elements. The inner surface serves as a reflection surface for reflecting light, and is configured to reflect incident light and irradiate the light forward as a predetermined light distribution.

The lens 10 is an optical member that receives light from an incident surface and emits light from an emission surface. In the present embodiment, the lens 10 is a drawing lens having an exit surface with a free-form surface for forming incident light into a desired drawing pattern. The detailed shape of the lens 10 will be described later.

As the light source 30, a semiconductor light Emitting element such as an led (light Emitting diode), an ld (laser diode), or an el (electro luminescence) element, a bulb, an incandescent lamp (halogen lamp), a discharge lamp (discharge lamp), or the like can be used. In this embodiment, an LED that emits reddish brown light is used as the light-emitting element.

The vehicle lamp 1 includes an optical unit functioning as a beacon light (turn signal light) and a road surface drawing unit functioning to project a drawing pattern on a road surface.

The road surface drawing means is mainly composed of a light source 30 and a lens 10, and irradiates a part of light L1 emitted from the light source 30 to the lens 10, and forms a drawing pattern M1 by the emitted light, and irradiates the drawing pattern onto a road surface GR.

The optical unit is mainly composed of a light source 30 and a step reflector 20, and the other part of the light emitted from the light source 30 is reflected by the step reflector 20 as light L2, and the reflected light is used to form a light distribution LD1 of the turn signal lamp.

I.e. both units share the light source 30. As shown in fig. 3, the optical axis a1 of the light source 30 is oriented to the right in the front direction and is inclined slightly below the horizontal. The lens 10 is disposed on the optical axis a 1. The light of the light source 30 is mainly incident as light L1 toward the lens 10, and the rest is incident as light L2 toward the step reflector 20. Although the pedal reflector 20 is not disposed on the optical axis a1 of the light source 30, the light distribution LD1 formed by the light emitted from the pedal reflector 20 satisfies the regulatory requirements (maximum luminous intensity, left and right maximum angles, etc.) of the required light distribution required by the turn signal lamp.

In the present embodiment, the cover 50 is a transparent lens, and the light emitted from each unit is irradiated to the front of the vehicle C through the cover 50 as it is. The light emitted from the optical unit may be diffused by using a light diffusion lens such as a cylindrical lens in the globe 50. In this case, the portion through which the light emitted from the road surface drawing means passes is preferably a transparent lens. The step reflector 20 and the lens 10 are arranged offset in the left-right direction, and light emitted from the light source 30 to the right is also incident on the step reflector 20 (see fig. 2B). While a part of the light L2 passes to the right of the lens 10, it is desirable to note that the light L2a passes to the right of the lens 10 (in the paper-front direction) and does not pass through the lens 10 in fig. 3.

(lens)

The lens 10 will be described in detail with reference to fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a side view conceptually showing the light source 30 and the lens 10. The right drawing of fig. 4 is a front view of the lens 10 viewed from the exit surface.

As shown in fig. 4, the lens 10 is disposed in a state of being slightly inclined downward with respect to a horizontal plane. The light source 30 is disposed at a substantially focal point of the lens 10, and mainly light directed obliquely downward (optical axis direction) from the light source 30 is incident on the lens 10 as light L1.

The lens 10 has an incident surface 11 on which light L1 enters and an exit surface 12 from which light L1 exits. In the present embodiment, the incident surface 11 has a substantially planar shape. On the other hand, the emission surface 12 has a shape that becomes convex toward the emission direction of light.

The exit surface 12 of the lens 10 is formed by connecting three curved surfaces having different curvatures, and is divided into a first region 12a located at the lower part and composed of curved surfaces, a second region 12b located at the center and composed of curved surfaces that are most protruded, and a third region 12c located at the upper part and composed of curved surfaces. That is, the first region 12a and the second region 12b are divided by an intersection line CL1 where curved surfaces having different curvatures intersect each other, and the second region 12b and the third region 12c are divided by an intersection line CL2 where curved surfaces having different curvatures intersect each other.

The intersection lines CL1 and CL2 have substantially inverted V-shaped trajectories which are convex upward. By such intersecting lines CL1 and CL2, the

regions

12a, 12b, and 12c are each substantially in the shape of an inverted V in front view.

