JP2004127689A - Lighting fixture for vehicle - Google Patents

Lighting fixture for vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
JP2004127689A
JP2004127689A JP2002289388A JP2002289388A JP2004127689A JP 2004127689 A JP2004127689 A JP 2004127689A JP 2002289388 A JP2002289388 A JP 2002289388A JP 2002289388 A JP2002289388 A JP 2002289388A JP 2004127689 A JP2004127689 A JP 2004127689A
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Japan
Prior art keywords
light
outer peripheral
indirect
emitting chip
direct
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JP2002289388A
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Japanese (ja)
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JP4173344B2 (en
Inventor
Yasuyuki Amano
天野 靖之
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Koito Manufacturing Co Ltd
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Koito Manufacturing Co Ltd
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Priority to JP2002289388A priority Critical patent/JP4173344B2/en
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    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21VFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V7/00Reflectors for light sources
    • F21V7/0091Reflectors for light sources using total internal reflection
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21SNON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/10Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source
    • F21S43/13Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S43/14Light emitting diodes [LED]
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21SNON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/20Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S43/26Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21SNON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/30Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by reflectors
    • F21S43/31Optical layout thereof
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21SNON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/30Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by reflectors
    • F21S43/31Optical layout thereof
    • F21S43/315Optical layout thereof using total internal reflection
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21SNON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S43/00Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
    • F21S43/40Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the combination of reflectors and refractors
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21VFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V13/00Producing particular characteristics or distribution of the light emitted by means of a combination of elements specified in two or more of main groups F21V1/00 - F21V11/00
    • F21V13/02Combinations of only two kinds of elements
    • F21V13/04Combinations of only two kinds of elements the elements being reflectors and refractors
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21VFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V5/00Refractors for light sources
    • F21V5/04Refractors for light sources of lens shape
    • F21V5/046Refractors for light sources of lens shape the lens having a rotationally symmetrical shape about an axis for transmitting light in a direction mainly perpendicular to this axis, e.g. ring or annular lens with light source disposed inside the ring
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21VFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V7/00Reflectors for light sources
    • F21V7/04Optical design
    • F21V7/048Optical design with facets structure
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21LIGHTING
    • F21VFUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V7/00Reflectors for light sources
    • F21V7/04Optical design
    • F21V7/09Optical design with a combination of different curvatures

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sufficiently use light from a light emitting diode in the distribution of light in a lighting fixture in the lighting fixture for a vehicle using the light emitting diode as a light source. <P>SOLUTION: Light from the light emitting diode 12 is reflected toward the front of the lighting fixture with a reflector 14. A translucent member 24 of the light emitting diode 12 reflects light going toward the front of the lighting fixture from a light emitting chip 22 to the outer circumference 24a with a tip surface 24b of the translucent member 24, and emits from the circumferential surface 24a to the side. The reflector 14 is equipped with an indirect light reflecting surface 14a1 reflecting and controlling indirect light R1 reflected with the tip surface 24b of the translucent member 24 and emitted from the outer circumferential surface 24a to the side; and a direct light reflecting surface 14a2 reflecting and controlling direct light R2 directly reached on the circumferential surface 24a of the translucent member 24 from the light emitting chip 22 and emitted from the the outer circumferential surface 24a to the side. The direct light R2 in addition to the conventional indirect light R1 is used as the distribution of light of the lighting fixture. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【0001】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本願発明は、発光ダイオードを光源とする車両用灯具に関するものである。
