JP2005029030A - Lighting fixture for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To let in light from a plurality of light sources efficiently to the end face (light entering surface) of a rod-like light guiding body with a limited size while simplifying wiring or a lighting circuit. <P>SOLUTION: The lighting fixture is provided with the rod-like light guiding body 11 using one of the end surfaces in the longitudinal direction as a light entering surface 11a, a plurality of LED lamps 12 arranged side by side in a surface opposed to the light entering surface, and a light connecting light guiding body 13 guiding radiation luminous flux L1 from the LED lamps to the light entering surface 11a of the rod-like light guiding body. The light connecting light guiding body 13 is provided with a tapered reflective surface 13a totally reflecting the radiation luminous flux L1 from the LED lamps and narrowing it to the bore diameter of the light entering surface of the rod-like light guiding body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp useful as a room lamp, for example, including a rod-shaped light guide formed of a transparent resin and the like, and a light source for introducing light into an end surface of the rod-shaped light guide.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 5, a rod-shaped light guide 1 having light incident surfaces 1 a and 1 b at both end surfaces in the longitudinal direction, and an LED lamp for making light incident on the light incident surfaces 1 a and 1 b of the rod-shaped light guide 1. A vehicular lamp 3 including a light source 2 such as the above is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In this vehicular lamp 3, two light sources 2 are arranged so as to oppose the light incident surfaces 1a and 1b at both ends of the rod-shaped light guide 1, and both light sources 2 are disposed simultaneously or only one of the light sources 2 is disposed. By turning on the light, light is introduced into the rod-shaped light guide 1 and light is emitted from the side surface (circumferential surface) of the rod-shaped light guide 1 to the outside.

  The rod-shaped light guide 1 is configured using a transparent material such as acrylic resin, and a diffuse reflection surface 4 that diffuses and reflects light introduced into the rod-shaped light guide 1 is provided on a part of the peripheral surface. It has been. The diffuse reflection surface 4 is continuously formed in the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped light guide 1 with an appropriate width, and a portion where the diffuse reflection surface 4 is not formed becomes a light emitting surface 5 that emits light to the outside. ing.

In the vehicular lamp 3, when the light source 2 is turned on, the light emitted from the light source 2 is introduced into the rod-shaped light guide 1 from the light incident surfaces 1a and 1b at both ends. Then, light is emitted from the light emitting surface 5 of the rod-shaped light guide 1 to the outside by diffuse reflection by the diffuse reflection film 4 in the light guide process. This light emission is performed over almost the entire length of the rod-shaped light guide 1 because the diffuse reflection film 4 is formed over the entire length of the rod-shaped light guide 1.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-100213 (FIG. 1)

  The conventional vehicular lamp 3 shown in FIG. 5 has light sources 2 disposed at both ends of the rod-shaped light guide 1, and light is directly incident on the light incident surfaces 1a and 1b of the rod-shaped light guide 1 at both ends. Therefore, it is possible to illuminate brighter than a light source provided only at one end. In addition, since there are two light sources 2, illumination of two colors is possible if the colors of the light sources 2 are different.

  However, since the light source 2 is disposed at two separate locations, wiring and lighting circuits are required at two locations, and there is a problem that the configuration becomes complicated. Further, since the emitted light beam from the light source 2 is directly incident on the end surface of the rod-shaped light guide 1, when the light source 2 corresponding to the size of the end surface of the rod-shaped light guide 1 is used, the number of the light sources 2 is two. It is a limit, and there is a limit to improving the brightness. Further, even when the number of colors is increased, two colors corresponding to the number of light sources 2 are the limit. Furthermore, when switching the illumination color by changing the colors of the two light sources 2, the position of the light source 2 that is turned on differs depending on the color, so that the luminance near the light source 2 tends to increase. Depending on the color switching, the light distribution state may be different, giving a sense of incongruity.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and a plurality of light sources are provided on the end surface (light incident surface) of a bar light guide of a limited size while simplifying wiring and lighting circuits. When the light source is selectively turned on, it is possible to increase the number of light sources to improve the brightness or increase the number of colors. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular lamp that can ensure a certain light distribution state.

  A vehicular lamp according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a rod-shaped light guide having an end surface in the longitudinal direction as a light incident surface, a plurality of light sources arranged in a plane facing the light incident surface, and the light source. An optical joining light guide that is disposed between the light entrance surface of the rod-shaped light guide and guides the luminous flux from the light source to the light entrance surface of the rod-shaped light guide. The body is provided with a reflecting surface that reflects the luminous flux from the plurality of light sources and narrows the aperture to the light incident surface of the rod-shaped light guide.

  In this vehicular lamp, when the light source is turned on, the light from the light source is focused on the light incident surface of the rod-shaped light guide by the light joining light guide, and is introduced into the rod-shaped light guide from the light incident surface. The In this case, since the light guide for optical joining is provided with a reflecting surface, the light flux emitted from the light source at an angle that cannot directly reach the light entrance surface of the rod-shaped light guide is also included. By being reflected by the reflecting surface of the optical joining light guide, it is narrowed down to the aperture of the light entrance surface of the rod-shaped light guide and enters inside the rod-shaped light guide. The light introduced into the rod-shaped light guide is emitted to the outside of the rod-shaped light guide by any optical means (for example, a diffuse reflection surface provided on the peripheral surface of the rod-shaped light guide). Thereby, the illumination function as a lamp is demonstrated.