When light is emitted from the light source 30, a part of the emitted light propagates obliquely forward and downward and enters the incident surface 11 of the drawing lens as light L1. Then, the component of the light L1 located downward passes through a substantially lower portion of the lens 10, and is emitted obliquely forward and downward from the first region 12 a. In the present embodiment, the shape of the first region 12a is as follows: the light emitted from the region 12a is refracted into a shape substantially corresponding to the region 12 a. As described above, the first region 12a has a substantially inverted V shape. Therefore, the light L1 component emitted from the first region 12a is shaped based on the substantially inverted V-shape of the first region 12a, and becomes substantially light L1a having the substantially inverted V-shape.

The component of the light L1 located at the center transmits through a substantially central portion of the lens 10, and is emitted obliquely forward and downward from the second region 12 b. In the present embodiment, the shape of the second region 12b is as follows: the light emitted from the region 12b is refracted into substantially the same shape as the region 12 b. As described above, the second region 12b has a substantially inverted V shape. Therefore, the light L1 component emitted from the second region 12b is shaped based on the substantially inverted V shape of the second region 12b, and becomes substantially light L1b having the substantially inverted V shape.

The component of the light L1 located above passes through a substantially upper portion of the lens 10, and is emitted obliquely forward and downward from the third region 12 c. In the present embodiment, the shape of the third region 12c is as follows: the light exiting from the region 12c is refracted into substantially the same shape as the region 12 c. As described above, the third region 12c has a substantially inverted V shape. Therefore, the light L1 component emitted from the third region 12c is formed into a substantially inverted V-shape based on the substantially inverted V-shape of the third region 12c, and becomes substantially light L1c having a substantially inverted V-shape.

As a result of the light L1a, L1b, and L1c being emitted in this way, a drawing pattern M1 is drawn on the road surface GR located a predetermined distance ahead. The drawing pattern M1 includes a mark M1a in which the light Lla is projected on the road surface GR, a mark M1b in which the light L1b is projected on the road surface GR, and a mark M1c in which the light L1c is projected on the road surface GR. The predetermined distance may be, for example, a distance of 1m to 5m from the vehicle C.

The markers M1a, M1b, and M1c will be described below.

As described above, the first region 12a and the second region 12b are divided by the intersection line CL1 where curved surfaces having different curvatures intersect with each other. Therefore, the direction in which the light L1a emitted from the lower region, i.e., the first region 12a, is refracted through the intersection line CL1 and the direction in which the light L1b emitted from the upper region, i.e., the second region 12b, is refracted through the intersection line CL1 are different from each other. In the present embodiment, the curved surface forming the first region 12a and the curved surface forming the second region 12b are formed in such a shape that the light L1a propagates obliquely forward and downward separately from the light L1 b. More specifically, the curved surface of the first region 12a is formed such that the light L1a reaches the first position GRa of the vehicle C closest to the road surface GR. In addition, the curved surface of the second region 12b is formed such that the light L1b reaches the second position GRb which is separated from the first position GRa and located in front of the first position GRa. Therefore, the mark M1a depicted on the road surface GR by the light L1a and the mark M1b depicted on the road surface GR by the light L1b are separated from each other and projected separately to the road surface GR.

In addition, as described above, the second region 12b and the third region 12c are divided by the intersection line CL2 where curved surfaces having different curvatures intersect with each other. Therefore, the direction in which the light L1b emitted from the lower region, i.e., the second region 12b, is refracted through the intersection line CL2 is different from the direction in which the light L1c emitted from the upper region, i.e., the third region 12c, is refracted through the intersection line CL 2. In the present embodiment, the curved surface forming the second region 12b and the curved surface forming the third region 12c are formed in such a shape that the light L1b propagates obliquely forward and downward separately from the light L1 c. More specifically, the curved surface of the third region 12c is formed so that the light L1c reaches the third position GRc separated from the second position GRb and located in front of the second position GRb. Therefore, the mark M1b depicted on the road surface GR by the light L1b and the mark M1c depicted on the road surface GR by the light L1c are separated from each other and projected separately to the road surface GR.