【0002】
【従来の技術】
発光ダイオードの多くは、その発光チップが透光部材で封止された構成となっているが、このような発光ダイオードにおいて、側方への照射光を多く確保するため、従来より次のような工夫がなされている。
【0003】
すなわち、透光部材の先端面に、例えば「特許文献1」に記載されているような円錐状凹部を形成したり、あるいは「特許文献2」に記載されているようなV字形斜面を形成することにより、発光チップから透光部材内を灯具前方へ向かう光を、該透光部材の先端面でその外周面へ向けて反射させて該外周面から側方へ出射させる工夫がなされている。
【0004】
そして「特許文献3」の第5図には、このような発光ダイオードを光源とする灯具において、透光部材の先端面で反射してその外周面から側方へ出射した発光チップからの間接光を、リフレクタで灯具前方へ向けて反射させるように構成されたものが記載されている。
【0005】
【特許文献1】
実開昭56−123572号公報
【特許文献2】
特開2000−216436号公報
【特許文献3】
実開昭56−117564号公報
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記各特許文献に記載された発光ダイオードにおいて、該発光ダイオードから出射する光は、上述したような透光部材の先端面で反射してその外周面から側方へ出射する間接光だけではなく、発光チップから透光部材の外周面に直接到達して該外周面から側方へ出射する直接光も存在する。
【0006】
しかしながら「特許文献3」に記載された灯具においては、上記間接光のみをリフレクタで灯具前方へ向けて反射させる構成となっており、上記直接光に対する反射制御に関しては特に考慮されていないので、発光ダイオードからの光を灯具配光用として十分に活用することができない、という問題がある。
【0007】
本願発明は、このような事情に鑑みてなされたものであって、発光ダイオードを光源とする車両用灯具において、発光ダイオードからの光を灯具配光用として十分に活用することができる車両用灯具を提供することを目的とするものである。
【0008】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本願発明は、リフレクタの構成に工夫を施すことにより、上記目的達成を図るようにしたものである。
【0009】
すなわち、本願発明に係る車両用灯具は、
発光チップを透光部材で封止してなる発光ダイオードと、この発光ダイオードからの光を灯具前方へ向けて反射させるリフレクタとを備えてなり、上記透光部材が、上記発光チップから該透光部材内を灯具前方へ向かう光を、該透光部材の先端面で該透光部材の外周面へ向けて反射させて該外周面から側方へ出射させるように構成された車両用灯具において、
上記リフレクタが、上記先端面で反射して上記外周面から側方へ出射した上記発光チップからの間接光を反射制御する間接光反射面と、上記発光チップから上記外周面に直接到達して該外周面から側方へ出射した直接光を反射制御する直接光反射面とを備えている、ことを特徴とするものである。
【0010】
上記「車両用灯具」は、特定種類の車両用灯具に限定されるものではなく、例えば、テールランプ、ストップランプ等が採用可能である。
【0011】
上記「透光部材」は、光透過性を有する部材であれば、その材質は特に限定されるものではなく、例えば、透明な合成樹脂で構成されたものやガラスで構成されたもの等が採用可能である。また、この透光部材の「先端面」および「外周面」の具体的形状についても特に限定されるものではない。
【0012】
上記「先端面」の、発光チップから灯具前方へ向かう光を外周面へ向けて反射させる作用は、該「先端面」の内面反射によって行うようにしてもよいし、該「先端面」にアルミニウム蒸着等による反射面処理を施すことによって行うようにしてもよい。
【0013】
上記「リフレクタ」は、アルミニウム蒸着等による反射面処理が施された表面において発光ダイオードからの光を反射させるように構成された通常のリフレクタであってもよいし、あるいは、透明な部材で構成されたリフレクタであって該リフレクタを透過した発光ダイオードからの光を該リフレクタで内面反射させるように構成されたものであってもよい。
【0014】
上記「間接光反射面」および「直接光反射面」は、上記間接光および直接光を各々反射制御し得るように構成されたものであれば、その外形形状や反射面形状等の具体的構成は特に限定されるものではなく、また、これら「間接光反射面」と「直接光反射面」との位置関係についても特に限定されるものではない。
【0015】
【発明の作用効果】
上記構成に示すように、本願発明に係る車両用灯具は、発光ダイオードからの光をリフレクタで灯具前方へ向けて反射させるように構成されており、上記発光ダイオードは、その透光部材が、発光チップから灯具前方へ向かう光を、その先端面でその外周面へ向けて反射させて該外周面から側方へ出射させるように構成されているが、上記リフレクタは、透光部材の先端面で反射してその外周面から側方へ出射した発光チップからの間接光を反射制御する間接光反射面と、発光チップから透光部材の外周面に直接到達して該外周面から側方へ出射した直接光を反射制御する直接光反射面とを備えているので、従来のように間接光を灯具配光用として利用するだけでなく、直接光についてもこれを灯具配光用として利用することができる。
【0016】
したがって本願発明によれば、発光ダイオードを光源とする車両用灯具において、発光ダイオードからの光を灯具配光用として十分に活用することができる。
【0017】
上記リフレクタは、その直接光反射面が間接光反射面に対して灯具前方側に配置されることとなるが、その際、直接光反射面を間接光反射面の外周側に配置するようにすれば、間接光反射面と直接光反射面とを連続的に形成することが容易に可能となる。そしてこれにより、点灯状態にある灯具を前方から観察したとき、間接光反射面と直接光反射面との間に暗部が生じて見映えが損なわれてしまうのを未然に防止することができる。
【0018】
上記透光部材の先端面の具体的形状が特に限定されないことは上述したとおりであるが、この先端面を、発光チップからの光を平行光として外周面に到達させるように構成すれば、間接光反射面に平行光を入射させることが可能となるので、間接光反射面による間接光の反射制御を容易に行うことが可能となる。
【0019】
また上記構成において、透光部材の外周面を、直接光を発光チップの位置を略中心にして放射状に出射させるように構成するとともに、リフレクタの直接光反射面を、発光チップの位置を略焦点とする回転放物面を基準面とする曲面で構成すれば、直接光反射面による直接光の反射制御を容易に行うことが可能となる。
【0020】
さらに上記構成において、間接光反射面および直接光反射面の各々を、階段状に配置された複数の拡散反射素子からなる構成とすれば、点灯状態にある灯具を前方から観察したとき、各拡散反射素子が散点的に光って見えることとなるので、間接光反射面および直接光反射面を、各々その全域にわたって略均一に光って見えるようにすることができ、これにより灯具の見映え向上を図ることができる。
【0021】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、図面を用いて、本願発明の実施形態について説明する。
【0022】
まず、本願発明の第1実施形態について説明する。
【0023】
図1は、本実施形態に係る車両用灯具10を示す正面図であり、図2は、図1のII−II 線断面図であり、図3は、図2の要部詳細図である。
【0024】
これらの図に示すように、本実施形態に係る車両用灯具10は、車両後端部に設けられるテールランプであって、発光ダイオード12とリフレクタ14と透光カバー16とを備えてなり、発光ダイオード12からの光をリフレクタ14で灯具前方へ向けて反射させて透光カバー16を透して灯具前方へ照射するようになっている。なお、以下の説明における「前方」や「後方」等の向きは、車両用灯具10としての向きであって、車両としての向きとは逆になっている。
【0025】
発光ダイオード12は、赤色で発光する発光チップ22と、この発光チップ22を封止する透光部材24とを備えてなり、その発光チップ22を車両前後方向に延びる光軸Ax上に灯具前方へ向けて配置した状態で、基板26を介してリフレクタ14の後頂部14bに固定されている。
【0026】
透光部材24は、無色で透明な合成樹脂成形品からなり、光軸Axを中心軸とする円筒面状の外周面24aと、光軸Axを中心軸とする略ロート状の回転曲面からなる先端面24bとを有している。この透光部材24は、発光チップ22から該透光部材24内を灯具前方へ向かう光を、その先端面24bでその外周面24aへ向けて反射させて、該外周面24aから側方へ出射させるように構成されている。その際、先端面24bを構成する略ロート状の回転曲面は、発光チップ22からの光を内面反射させるとともに光軸直交方向に向かう平行光として外周面24aに到達させるよう、その光軸Axを含む断面形状が所定の放物線形状に設定されている。
【0027】
図3に示すように、発光ダイオード12から出射する光としては、透光部材24の先端面24bで反射してその外周面24aから側方へ出射する間接光R1だけではなく、発光チップ22から透光部材24の外周面24aに直接到達して該外周面24aから側方へ出射する直接光R2も存在する。すなわち、同図において斜線で示すように、発光チップ22から出射される光のうち、光軸Ax寄りの角度αの範囲内へ向かう光が間接光R1を構成し、その外周側の角度βの範囲内へ向かう光が直接光R2を構成する。これら間接光R1および直接光R2は、外周面24aが円筒状に形成されていることから、光軸Axを中心とする放射状の光として出射する。
【0028】
リフレクタ14は、合成樹脂成形品の前面に反射面処理が施されてなり、灯具正面視において円形の外形形状を有している。このリフレクタ14の反射面は、間接光R1を反射制御する間接光反射面14a1と、この間接光反射面14a1の外周側において直接光R2を反射制御する直接光反射面14a2とが、連続的に形成されてなっている。
【0029】
間接光反射面14a1は、間接光R1を灯具前方へ拡散反射させる複数の拡散反射素子14s1からなっている。これら拡散反射素子14s1は、間接光反射面14a1を放射状に区分けするとともに同心状に区分けするようにして配置されている。その際、これら拡散反射素子14s1は、径方向に関しては光軸Axと直交する平面に沿って延びる段差部14g1を介して等間隔で階段状に配置されている。各拡散反射素子14s1は、光軸Axを中心軸とする頂角90°の円錐面を基準面として、光軸Axに関して径方向および円周方向に所定の曲率を有する凹曲面状に形成されており、これにより間接光R1を光軸Axに関して径方向および円周方向に拡散反射させるようになっている。
【0030】
直接光反射面14a2は、直接光R2を灯具前方へ拡散反射させる複数の拡散反射素子14s2からなっている。これら拡散反射素子14s2は、直接光反射面14a2を放射状に区分けするとともに同心状に区分けするようにして配置されている。その際、これら拡散反射素子14s2は、径方向に関しては光軸Axを中心軸とする円錐面に沿って延びる段差部14g2を介して等間隔で階段状に配置されている。各拡散反射素子14s2は、光軸Axを中心軸とし発光チップ22の位置を略焦点とする回転放物面を基準面として、光軸Axに関して径方向および円周方向に所定の曲率を有する凹曲面状に形成されており、これにより直接光R2を光軸Axに関して径方向および円周方向に拡散反射させるようになっている。
【0031】
透光カバー16は、無色で透明な合成樹脂成形品で構成された素通し状のカバーであって、灯具正面視において円形の外形形状を有している。そして、この透光カバー16は、その外周縁部においてリフレクタ14に固定されている。
【0032】
図4は、本実施形態に係る車両用灯具10を、その発光ダイオード12を点灯させた状態で示す正面図である。
【0033】
図示のように、車両用灯具10を正面方向から観察したとき、そのリフレクタ14の間接光反射面14a1を構成する複数の拡散反射素子14s1と、直接光反射面14a2を構成する複数の拡散反射素子14s2とが、同時に散点的に光って見える。その際、各拡散反射素子14s1、14s2は、上述したような凹曲面で構成されているので、その中央部分が光輝部B1、B2として明るく光って見える。このとき、各拡散反射素子14s1への入射光束は、各拡散反射素子14s2への入射光束よりもかなり大きいので、光輝部B1は光輝部B2よりも高輝度となる。
【0034】
灯具正面方向から視点を多少ずらした場合においても、各拡散反射素子14s1、14s2は凹曲面状に形成されているので、これら各拡散反射素子14s1、14s2は視点移動量に応じてその中央部分から視点移動方向とは反対側にずれた部分が光輝部B1、B2として明るく光って見える。
【0035】
以上詳述したように、本実施形態に係る車両用灯具10は、そのリフレクタ14が、発光ダイオード12において透光部材24の先端面24bで反射してその外周面24aから側方へ出射した発光チップ22からの間接光R1を反射制御する間接光反射面14a1と、発光チップ22から透光部材24の外周面24aに直接到達して該外周面24aから側方へ出射した直接光R2を反射制御する直接光反射面14a2とを備えているので、従来のように間接光R1を灯具配光用として利用するだけでなく、直接光R2についてもこれを灯具配光用として利用することができる。
【0036】
すなわち本実施形態においては、図3に示すように、発光チップ22から出射される光のうち、光軸Ax寄りの角度αの範囲内へ向かう光を間接光R1として利用し、その外周側の角度βの範囲内へ向かう光を直接光R2として利用するようになっているので、発光ダイオード12からの光を灯具配光用として十分に活用することができる。
【0037】
本実施形態においては、間接光反射面14a1の外周側に直接光反射面14a2が配置されるようにして両反射面が連続的に形成されているので、点灯状態にある灯具を前方から観察したとき、間接光反射面14a1と直接光反射面14a2との間に暗部が生じて見映えが損なわれてしまうのを未然に防止することができる。
【0038】
また本実施形態においては、透光部材の先端面24bが、発光チップ22からの光を平行光として外周面24aに到達させるように構成されているので、間接光反射面14a1に平行光を入射させることが可能となり、これにより間接光反射面14a1による間接光R1の反射制御を容易に行うことが可能となる。
【0039】
特に本実施形態においては、先端面24bが、該先端面24bで反射した光を光軸直交方向に向かう平行光として外周面24aに到達させるように構成されているので、該平行光を外周面24aで屈折させることなく側方へ出射させることができ、これによりリフレクタ14を設計する際の光路計算を容易化することができる。
【0040】
また本実施形態においては、透光部材24の外周面24aが、光軸Axを中心軸とする円筒面状に形成されているので、間接光R1および直接光R2を光軸Axを中心にして放射状に出射させることができる。そして、リフレクタ14の直接光反射面14a2は、光軸Axを中心軸とし発光チップ22の位置を略焦点とする回転放物面を基準面として構成されているので、直接光反射面14a2による直接光の反射制御を容易に行うことが可能となる。
【0041】
さらに本実施形態においては、間接光反射面14a1および直接光反射面14a2が、いずれも階段状に配置された複数の拡散反射素子14s1、14s2で構成されているので、点灯状態にある灯具を前方から観察したとき、これら複数の拡散反射素子14s1、14s2の各々が光輝部B1、B2として光って見えるようにすることができる。そしてこれにより、間接光反射面14a1および直接光反射面14a2を、各々その全域にわたって略均一な分布で散点的に光って見えるようにすることができるので、灯具の見映え向上を図ることができる。しかも本実施形態においては、間接光反射面14a1の各光輝部B1が直接光反射面14a2の各光輝部B2よりも明るく光って見えるので、灯具の見映えに斬新性を持たせることができる。
【0042】
次に、本願発明の第2実施形態について説明する。
【0043】
図5および6は、本実施形態に係る車両用灯具30を示す、図1および3と同様の図である。
【0044】
これらの図に示すように、本実施形態に係る車両用灯具30は、第1実施形態に係る車両用灯具10と同様、発光ダイオード32とリフレクタ34と透光カバー36とを備えてなるテールランプであって、発光ダイオード32からの光をリフレクタ34で反射させて透光カバー36を透して灯具前方へ照射するようになっているが、発光ダイオード32の透光部材44およびリフレクタ34の間接光反射面34a1の構成が第1実施形態とは異なっている。
【0045】
発光ダイオード32は、赤色で発光する発光チップ42と、この発光チップ42を封止する透光部材44とを備えてなり、その発光チップ42を車両前後方向に延びる光軸Ax上に灯具前方へ向けて配置した状態で、基板46を介してリフレクタ34の後頂部34bに固定されている。
【0046】
透光部材44は、無色で透明な合成樹脂成形品からなり、光軸Axを中心軸とする円筒面状の外周面44aと、光軸Axを中心軸とする2段円錐面状の先端面44bとを有している。先端面44bは、頂角90°の内周側円錐面44b1と、その外周側の頂角約135°の外周側円錐面44b2とからなっている。この透光部材44は、発光チップ42から該透光部材44内を灯具前方へ向かう光を、その先端面44bでその外周面44aへ向けて反射させて、該外周面44aから側方へ出射させるように構成されている。
【0047】
図6に示すように、発光ダイオード32から出射する光としては、透光部材44の先端面44bで反射してその外周面44aから側方へ出射する間接光R1だけではなく、発光チップ42から透光部材44の外周面44aに直接到達して該外周面44aから側方へ出射する直接光R2も存在する。すなわち、同図において斜線で示すように、発光チップ42から出射される光のうち、光軸Ax寄りの角度αの範囲内へ向かう光が間接光R1を構成し、その外周側の角度βの範囲内へ向かう光が直接光R2を構成する。なお、本実施形態においては、先端面44bが2段円錐面状に形成されているので、角度αの値が、第1実施形態における角度αよりも大きい値となっている。これら間接光R1および直接光R2は、外周面44aが円筒状に形成されていることから、光軸Axを中心とする放射状の光として出射する。
【0048】
リフレクタ34は、合成樹脂成形品の前面に反射面処理が施されてなり、灯具正面視において円形の外形形状を有している。このリフレクタ34の反射面は、間接光R1を反射制御する間接光反射面34a1と、この間接光反射面34a1の外周側において直接光R2を反射制御する直接光反射面34a2とが、連続的に形成されてなっている。
【0049】
間接光反射面34a1は、間接光R1を灯具前方へ拡散反射させる複数の拡散反射素子34s1からなっている。これら拡散反射素子34s1は、間接光反射面34a1を放射状に区分けするとともに同心状に区分けするようにして配置されている。その際、これら拡散反射素子34s1は、径方向に関しては光軸Axと直交する平面に沿って延びる段差部34g1を介して等間隔で階段状に配置されている。これら拡散反射素子34s1の配置は、内周側円錐面44b1での反射光と外周側円錐面44b2での反射光とが別々の拡散反射素子34s1に入射するような配置に設定されている。
【0050】
各拡散反射素子34s1は、光軸Axを中心軸とする所定頂角の円錐面を基準面として、光軸Axに関して径方向および円周方向に所定の曲率を有する凹曲面状に形成されており、これにより間接光R1を光軸Axに関して径方向および円周方向に拡散反射させるようになっている。上記所定頂角の値は、内周側円錐面44b1および外周側円錐面44b2の頂角の値に対応するようにして、各拡散反射素子34s1毎に設定されている。
【0051】
直接光反射面34a2は、直接光R2を灯具前方へ拡散反射させる複数の拡散反射素子34s2からなっている。これら拡散反射素子34s2は、直接光反射面34a2を放射状に区分けするとともに同心状に区分けするようにして配置されている。その際、これら拡散反射素子34s2は、径方向に関しては光軸Axを中心軸とする円錐面に沿って延びる段差部34g2を介して等間隔で階段状に配置されている。各拡散反射素子34s2は、光軸Axを中心軸とし発光チップ42の位置を略焦点とする回転放物面を基準面として、光軸Axに関して径方向および円周方向に所定の曲率を有する凹曲面状に形成されており、これにより直接光R2を光軸Axに関して径方向および円周方向に拡散反射させるようになっている。
【0052】
透光カバー36は、無色で透明な合成樹脂成形品で構成された素通し状のカバーであって、灯具正面視において円形の外形形状を有している。そして、この透光カバー36は、その外周縁部においてリフレクタ34に固定されている。
【0053】
図7は、本実施形態に係る車両用灯具30を、その発光ダイオード32を点灯させた状態で示す正面図である。
【0054】
図示のように、車両用灯具30を正面方向から観察したとき、そのリフレクタ34の間接光反射面34a1を構成する複数の拡散反射素子34s1と、直接光反射面34a2を構成する複数の拡散反射素子34s2とが、同時に散点的に光って見える。その際、各拡散反射素子34s1、34s2は、上述したような凹曲面で構成されているので、その中央部分が光輝部B1、B2として明るく光って見える。このとき、各拡散反射素子34s1への入射光束は、各拡散反射素子34s2への入射光束よりもかなり大きいので、光輝部B1は光輝部B2よりも高輝度となる。
【0055】