In this way, the light beams L1a, L1b, and L1c formed in the substantially inverted V shape propagate obliquely forward and downward and reach the road surface GR while being separated from each other. As a result, the drawing pattern M1 projected on the road surface GR is such that the substantially inverted V-shaped mark M1a formed by projecting the light L1a at the first position GRa, the substantially V-shaped mark M1b formed by projecting the light L1b at the second position GRb, and the substantially inverted V-shaped mark M1c formed by projecting the light L1c at the third position GRc are arranged in the traveling direction so as to be separated from each other (see fig. 1).

In this way, since the drawing pattern M1 shows the characteristic that the marks M1a, M1b, and M1C having a substantially inverted V shape are arranged in the traveling direction, the person visually confirming the drawing pattern M1 thinks that the vehicle C is scheduled to travel in the direction indicated by the substantially inverted V shape.

In order to form the drawing pattern M1 in which three marks M1a, M1b, and M1c are formed in a substantially inverted V shape, it is preferable that, for example, the ratio of the first region 12a, the second region 12b, and the third region 12c in the front view is 1: 1. The shape of the emission surface 12 on which the drawing pattern M1 is formed is preferably a shape based on a substantially spherical surface.

In the present embodiment, the optical axis a1 of the lens 10 of the vehicle lamp 1 mounted on the right is directed slightly rightward from the front (see fig. 2 and 3). Therefore, as shown in fig. 1, the marks M1a, M1b, and M1c in the shape of substantially inverted V are projected onto the road surface GR with the front right as the irradiation direction, while being separated from each other in the irradiation direction. The person who visually recognizes this assumes that the vehicle C changes the traveling direction to the vehicle right.

(Effect)

The vehicle lamp 1 configured as described above irradiates the light emitted from the 1 common light source 30 as the light distribution LD1 of the winker toward the front of the vehicle, and projects the light as the drawing pattern M1 onto the road surface GR. Since the irradiation is performed for the purpose of irradiation, the synergistic effect of both is high.

As an optical means, light emitted from the light source 30 is reflected by the step reflector 20 to be emitted as predetermined light distribution LD1, and as a drawing means, light emitted from the light source 30 is incident on the lens 10 to be projected as a predetermined drawing pattern M1 on the road surface. The turning on and off of the two cells is performed by the turning on and off of the common light source 30, and the light distribution LD1 naturally links with the turning on and off of the drawing pattern M1. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 does not require complicated control as an optical unit or a road surface drawing unit. The structure is simple, and the size of the vehicle lamp can be reduced.

(second embodiment)

A second embodiment will be explained. The same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. Fig. 5 shows a vehicle C mounted with the vehicle lamp 101 of the second embodiment. Fig. 5 (a) is a rear perspective view, fig. 5 (B) is a plan view, and fig. 5(C) is a side view.

As shown in fig. 5, the vehicle lamp 101 of the second embodiment is a backup lamp attached to the upper portion of the rear surface of a large vehicle C. The vehicle lamp 101 forms the light distribution LD2 of the backup light when the vehicle C moves backward, blinks the light distribution LD2, and notifies the driver or pedestrian of the backward vehicle of the backward movement of the vehicle C. At the same time, a rectangular drawing pattern M2 extending long rearward is formed. The vehicle lamps 101 are paired on the left and right sides and attached to the left and right side edges of the vehicle rear surface, and since the rectangular drawing pattern M1 is projected rearward from each vehicle lamp 101, two parallel light beams extending rearward from the vehicle C are projected as the rearward trajectory of the vehicle C. Thus, pedestrians, light vehicles, and the like that may be present near the rear of the blind spot of the vehicle C are also notified that the vehicle is moving backward and is attracting attention and moving.

The vehicle lamp 101 blinks the drawing pattern M2 simultaneously with the light distribution LD2 and performs irradiation for the same purpose of "notifying vehicle backward movement", and therefore the irradiation effect is high.