灯具正面方向から視点を多少ずらした場合においても、各拡散反射素子34s1、34s2は凹曲面状に形成されているので、これら各拡散反射素子34s1、34s2は視点移動量に応じてその中央部分から視点移動方向とは反対側にずれた部分が光輝部B1、B2として明るく光って見える。
【0056】
以上詳述したように、本実施形態に係る車両用灯具30は、そのリフレクタ34が、発光ダイオード32において透光部材44の先端面44bで反射してその外周面44aから側方へ出射した発光チップ42からの間接光R1を反射制御する間接光反射面34a1と、発光チップ42から透光部材44の外周面44aに直接到達して該外周面44aから側方へ出射した直接光R2を反射制御する直接光反射面34a2とを備えているので、従来のように間接光R1を灯具配光用として利用するだけでなく、直接光R2についてもこれを灯具配光用として利用することができる。
【0057】
すなわち本実施形態においては、図6に示すように、発光チップ42から出射される光のうち、光軸Ax寄りの角度αの範囲内へ向かう光を間接光R1として利用し、その外周側の角度βの範囲内へ向かう光を直接光R2として利用するようになっているので、発光ダイオード32からの光を灯具配光用として十分に活用することができる。本実施形態における角度αは、第1実施形態における角度αよりも大きい値となっているので、発光ダイオード32からの光をより多く利用することができる。
【0058】
本実施形態においては、間接光反射面34a1の外周側に直接光反射面34a2が配置されるようにして両反射面が連続的に形成されているので、点灯状態にある灯具を前方から観察したとき、間接光反射面34a1と直接光反射面34a2との間に暗部が生じて見映えが損なわれてしまうのを未然に防止することができる。
【0059】
また本実施形態においては、透光部材44の外周面44aが、光軸Axを中心軸とする円筒面状に形成されているので、間接光R1および直接光R2を光軸Axを中心にして放射状に出射させることができる。そして、リフレクタ34の直接光反射面34a2は、光軸Axを中心軸とし発光チップ42の位置を略焦点とする回転放物面を基準面として構成されているので、直接光反射面34a2による直接光の反射制御を容易に行うことが可能となる。
【0060】
さらに本実施形態においては、間接光反射面34a1および直接光反射面34a2が、いずれも階段状に配置された複数の拡散反射素子34s1、34s2で構成されているので、点灯状態にある灯具を前方から観察したとき、これら複数の拡散反射素子34s1、34s2の各々が光輝部B1、B2として光って見えるようにすることができる。そしてこれにより、間接光反射面34a1および直接光反射面34a2を、各々その全域にわたって略均一な分布で散点的に光って見えるようにすることができるので、灯具の見映え向上を図ることができる。しかも本実施形態においては、間接光反射面34a1の各光輝部B1が直接光反射面34a2の各光輝部B2よりも明るく光って見えるので、灯具の見映えに斬新性を持たせることができる。
【0061】
上記各実施形態においては、拡散反射素子14s1、14s2、34s1、34s2が凹曲面状に形成されているものとして説明したが、これらを凸曲面状あるいは平面状に形成することも可能である。
【0062】
また上記各実施形態においては、リフレクタ14、34および透光カバー16、36の外形形状が円形であるものとして説明したが、これ以外の外形形状を採用するようにしてもよいことはもちろんである。
【0063】
さらに上記各実施形態においては、車両用灯具10、30がテールランプである場合について説明したが、これ以外の車両用灯具、例えば、ストップランプ、テール&ストップランプ、クリアランスランプ、ターンシグナルランプ、さらには、ヘッドランプ、フォグランプ、コーナリングランプ等である場合においても、上記各実施形態と同様の構成を採用することにより、これらと同様の作用効果を得ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図1】本願発明の第1実施形態に係る車両用灯具を示す正面図
【図2】図1のII−II 線断面図
【図3】図2の要部詳細図
【図4】上記第1実施形態に係る車両用灯具を点灯状態で示す正面図
【図5】本願発明の第2実施形態に係る車両用灯具を示す正面図
【図6】上記第2実施形態に係る車両用灯具の要部を示す、図3と同様の図
【図7】上記第2実施形態に係る車両用灯具を点灯状態で示す正面図
【符号の説明】
10、30 車両用灯具
12、32 発光ダイオード
14、34 リフレクタ
14a1、34a1 間接光反射面
14a2、34a2 直接光反射面
14b、34b 後頂部
14g1、14g2、34g1、34g2 段差部
14s1、14s2、34s1、34s2 拡散反射素子
16、36 透光カバー
22、42 発光チップ
24、44 透光部材
24a、44a 外周面
24b、44b 先端面
26、46 基板
44b1 内周側円錐面
44b2 外周側円錐面
Ax 光軸
B1、B2 光輝部
R1 間接光
R2 直接光
[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp using a light emitting diode as a light source.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Many light-emitting diodes have a configuration in which the light-emitting chip is sealed with a light-transmitting member. In such a light-emitting diode, in order to secure a large amount of irradiation light to the side, conventionally, the following is used. Something has been devised.
[0003]
That is, for example, a conical recess as described in “Patent Document 1” or a V-shaped slope as described in “Patent Document 2” is formed on the distal end surface of the light transmitting member. In this way, light from the light-emitting chip toward the front of the lamp through the light-transmitting member is reflected at the distal end surface of the light-transmitting member toward the outer peripheral surface and emitted laterally from the outer peripheral surface.
[0004]
FIG. 5 of Patent Literature 3 shows that in a lamp using such a light emitting diode as a light source, indirect light from a light emitting chip which is reflected on the front end surface of the light transmitting member and emitted laterally from the outer peripheral surface thereof. Is configured to be reflected by the reflector toward the front of the lamp.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-56-123572
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-216436 A
[Patent Document 3]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Sho 56-117564
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the light-emitting diode described in each of the above patent documents, the light emitted from the light-emitting diode is not only indirect light that is reflected on the distal end surface of the light-transmitting member and emitted laterally from the outer peripheral surface as described above, There is also direct light that directly reaches the outer peripheral surface of the light transmitting member from the light emitting chip and exits laterally from the outer peripheral surface.
[0006]
However, in the lamp described in “Patent Document 3”, only the indirect light is reflected toward the front of the lamp by the reflector, and the reflection control for the direct light is not particularly considered. There is a problem that the light from the diode cannot be fully utilized for light distribution of the lamp.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in a vehicle lamp using a light emitting diode as a light source, a vehicle lamp capable of fully utilizing light from the light emitting diode for light distribution of the lamp. The purpose is to provide.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is intended to achieve the above object by devising the configuration of the reflector.
[0009]
That is, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is:
A light-emitting diode having a light-emitting chip sealed with a light-transmitting member; and a reflector for reflecting light from the light-emitting diode toward the front of the lamp, wherein the light-transmitting member transmits the light from the light-emitting chip to the light-emitting chip. In a vehicle lamp configured to reflect light toward the front of the lamp inside the member, to be reflected toward the outer peripheral surface of the light transmitting member at the distal end surface of the light transmitting member and to emit laterally from the outer peripheral surface,
The reflector is an indirect light reflecting surface that controls the reflection of indirect light from the light emitting chip that is reflected by the tip end surface and emitted laterally from the outer peripheral surface, and directly reaches the outer peripheral surface from the light emitting chip. A direct light reflection surface for controlling the reflection of direct light emitted laterally from the outer peripheral surface.
[0010]
The "vehicle lamp" is not limited to a specific type of vehicle lamp, and for example, a tail lamp, a stop lamp, and the like can be adopted.
[0011]
The material of the “light transmitting member” is not particularly limited as long as it is a member having light transmissivity. For example, a member made of a transparent synthetic resin, a member made of glass, or the like is used. It is possible. Further, the specific shapes of the “tip surface” and the “outer peripheral surface” of the light transmitting member are not particularly limited.
[0012]
The function of reflecting the light from the light emitting chip toward the front of the lamp toward the outer peripheral surface of the “tip surface” may be performed by internal reflection of the “tip surface”, or the “tip surface” may be made of aluminum. It may be performed by performing a reflection surface treatment by vapor deposition or the like.
[0013]
The above-mentioned "reflector" may be a normal reflector configured to reflect light from a light emitting diode on a surface subjected to a reflection surface treatment by aluminum deposition or the like, or may be configured by a transparent member. The reflector may be configured such that light from a light emitting diode that has passed through the reflector is internally reflected by the reflector.
[0014]
The “indirect light reflecting surface” and “direct light reflecting surface” may have any specific configuration, such as the outer shape and the reflecting surface shape, as long as they are configured to be capable of controlling the reflection of the indirect light and the direct light, respectively. Is not particularly limited, and the positional relationship between the “indirect light reflecting surface” and the “direct light reflecting surface” is not particularly limited.
[0015]
Operation and Effect of the Invention
As shown in the above configuration, the vehicular lamp according to the present invention is configured to reflect light from the light emitting diode toward the front of the lamp with a reflector, and the light emitting diode has a light transmitting member that emits light. Although the light from the chip toward the front of the lamp is configured to be reflected toward the outer peripheral surface at the distal end surface and emitted laterally from the outer peripheral surface, the reflector is provided at the distal end surface of the light transmitting member. An indirect light reflecting surface for controlling the reflection of indirect light from the light emitting chip that has been reflected and emitted laterally from the outer peripheral surface; and an indirect light reflecting surface that directly reaches the outer peripheral surface of the light transmitting member from the light emitting chip and emits laterally from the outer peripheral surface. It has a direct light reflection surface that controls the reflection of direct light, so not only can indirect light be used for light distribution as in the past, but also direct light can be used for light distribution. Can be.
[0016]
Therefore, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp using a light emitting diode as a light source, light from the light emitting diode can be sufficiently utilized for light distribution of the lamp.
[0017]
In the reflector, the direct light reflecting surface is disposed on the front side of the lamp with respect to the indirect light reflecting surface. At this time, the direct light reflecting surface is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the indirect light reflecting surface. For example, it is possible to easily form the indirect light reflecting surface and the direct light reflecting surface continuously. Thus, when the lit lamp is observed from the front, it is possible to prevent the appearance of a dark portion between the indirect light reflection surface and the direct light reflection surface from being impaired.
[0018]
As described above, the specific shape of the distal end surface of the light transmitting member is not particularly limited. However, if the distal end surface is configured to allow the light from the light emitting chip to reach the outer peripheral surface as parallel light, it is indirect. Since parallel light can be made incident on the light reflecting surface, reflection control of indirect light by the indirect light reflecting surface can be easily performed.
[0019]
In the above configuration, the outer peripheral surface of the light-transmitting member is configured to emit direct light radially around the center of the light emitting chip, and the direct light reflecting surface of the reflector is substantially focused on the position of the light emitting chip. By using a curved surface with the paraboloid of revolution as the reference surface, it is possible to easily control the direct light reflection by the direct light reflecting surface.
[0020]
Further, in the above configuration, if each of the indirect light reflecting surface and the direct light reflecting surface is configured by a plurality of diffusely reflecting elements arranged in a stepwise manner, when the lamp in the lighting state is observed from the front, each diffused reflecting element becomes Since the reflective elements appear to shine in a scattered manner, the indirect light reflecting surface and the direct light reflecting surface can be made to shine almost uniformly over the entire area, thereby improving the appearance of the lamp. Can be achieved.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0023]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a main part of FIG.
[0024]
As shown in these drawings, a vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment is a tail lamp provided at a rear end portion of a vehicle, and includes a light emitting diode 12, a reflector 14, and a light transmitting cover 16, and includes a light emitting diode. The light from the light source 12 is reflected by the reflector 14 toward the front of the lamp, and is transmitted through the light-transmitting cover 16 and irradiated toward the front of the lamp. Note that directions such as “front” and “rear” in the following description are directions of the vehicle lamp 10 and are opposite to directions of the vehicle.
[0025]
The light-emitting diode 12 includes a light-emitting chip 22 that emits red light and a light-transmitting member 24 that seals the light-emitting chip 22. The light-emitting chip 22 is mounted on an optical axis Ax extending in the vehicle front-rear direction and forward of the lamp. The reflector 14 is fixed to the rear top portion 14 b of the reflector 14 via the substrate 26 in a state where the reflector 14 is oriented toward the camera.
[0026]
The light transmitting member 24 is made of a colorless and transparent synthetic resin molded product, and has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 24a having the optical axis Ax as a central axis, and a substantially funnel-shaped rotating curved surface having the optical axis Ax as a central axis. And a distal end surface 24b. The light transmitting member 24 reflects the light from the light emitting chip 22 toward the front of the lamp through the light transmitting member 24 toward the outer peripheral surface 24a at the front end surface 24b, and emits the light laterally from the outer peripheral surface 24a. It is configured to be. At this time, the substantially funnel-shaped rotary curved surface constituting the front end surface 24b reflects the optical axis Ax so that the light from the light emitting chip 22 is internally reflected and reaches the outer peripheral surface 24a as parallel light traveling in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis. The included cross-sectional shape is set to a predetermined parabolic shape.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 3, the light emitted from the light emitting diode 12 is not only the indirect light R <b> 1 which is reflected by the front end surface 24 b of the light transmitting member 24 and is emitted from the outer peripheral surface 24 a to the side, but also from the light emitting chip 22. There is also direct light R2 that directly reaches the outer peripheral surface 24a of the light transmitting member 24 and exits laterally from the outer peripheral surface 24a. In other words, as shown by oblique lines in the drawing, of the light emitted from the light emitting chip 22, the light heading within the range of the angle α near the optical axis Ax constitutes the indirect light R1, and the angle β of the outer peripheral side of the indirect light R1. Light going into the range directly constitutes light R2. Since the outer peripheral surface 24a is formed in a cylindrical shape, the indirect light R1 and the direct light R2 are emitted as radial light having the optical axis Ax as a center.
[0028]
The reflector 14 is obtained by subjecting a front surface of a synthetic resin molded product to a reflection surface treatment, and has a circular outer shape in a lamp front view. The reflecting surface of the reflector 14 is composed of an indirect light reflecting surface 14a1 that controls the reflection of the indirect light R1 and a direct light reflecting surface 14a2 that controls the reflection of the direct light R2 on the outer peripheral side of the indirect light reflecting surface 14a1. It is formed.