(constitution of vehicle Lamp 101)

Next, the structure of the vehicle lamp 101 will be explained. Fig. 6 shows the vehicle lamp 101, where (a) in fig. 6 is a perspective view, and (B) in fig. 6 is a side view. To illustrate the internal components, the lamp housing is shown in phantom. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle lamp 101. Since it is a backup lamp, the irradiation direction of light is opposite to that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the description of the lamp of the present embodiment, the rear side is referred to as the front side, and the front side is referred to as the rear side. The backup light irradiates the surface side.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the vehicle lamp 101 includes a lamp body 140, a cover 150, a lens 110, a fixing member 160, and a light source 130.

The globe 150 is a frame body formed of a translucent resin, glass, or the like, and having an opening on one surface. A flat lamp body 140 is attached to an opening of the lamp cover 150, and a lamp chamber S is formed inside. The light source 130 and the lens 110 are disposed in the lamp chamber S. Since the translucent globe 150 is a main body of the housing, the light diffusion angle of the vehicle lamp 101 can be increased, and the visual range of the irradiation light can be expanded.

The lens 110 is a drawing lens for forming incident light into a predetermined drawing pattern, as in the lens 10 of the first embodiment. The lens 110 of the present embodiment forms incident light into a rectangular drawing pattern that is long in the emission direction.

The light source 130 emits light from an LED as a light emitting element mounted thereon, similarly to the light source 30 of the first embodiment. The emitted light is white light determined to be in the range of the back light, and since a part of the emitted light enters the lens 110 to form the drawing pattern M2, the projected drawing pattern M2 is constituted by white light.

A rectangular hole 141 is provided in the center of the lamp body 140, and the fixing member 160 is engaged from the back side (in the front direction in the present embodiment).

The fixing member 160 is a member for attaching the light source 130 and the lens 110, and includes a base portion 161 inclined upward toward the front surface side (in the present embodiment, the rear direction). The inclined surface of the base portion 161 on the front side is a mounting surface 162, and the light source 130 is mounted at the center of the mounting surface 162. The lens 110 is fixed to the mounting surface 162 with the light source 130 interposed therebetween by the leg l15 extending from the side surface thereof to the rear surface side. The rear surface side of the fixing member 160 serves as a heat sink 163 for radiating heat generated by the light source 130 to the outside. Therefore, the fixing member 160 is made of a metal member having good thermal conductivity.

When the fixing member 160 is fixed to the lamp body 140, the fixing member 160 on which the lens 110 and the light source 130 are mounted approaches the lamp body 140 from the back side, and the upper portions of the projecting lens 110 and the inclined base portion 161 enter the lamp chamber S through the hole 141. Then, in a state where the lens 110 fixed to the mounting surface 162 is disposed in the lamp chamber S, the fixing member 160 is fixed to the back surface side of the lamp body 140 by the flange portion 164 provided around the outer peripheral surface.

The lamp cover 150 will be described in detail with reference to fig. 8. Fig. 8 (a) mainly shows the outer surface side serving as the emission surface, and fig. 8 (B) mainly shows the inner surface side serving as the incidence surface.

The globe 150 is an optical member having an inner surface formed in a box shape as an incident surface and an outer surface as an exit surface. Light emitted from the light source 130 disposed in the lamp chamber S is incident from the inner incident surface, and light based on the characteristics of the respective constituent surfaces is emitted from the outer emitting surface.

As shown in fig. 8, the globe 150 includes a first surface 151, a second surface 152, and a third surface 153 having different characteristics on the front surface side, which is the main irradiation direction of the light emitted from the light source 130. The outer surface sides of the first surface 151, the second surface 152, and the third surface 153, which are the emission surfaces, are all formed in a planar shape, and the shape of the inner surface side, which is the incident surface, differs from surface to surface.

The first surface 151 constitutes an upper region of the center of the surface of the lamp housing 150. The incident surface 151a of the first surface 151 has a form in which small convex surfaces are arranged in a matrix. The light incident on the first surface 151 configured as described above is emitted from the emission surface while being diffused all around.

The second face 152 is located below the first face 151. The first surface 151 and the third surface 153 are vertical surfaces, and the second surface 152 is an inclined surface inclined downward toward the back surface side. The incident surface 152a of the second surface 152 becomes a plane. The light incident on the second surface 152 configured as described above is emitted from the emission surface while being incident.