[0029]
The indirect light reflection surface 14a1 includes a plurality of diffuse reflection elements 14s1 that diffusely reflect the indirect light R1 forward of the lamp. These diffuse reflection elements 14s1 are arranged so that the indirect light reflection surface 14a1 is radially divided and concentrically divided. At this time, the diffuse reflection elements 14s1 are arranged in steps in the radial direction at equal intervals via a step 14g1 extending along a plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax. Each diffuse reflection element 14s1 is formed as a concave curved surface having a predetermined curvature in the radial direction and the circumferential direction with respect to the optical axis Ax, with a conical surface having a vertex angle of 90 ° about the optical axis Ax as a central axis as a reference plane. Thus, the indirect light R1 is diffusely reflected in the radial direction and the circumferential direction with respect to the optical axis Ax.
[0030]
The direct light reflection surface 14a2 includes a plurality of diffuse reflection elements 14s2 that diffusely reflect the direct light R2 forward of the lamp. These diffuse reflection elements 14s2 are arranged so as to radially divide the direct light reflection surface 14a2 and concentrically divide it. At this time, these diffuse reflection elements 14s2 are arranged in steps in the radial direction at equal intervals via a stepped portion 14g2 extending along a conical surface centered on the optical axis Ax. Each diffuse reflection element 14s2 has a concave surface having a predetermined curvature in a radial direction and a circumferential direction with respect to the optical axis Ax, with a paraboloid of revolution having the optical axis Ax as a central axis and the position of the light emitting chip 22 as a focal point as a reference plane. It is formed in a curved shape, and thereby, the direct light R2 is diffusely reflected in the radial direction and the circumferential direction with respect to the optical axis Ax.
[0031]
The light-transmitting cover 16 is a transparent cover made of a colorless and transparent synthetic resin molded product, and has a circular outer shape when viewed from the front of the lamp. The translucent cover 16 is fixed to the reflector 14 at the outer peripheral edge.
[0032]
FIG. 4 is a front view showing the vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment in a state where the light emitting diodes 12 are turned on.
[0033]
As shown, when the vehicle lamp 10 is viewed from the front, a plurality of diffuse reflection elements 14s1 forming the indirect light reflection surface 14a1 of the reflector 14 and a plurality of diffusion reflection elements forming the direct light reflection surface 14a2 are provided. 14s2 appears to be scattered at the same time. At this time, since each of the diffuse reflection elements 14s1 and 14s2 is constituted by the concave curved surface as described above, the central portions thereof appear as bright portions B1 and B2. At this time, the luminous flux incident on each diffuse reflection element 14s1 is considerably larger than the luminous flux incident on each diffuse reflection element 14s2, so that the bright portion B1 has a higher brightness than the bright portion B2.
[0034]
Even when the viewpoint is slightly shifted from the front direction of the lamp, since each of the diffuse reflection elements 14s1 and 14s2 is formed in a concave curved surface, each of the diffuse reflection elements 14s1 and 14s2 is moved from its central portion in accordance with the amount of movement of the viewpoint. The parts shifted to the opposite side from the viewpoint moving direction appear as bright parts B1 and B2.
[0035]
As described in detail above, in the vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment, the reflector 14 of the light emitting diode 12 reflects the light at the tip end surface 24b of the light transmitting member 24 and emits the light to the side from the outer peripheral surface 24a. An indirect light reflecting surface 14a1 that controls reflection of indirect light R1 from the chip 22, and a direct light R2 that directly reaches the outer peripheral surface 24a of the light transmitting member 24 from the light emitting chip 22 and is emitted laterally from the outer peripheral surface 24a. Since the direct light reflecting surface 14a2 for controlling is provided, not only can the indirect light R1 be used for light distribution as in the related art, but also the direct light R2 can be used for light distribution. .
[0036]
That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, of the light emitted from the light emitting chip 22, the light traveling within the range of the angle α near the optical axis Ax is used as the indirect light R <b> 1, Since the light traveling in the range of the angle β is directly used as the light R2, the light from the light emitting diode 12 can be sufficiently used for the light distribution of the lamp.
[0037]
In the present embodiment, since both reflecting surfaces are continuously formed such that the direct light reflecting surface 14a2 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the indirect light reflecting surface 14a1, the lamp in a lighting state is observed from the front. At this time, it is possible to prevent a dark portion from being generated between the indirect light reflection surface 14a1 and the direct light reflection surface 14a2, thereby impairing the appearance.
[0038]
Further, in the present embodiment, since the front end surface 24b of the light transmitting member is configured to make the light from the light emitting chip 22 reach the outer peripheral surface 24a as parallel light, the parallel light is incident on the indirect light reflection surface 14a1. This makes it possible to easily control the reflection of the indirect light R1 by the indirect light reflecting surface 14a1.
[0039]
In particular, in the present embodiment, the distal end surface 24b is configured to cause the light reflected by the distal end surface 24b to reach the outer peripheral surface 24a as parallel light directed in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis. The light can be emitted to the side without being refracted by the light 24a, so that the calculation of the optical path when designing the reflector 14 can be facilitated.
[0040]
Further, in the present embodiment, since the outer peripheral surface 24a of the light transmitting member 24 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the optical axis Ax as the central axis, the indirect light R1 and the direct light R2 are formed with the optical axis Ax as the center. It can be emitted radially. Further, since the direct light reflecting surface 14a2 of the reflector 14 is configured with the paraboloid of revolution having the optical axis Ax as the central axis and the focus of the light emitting chip 22 substantially as a reference plane, the direct light reflecting surface 14a2 Light reflection control can be easily performed.
[0041]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the indirect light reflecting surface 14a1 and the direct light reflecting surface 14a2 are each composed of a plurality of diffusely reflecting elements 14s1 and 14s2 arranged in a stepwise manner, the lighting fixture is moved forward. When viewed from above, each of the plurality of diffuse reflection elements 14s1 and 14s2 can be made to appear as brilliant portions B1 and B2. This makes it possible to make the indirect light reflecting surface 14a1 and the direct light reflecting surface 14a2 shine in a scattered manner with a substantially uniform distribution over the entire area, thereby improving the appearance of the lamp. it can. In addition, in the present embodiment, since each bright portion B1 of the indirect light reflecting surface 14a1 appears brighter than each bright portion B2 of the direct light reflecting surface 14a2, the appearance of the lamp can be provided with novelty.
[0042]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0043]
5 and 6 are views similar to FIGS. 1 and 3, showing a vehicle lamp 30 according to the present embodiment.
[0044]
As shown in these drawings, the vehicle lamp 30 according to the present embodiment is a tail lamp including a light emitting diode 32, a reflector 34, and a light transmitting cover 36, similarly to the vehicle lamp 10 according to the first embodiment. The light from the light emitting diode 32 is reflected by the reflector 34 and radiated to the front of the lamp through the light transmitting cover 36. The light transmitting member 44 of the light emitting diode 32 and the indirect light of the reflector 34 are used. The configuration of the reflection surface 34a1 is different from that of the first embodiment.
[0045]
The light-emitting diode 32 includes a light-emitting chip 42 that emits red light, and a light-transmitting member 44 that seals the light-emitting chip 42. The light-emitting chip 42 is mounted on an optical axis Ax extending in the vehicle front-rear direction and forward of the lamp. In a state in which the reflector 34 is oriented, the reflector 34 is fixed to the rear top portion 34 b of the reflector 34 via the substrate 46.