The third surface 153 is disposed on the left and right of the first surface 151 and the second surface 152, and constitutes a side region of the surface of the lamp housing 150. The third surface 153 extends vertically, and has a side edge inclined to the back side with respect to the first surface 151 in the horizontal direction. That is, the third surface 153 disposed on the right side faces slightly to the right, and the third surface 153 disposed on the left side faces slightly to the left. The incident surface 153a of the third surface 153 has a V-shaped groove extending vertically. The light incident on the third surface 153 configured as described above is diffused in the left and right directions and emitted from the emission surface.

The path of light emitted from the light source 130 will be described. Fig. 9 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view for explaining an optical path of light emitted from the light source 130.

As shown in fig. 9, since the base portion 161 is inclined from the vertical surface side, both the lens 110 and the light source 130 to be mounted are also inclined from the vertical surface side. That is, the optical axis a2 of the light source 130 is inclined downward from the horizontal, and the lens 110 and the second surface 152 of the globe 150 are disposed on the inclined optical axis a 2. Therefore, the light emitted from the light source 130 is mainly incident on the lens 110 as the light L3, and the other light than the light L3, mainly the light emitted upward, is incident on the first surface 151 of the globe 150 as the light L4.

As in the first embodiment, the vehicle lamp 101 includes an optical unit functioning as a beacon light (backup light) and a road surface drawing unit functioning to project a drawing pattern on a road surface.

The road surface drawing unit is mainly composed of the light source 130 and the lens 110. The light L3, which is a part of the light emitted from the light source 130, enters the lens 110, exits the lens 110, and passes through the second surface 152. The second surface 152 is a lens having two planar surfaces, and the light L3 is formed into a rectangular shape by the lens 110 so as to be clearly visible, and is irradiated to the road surface GR as a drawing pattern M2.

The optical unit is composed of a light source 130 and a lamp housing 150. In the lamp cover 150, the first face 151 and the third face 153 are used as an optical unit in particular. Among the light emitted from the light source 130, a part other than the light L3, particularly, light emitted upward from the optical axis a2 enters the globe 150 as L4, is diffused and emitted, and mainly constitutes a light distribution LD2 of the backup light. Light emitted in the left-right direction from the light source 130, which is not shown in fig. 9, enters the third surface 153, is diffused in the left-right direction, and is emitted, thereby constituting a part of the light distribution LD 2. The light distribution LD2 is formed by light emitted from the surface other than the second surface 152.

In this manner, the optical unit and the road surface drawing unit share the light source 130, as in the first embodiment. The light from the light source 130 is mainly incident on the lens 110 as light L3, and is irradiated to the road surface GR as a drawing pattern M2 via the second surface 152, and light other than the light L3 is incident on the globe 150 as light L4 and is emitted as light distribution LD 2. Here, the light distribution LD2 formed by the globe 150 is configured to satisfy the regulatory requirements (maximum luminous intensity, left and right maximum angles, and the like) of the necessary light distribution required for the backup lamp.

In the present embodiment, the light diffusion lens is mainly used for the first surface 151 and the third surface 153 of the globe 150 and constitutes a component of the optical unit, but the light diffusion lens may be used for all the components of the globe 150 except for the second surface 152 located on the optical axis a2, that is, the surface 154 serving as a peripheral side surface provided adjacent to the first surface 151, the second surface 152, and the third surface 153, to expand the irradiation range of the light distribution LD 2.

As described above, other conventionally known configurations may be used for the optical unit. For example, by using a reflector-based reflection-type or direct-type lamp unit, light emitted from a part of the light source is used for drawing a pattern, and the remaining light is used for light distribution formation, whereby a vehicle lamp having a simple configuration and a high functional effect can be provided.

(arrangement of optical Unit and drawing Unit)

Here, the relative arrangement of the optical unit and the drawing unit will be described.

In the vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment, as shown in fig. 3, the optical axis a1 of the light source 30 is directed downward, and the inclination angle from the horizontal plane is an angle α 1. The angle α 1 is relatively small in the present embodiment, and the angle α 1 is about 20 degrees. In the vehicle lamp 1, the pedal reflector 20 forming the light distribution LD1 is disposed below the lens 10.