[0046]
The light transmitting member 44 is made of a colorless and transparent synthetic resin molded product, and has a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 44a having the optical axis Ax as a central axis, and a two-step conical end surface having the optical axis Ax as a central axis. 44b. The distal end surface 44b includes an inner peripheral side conical surface 44b1 having a vertex angle of 90 ° and an outer peripheral side conical surface 44b2 having an apex angle of about 135 ° on the outer peripheral side. The light-transmissive member 44 reflects the light from the light-emitting chip 42 toward the front of the lamp through the light-transmissive member 44 toward the outer peripheral surface 44a at the front end surface 44b and emits the light laterally from the outer peripheral surface 44a. It is configured to be.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 6, the light emitted from the light emitting diode 32 is not only the indirect light R <b> 1 that is reflected by the distal end surface 44 b of the light transmitting member 44 and emitted from the outer peripheral surface 44 a to the side, but also from the light emitting chip 42. There is also direct light R2 that directly reaches the outer peripheral surface 44a of the light transmitting member 44 and exits laterally from the outer peripheral surface 44a. In other words, as shown by oblique lines in the figure, of the light emitted from the light emitting chip 42, the light traveling within the range of the angle α near the optical axis Ax forms the indirect light R1, and the angle β on the outer peripheral side of the indirect light R1. Light going into the range directly constitutes light R2. In the present embodiment, the value of the angle α is larger than the angle α in the first embodiment because the tip end surface 44b is formed in a two-step conical surface shape. Since the outer peripheral surface 44a is formed in a cylindrical shape, the indirect light R1 and the direct light R2 are emitted as radial light around the optical axis Ax.
[0048]
The reflector 34 is obtained by subjecting a front surface of a synthetic resin molded product to a reflection surface treatment, and has a circular outer shape in a lamp front view. The reflecting surface of the reflector 34 includes an indirect light reflecting surface 34a1 for controlling the reflection of the indirect light R1 and a direct light reflecting surface 34a2 for controlling the reflection of the direct light R2 on the outer peripheral side of the indirect light reflecting surface 34a1. It is formed.
[0049]
The indirect light reflection surface 34a1 includes a plurality of diffuse reflection elements 34s1 that diffusely reflect the indirect light R1 forward of the lamp. These diffuse reflection elements 34s1 are arranged so as to radially divide the indirect light reflection surface 34a1 and concentrically divide it. At this time, the diffuse reflection elements 34s1 are arranged in steps in the radial direction at regular intervals via a step 34g1 extending along a plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax. The arrangement of the diffuse reflection elements 34s1 is set such that the light reflected on the inner peripheral side conical surface 44b1 and the light reflected on the outer peripheral side conical surface 44b2 enter separate diffuse reflection elements 34s1.
[0050]
Each diffuse reflection element 34s1 is formed in a concave curved surface having a predetermined curvature in a radial direction and a circumferential direction with respect to the optical axis Ax, with a conical surface having a predetermined apex angle centered on the optical axis Ax as a reference plane. Thereby, the indirect light R1 is diffusely reflected in the radial direction and the circumferential direction with respect to the optical axis Ax. The value of the predetermined apex angle is set for each diffuse reflection element 34s1 so as to correspond to the value of the apex angle of the inner peripheral side conical surface 44b1 and the outer peripheral side conical surface 44b2.
[0051]
The direct light reflection surface 34a2 includes a plurality of diffuse reflection elements 34s2 that diffusely reflect the direct light R2 forward of the lamp. These diffuse reflection elements 34s2 are arranged so as to radially divide the direct light reflection surface 34a2 and concentrically divide it. At this time, the diffuse reflection elements 34s2 are arranged in steps in the radial direction at regular intervals via a step 34g2 extending along a conical surface with the optical axis Ax as the central axis. Each of the diffuse reflection elements 34s2 has a concave surface having a predetermined curvature in the radial direction and the circumferential direction with respect to the optical axis Ax, using a paraboloid of revolution having the optical axis Ax as the central axis and the position of the light emitting chip 42 as a focal point as a reference plane. The light beam R2 is formed in a curved shape so that the direct light R2 is diffusely reflected in the radial direction and the circumferential direction with respect to the optical axis Ax.
[0052]
The light-transmitting cover 36 is a transparent cover made of a colorless and transparent synthetic resin molded product, and has a circular outer shape when viewed from the front of the lamp. The light-transmitting cover 36 is fixed to the reflector 34 at the outer peripheral edge.
[0053]
FIG. 7 is a front view showing the vehicle lamp 30 according to the present embodiment in a state where the light emitting diodes 32 are turned on.
[0054]
As shown, when the vehicular lamp 30 is observed from the front, a plurality of diffuse reflection elements 34s1 forming the indirect light reflection surface 34a1 of the reflector 34 and a plurality of diffusion reflection elements forming the direct light reflection surface 34a2 are provided. 34s2 appears to be scattered at the same time. At this time, since each of the diffuse reflection elements 34s1 and 34s2 is constituted by the concave curved surface as described above, the central portion thereof appears to be bright as bright portions B1 and B2. At this time, the luminous flux incident on each diffuse reflection element 34s1 is considerably larger than the luminous flux incident on each diffuse reflection element 34s2, so that the bright portion B1 has a higher luminance than the bright portion B2.
[0055]
Even when the viewpoint is slightly shifted from the front direction of the lamp, since each of the diffuse reflection elements 34s1 and 34s2 is formed in a concave curved surface, each of the diffuse reflection elements 34s1 and 34s2 is moved from its central portion in accordance with the amount of movement of the viewpoint. The parts shifted to the opposite side from the viewpoint moving direction appear as bright parts B1 and B2.
[0056]
As described in detail above, in the vehicle lamp 30 according to the present embodiment, the light emitted from the reflector 34 of the light emitting diode 32 at the distal end surface 44b of the light transmitting member 44 and emitted laterally from the outer peripheral surface 44a. The indirect light reflecting surface 34a1 that controls the reflection of the indirect light R1 from the chip 42, and the direct light R2 that directly reaches the outer peripheral surface 44a of the light transmitting member 44 from the light emitting chip 42 and exits laterally from the outer peripheral surface 44a is reflected. Since the direct light reflection surface 34a2 for controlling is provided, not only can the indirect light R1 be used for lamp light distribution as in the related art, but also the direct light R2 can be used for lamp light distribution. .
[0057]
That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, of the light emitted from the light emitting chip 42, the light heading within the range of the angle α near the optical axis Ax is used as the indirect light R <b> 1, Since the light traveling in the range of the angle β is directly used as the light R2, the light from the light emitting diode 32 can be sufficiently used for the light distribution of the lamp. Since the angle α in the present embodiment is larger than the angle α in the first embodiment, more light from the light emitting diode 32 can be used.
[0058]
In the present embodiment, since both reflecting surfaces are continuously formed such that the direct light reflecting surface 34a2 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the indirect light reflecting surface 34a1, the lamp in the lighting state is observed from the front. At this time, it is possible to prevent the appearance of a dark portion between the indirect light reflection surface 34a1 and the direct light reflection surface 34a2 from being impaired.
[0059]
Further, in the present embodiment, since the outer peripheral surface 44a of the translucent member 44 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the optical axis Ax as the central axis, the indirect light R1 and the direct light R2 are focused on the optical axis Ax. It can be emitted radially. Further, since the direct light reflecting surface 34a2 of the reflector 34 is configured using a paraboloid of revolution having the optical axis Ax as the central axis and the focal point of the light emitting chip 42 as a reference plane, the direct light reflecting surface 34a2 is directly provided by the direct light reflecting surface 34a2. Light reflection control can be easily performed.
[0060]
Further, in the present embodiment, since the indirect light reflecting surface 34a1 and the direct light reflecting surface 34a2 are each constituted by a plurality of diffusely reflecting elements 34s1 and 34s2 arranged in a stepwise manner, the lighting fixture is moved forward. When viewed from above, each of the plurality of diffuse reflection elements 34s1 and 34s2 can be made to appear as brilliant portions B1 and B2. Thus, the indirect light reflecting surface 34a1 and the direct light reflecting surface 34a2 can be made to appear as scattered spots with a substantially uniform distribution over the entire area, thereby improving the appearance of the lamp. it can. In addition, in the present embodiment, since each bright portion B1 of the indirect light reflecting surface 34a1 appears brighter than each bright portion B2 of the direct light reflecting surface 34a2, the appearance of the lamp can be provided with novelty.
[0061]
In the above embodiments, the diffuse reflection elements 14s1, 14s2, 34s1, and 34s2 are described as being formed in a concave curved surface, but they may be formed in a convex curved surface or a planar shape.
[0062]
In the above embodiments, the reflectors 14 and 34 and the translucent covers 16 and 36 have been described as having circular outer shapes. However, it is needless to say that other outer shapes may be adopted. .
[0063]
Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the case has been described in which the vehicle lamps 10 and 30 are tail lamps. However, other vehicle lamps, for example, a stop lamp, a tail & stop lamp, a clearance lamp, a turn signal lamp, and further, Even in the case of a headlamp, a fog lamp, a cornering lamp, and the like, by adopting a configuration similar to the above-described embodiments, the same operation and effect can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a main part of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a front view showing the vehicle lamp according to the first embodiment in a lighting state.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing a main part of a vehicular lamp according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a front view showing the vehicle lamp according to the second embodiment in a lighting state.
[Explanation of symbols]
10,30 Vehicle lamp
12, 32 light emitting diode
14, 34 reflector
14a1, 34a1 Indirect light reflecting surface
14a2, 34a2 Direct light reflecting surface
14b, 34b Rear top
14g1, 14g2, 34g1, 34g2 Stepped part
14s1, 14s2, 34s1, 34s2 Diffuse reflection element
16, 36 Light-transmitting cover
22, 42 light emitting chip
24, 44 translucent member
24a, 44a Outer peripheral surface
24b, 44b Tip surface
26, 46 substrates
44b1 Inner circumference conical surface
44b2 Outer conical surface
Ax optical axis
B1, B2 bright part
R1 Indirect light
R2 Direct light

Claims (5)

発光チップを透光部材で封止してなる発光ダイオードと、この発光ダイオードからの光を灯具前方へ向けて反射させるリフレクタとを備えてなり、上記透光部材が、上記発光チップから該透光部材内を灯具前方へ向かう光を、該透光部材の先端面で該透光部材の外周面へ向けて反射させて該外周面から側方へ出射させるように構成された車両用灯具において、
上記リフレクタが、上記先端面で反射して上記外周面から側方へ出射した上記発光チップからの間接光を反射制御する間接光反射面と、上記発光チップから上記外周面に直接到達して該外周面から側方へ出射した直接光を反射制御する直接光反射面とを備えている、ことを特徴とする車両用灯具。
A light-emitting diode having a light-emitting chip sealed with a light-transmitting member; and a reflector for reflecting light from the light-emitting diode toward the front of the lamp, wherein the light-transmitting member transmits the light from the light-emitting chip to the light-emitting chip. In a vehicle lamp configured to reflect light toward the front of the lamp inside the member, to be reflected toward the outer peripheral surface of the light transmitting member at the distal end surface of the light transmitting member and to emit laterally from the outer peripheral surface,
The reflector is an indirect light reflecting surface that controls the reflection of indirect light from the light emitting chip that is reflected by the tip end surface and emitted laterally from the outer peripheral surface, and directly reaches the outer peripheral surface from the light emitting chip. A direct light reflecting surface for controlling reflection of direct light emitted laterally from the outer peripheral surface.
上記直接光反射面が、上記間接光反射面の外周側に配置されている、ことを特徴とする請求項1記載の車両用灯具。The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the direct light reflecting surface is arranged on an outer peripheral side of the indirect light reflecting surface. 上記先端面が、上記発光チップからの光を平行光として上記外周面に到達させるように構成されている、ことを特徴とする請求項1または2記載の車両用灯具。The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the front end surface is configured to allow light from the light emitting chip to reach the outer peripheral surface as parallel light. 4. 上記外周面が、上記直接光を上記発光チップの位置を略中心にして放射状に出射させるように構成されており、
上記直接光反射面が、上記発光チップの位置を略焦点とする回転放物面を基準面とする曲面で構成されている、ことを特徴とする請求項1〜3いずれか記載の車両用灯具。
The outer peripheral surface is configured to emit the direct light radially with the position of the light emitting chip substantially at the center,
The vehicular lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the direct light reflection surface is configured as a curved surface with a reference surface being a paraboloid of revolution having a position substantially focused on the light emitting chip. .
上記間接光反射面および直接光反射面の各々が、階段状に配置された複数の拡散反射素子からなる、ことを特徴とする請求項1〜4いずれか記載の車両用灯具。The vehicular lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the indirect light reflecting surface and the direct light reflecting surface comprises a plurality of diffusely reflecting elements arranged in a stepwise manner.
JP2002289388A 2002-10-02 2002-10-02 Vehicle lighting Expired - Fee Related JP4173344B2 (en)

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Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2007317431A (en) * 2006-05-24 2007-12-06 Ushio Inc Lighting system
KR100822886B1 (en) 2006-06-19 2008-04-17 (주)에스디엠 Astral lamp
JP2008186742A (en) * 2007-01-31 2008-08-14 Koito Mfg Co Ltd Vehicle lighting fixture
JP2011253154A (en) * 2010-06-04 2011-12-15 Kyoraku Sangyo Co Ltd Light guide body, illumination unit, game board unit, and pachinko game machine
JP2012174462A (en) * 2011-02-21 2012-09-10 Panasonic Corp Luminaire
JP2013171813A (en) * 2012-02-23 2013-09-02 Stanley Electric Co Ltd Vehicle lamp
JP2014107223A (en) * 2012-11-29 2014-06-09 Koito Mfg Co Ltd Vehicular lighting fixture
JP2016519208A (en) * 2013-03-15 2016-06-30 アプライド マテリアルズ インコーポレイテッドApplied Materials,Incorporated Susceptor support shaft with uniformity adjusting lens for EPI process
US20190360664A1 (en) * 2017-02-15 2019-11-28 Opple Lighting Co., Ltd. Reflecting device, light source module and lighting device
US20230054635A1 (en) * 2021-08-23 2023-02-23 Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd. Lamp for vehicle and vehicle including the same

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2007317431A (en) * 2006-05-24 2007-12-06 Ushio Inc Lighting system
KR100822886B1 (en) 2006-06-19 2008-04-17 (주)에스디엠 Astral lamp
JP2008186742A (en) * 2007-01-31 2008-08-14 Koito Mfg Co Ltd Vehicle lighting fixture
JP2011253154A (en) * 2010-06-04 2011-12-15 Kyoraku Sangyo Co Ltd Light guide body, illumination unit, game board unit, and pachinko game machine
JP2012174462A (en) * 2011-02-21 2012-09-10 Panasonic Corp Luminaire
JP2013171813A (en) * 2012-02-23 2013-09-02 Stanley Electric Co Ltd Vehicle lamp
JP2014107223A (en) * 2012-11-29 2014-06-09 Koito Mfg Co Ltd Vehicular lighting fixture
JP2016519208A (en) * 2013-03-15 2016-06-30 アプライド マテリアルズ インコーポレイテッドApplied Materials,Incorporated Susceptor support shaft with uniformity adjusting lens for EPI process
US20190360664A1 (en) * 2017-02-15 2019-11-28 Opple Lighting Co., Ltd. Reflecting device, light source module and lighting device
US11131440B2 (en) * 2017-02-15 2021-09-28 Opple Lighting Co., Ltd. Reflecting device, light source module and lighting device
US20230054635A1 (en) * 2021-08-23 2023-02-23 Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd. Lamp for vehicle and vehicle including the same
US11649941B2 (en) * 2021-08-23 2023-05-16 Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd. Lamp for vehicle and vehicle including the same

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