In the vehicle lamp 101 according to the second embodiment, as shown in fig. 8, the optical axis a2 of the light source 130 faces downward, and the inclination angle from the horizontal plane is an angle α 2. The angle α 2 is larger than the angle α 1, and in the present embodiment, the angle α 2 exceeds 30 degrees. In the vehicle lamp 101, the second surface 152 of the globe 150, which mainly forms the light distribution LD2, is positioned above the lens 110.

When the arrangement (particularly, the installation height) of the light sources is the same, the drawing pattern is projected toward the vicinity of the vehicle when the angle below the optical axis is large, and the drawing pattern drawn on the road surface is projected away from the vehicle when the inclination angle of the optical axis is small. When the inclination angles of the optical axes are equal, the higher the installation height at which the vehicle lamp is installed, the longer the projection distance, the farther the drawing pattern is projected from the vehicle, and the lower the installation height, the shorter the projection distance, the closer the drawing pattern is projected from the vehicle.

With respect to the drawing pattern projected onto the road surface, it is desirable that the light intensity is high in order to make the shape clear. Therefore, the optical member forming the drawing pattern is disposed on the optical axis, and light of high luminous intensity emitted mainly from the front surface of the light source is used for forming the drawing pattern, and the other light is formed into light distribution.

The position at which the vehicle lamp 1 as the front winker is attached is relatively low compared to the vicinity of the bumper, and if the angle α 1 is increased, the drawing pattern M1 drawn on the road surface GR is only in the vicinity of the vehicle C, and the surrounding attention cannot be attracted. In order to project the depicting pattern M1 at a certain distance from the vehicle, the angle α 1 is made relatively small. Since the inclination angle of the optical axis a1 of the light source 30 from the horizontal plane is small, the lens 10 forming the drawing pattern M1 is disposed near the horizontal plane, and the pedal reflector 20 is disposed relatively below the lens 10. Therefore, the pedal reflector 20 mainly forms the light distribution LD1 using light emitted downward from the optical axis a 1.

On the other hand, the vehicle lamp 101, which is a backup lamp, is mounted on the upper portion of the large vehicle C, and therefore the mounting position is relatively high. By relatively increasing the inclination angle α 2 of the optical axis a2 of the light source 130 from the horizontal plane, a rectangular drawn pattern M2 extending long from the vicinity of the vehicle to the far side is projected. Since the optical axis a2 of the light source 130 has a large inclination angle from the horizontal plane, the lens 110 forming the drawing pattern M2 is disposed below a position away from the horizontal plane, and the second surface 152 mainly forming the light distribution LD2 is disposed above the lens 110 in a manner facing thereto. Therefore, the second surface 152 mainly forms the light distribution LD2 using light emitted upward from the optical axis a 2.

That is, it is preferable that the drawing unit is disposed above the optical unit when the height at which the vehicle lamp is mounted on the vehicle is relatively high, and the drawing unit is disposed below the optical unit when the height at which the vehicle lamp is mounted on the vehicle is relatively low. More specifically, when the height at which the common light source is mounted is relatively high, the optical member forming the drawing pattern provided in the drawing unit is preferably disposed below the optical member forming the light distribution and irradiating provided in the optical unit. In the case where the height at which the vehicular lamp is mounted is relatively low, it is preferable that the arrangement becomes reversed. This allows a clear and bright drawing pattern to be drawn on the road surface, and allows light distribution to be formed by effectively using the light emitted from the remaining light source. In addition, the entire size can be reduced by appropriate arrangement of the units.

The arrangement of the drawing unit and the optical unit is determined in consideration of not only the mounting height but also the inclination angle. For example, when the drawing pattern is projected relatively far, the inclination angle is set to be small. In this case, the drawing unit is disposed above and the optical unit is disposed below. In addition, when the drawing pattern is projected in the left-right direction, the drawing unit may be disposed on the left or right of the optical unit.

Since the drawing unit and the optical unit use a common light source, the arrangement of the light source is most important, and then the arrangement of the optical members of the drawing unit that forms the drawing pattern is determined, and finally the arrangement of the optical light sources of the drawing unit that forms the light distribution is determined. In this way, when the relative arrangement of the optical unit and the road surface drawing unit is determined according to the height of the light source and the inclination angle of the optical axis, the optimal arrangement can be achieved as a whole, and the respective irradiation can be appropriately performed.

(modification example)

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration. Next, fig. 10 and 11 show a modification.

Fig. 10 shows a modification of the light source 130. The

light sources

130A and 130B each use three light emitting elements 131 to improve luminance. In the light source 130A, three light emitting elements 131 are arranged in parallel in the lateral direction, and in the light source 130B, three light emitting elements 131 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction.

When the plurality of light emitting elements 131 are arranged in parallel in the lateral direction, the light source image has a wide width, and is suitable for a drawing pattern having a wide width. In particular, by appropriately selecting the projection distance, the outer shape of the drawing pattern can be made clear, and the unevenness in brightness of the whole drawing pattern can be suppressed. That is, the light source 130A is suitable for the first embodiment. By using the light source 131A in the vehicle lamp 1, the brightness of the three marks M1A, M1b, and M1c can be kept equal, and the outer shape of the substantially inverted V shape can be made clear.

When the plurality of light emitting elements 131 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction, the drawing pattern can be irradiated so as to extend in the distant direction while suppressing blurring of the outline of the drawing pattern in the width direction. That is, the light source 130B is suitable for the second embodiment. By using the light source 131B in the vehicle lamp 101, a linear drawing pattern M2 that is long and clear in outer shape can be projected.

By adopting the arrangement of the light emitting elements according to the shape of the drawing pattern thus projected, the brightness and clarity of the drawing pattern can be improved.

Fig. 11 is a modification of the road surface drawing unit of the vehicle lamp 101.

In the vehicle lamp 101A shown in fig. 11 (a), the road surface drawing means is mainly composed of a light source 130, a condenser lens 116, a shade 117, and a projection lens 118. The condenser lens 116 is a collimator lens, and outputs the light emitted from the light source 130 as parallel light to the shade 117. The shade 117 has a slit 117a in a shape following a desired drawing pattern, and the light L3' having passed through the slit is projected onto a road surface as a desired drawing pattern by a projection lens 118.

In the vehicular lamp 101B shown in fig. 11 (B), the road surface drawing unit is mainly constituted by the light source 130 and the three drawing lenses 119. The drawing lens 119 has a circular outer shape, and emits incident light in a simple circular drawing pattern. The light L31, the light L32, and the light L33 emitted from the three drawing lenses 119 are each formed in a circular drawing pattern. Therefore, three successive circular tracing patterns are projected on the road surface. In this way, the lens itself can be formed into a shape of a drawing pattern, and a plurality of lenses can be used to form one drawing pattern.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiments are examples of the present invention, and they can be combined based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and such a mode is also included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp with a road surface drawing function is characterized in that the vehicle lamp has a road surface drawing function in addition to a function as a headlamp or a beacon light,

the vehicle lamp includes an optical unit using a common light source, the optical unit functioning as a headlamp or a beacon light, and a road surface drawing unit functioning as a projection function for projecting a drawing pattern onto a road surface,

the optical unit and the road surface drawing unit perform irradiation associated with an irradiation purpose.

2. The lamp for a vehicle with a road surface drawing function according to claim 1,

the optical unit irradiates a part of the light emitted from the light source with a predetermined light distribution,

the road surface drawing unit projects another part of the light emitted from the light source onto a road surface as a drawing pattern associated with the irradiation purpose of the optical unit.

3. The lamp for a vehicle with a road surface drawing function according to claim 1 or 2,

the road surface drawing means includes a lens for forming incident light into a predetermined drawing pattern and emitting the drawing pattern.

4. The lamp for a vehicle with a road surface drawing function according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the light source used in common in the optical unit and the road surface drawing unit includes a plurality of light emitting elements,

the arrangement of the plurality of light emitting elements is determined by the shape of the drawing pattern projected by the road surface drawing means.

5. The lamp for a vehicle with a road surface drawing function according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the optical unit is disposed so as to face the road surface drawing unit in accordance with the height and angle at which the light source is disposed.