  In this vehicular lamp, while arranging a plurality of light sources collectively on the light incident surface side of the rod-shaped light guide, the size of the light flux of each light source is limited by the action of the light joining light guide. The light can enter the same light incident surface. That is, due to the action of the reflecting surface provided on the light guide for optical joining, the light beams emitted from the respective light sources are narrowed down so as to overlap each other on the light incident surface of the rod-shaped light guide, and inside the rod-shaped light guide. Can be introduced. Therefore, the number of light sources can be increased without being limited by the size of the end face (light incident surface) of the rod-shaped light guide, and the light from a large number of light sources can be effectively introduced even to a thin rod-shaped light guide. it can.

  Incidentally, conventionally, when light from a light source is introduced into a thin rod-shaped light guide, the area of the end face is reduced, so the number of light sources has to be minimized. Therefore, in order to improve the brightness, light sources are arranged at both ends of the rod-shaped light guide.

  However, in the present invention, light from a large number of light sources can be incident on the same end surface (light incident surface) by the action of the light joining light guide having a reflecting surface, so that the light sources are combined on one side of the rod-shaped light guide. Unlike the case where light sources are distributed and arranged in two places, wiring and lighting circuits can be simplified. In addition, by arranging the light joining light guide with a reflective surface between the light source and the rod-shaped light guide, the number of the light sources can be easily increased to two or more. Two or more colors can be increased. In addition, since the light source can be disposed only on one end side of the rod-shaped light guide, for example, when the illumination color is switched by selective lighting with different light source colors, the light from the same light incident surface is used. , And a constant light distribution state can be ensured regardless of color switching, and a sense of incongruity can be eliminated.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the reflection surface is capable of causing the outermost light beam of the radiated light beam from the light source to be totally reflected and traveling to the light incident surface. It is provided in.

  In this vehicular lamp, the outermost luminous flux of the radiated light from the light source is totally reflected by the reflecting surface and is incident on the light incident surface of the rod-shaped light guide, so that the light emitted from the light source is not wasted. It can be led to a rod-shaped light guide. Incidentally, when the light joining light guide is made of acrylic, the condition of the incident angle when the light incident on the acrylic is totally reflected at the boundary surface with air is 42.2 ° or more. Accordingly, if the angle of the reflecting surface is determined so that the incident angle of the outermost luminous flux from the light source is 42.2 ° or more, all the luminous flux is applied to the light incident surface of the rod-shaped light guide. Can lead. Of course, since the angle condition of total reflection differs depending on the material of the light guide, it is necessary to set the angle of the reflecting surface according to the material.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the vehicular lamp according to the first or second aspect, wherein the effective diameter of the light beam narrowed down by the reflecting surface is equal to or smaller than the aperture of the light incident surface of the rod-shaped light guide. And

  In the vehicular lamp of the present invention, the light beam from the light source is focused by the reflecting surface to be equal to or smaller than the aperture of the light incident surface of the rod-shaped light guide, so that all the light from the light source can be introduced into the rod-shaped light guide without leakage. .

  Invention of Claim 4 is a vehicle lamp in any one of Claims 1-3, Comprising: On the entrance side of the said light joining light guide, this light guide for light joining and the said light source are mutually connected. An incident side guide portion for positioning is provided.

  In the vehicular lamp of the present invention, variation in the positional relationship between the light source and the optical joint light guide can be suppressed, and light distribution quality can be improved by reducing the variation in relative positional relationship.

  Invention of Claim 5 is a vehicle lamp in any one of Claims 1-4, Comprising: On the output side of the said light joining light guide, this light joining light guide and the said rod-shaped light guide And an exit-side guide part for mutual positioning.

  In the vehicular lamp according to the present invention, variation in the positional relationship between the rod-shaped light guide and the optical joining light guide can be suppressed, and the light distribution quality can be improved by reducing the relative positional variation. Can do.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the vehicular lamp according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein a collimating lens for collimating a radiated light beam from the light source is provided on an incident side of the light joining light guide. It is provided integrally.

  In this vehicle lamp, the radiated light beam from the light source can be introduced into the rod-shaped light guide after being collimated by a collimating lens provided on the incident side of the light joining light guide. Therefore, internal reflection in the rod-shaped light guide can be reduced, and even with a rod-shaped light guide having a long overall length, the light beam can reach the terminal. As a result, the light can be easily controlled even when the terminal uses the light.

  As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of light sources are arranged in a plane facing the end surface of the rod-shaped light guide, and optical joining is performed between the light source and the end surface of the rod-shaped light guide. Since the light guide is arranged and the radiated light flux of each light source is narrowed down by the reflecting surface of the light joining light guide and introduced into the end face of the rod-shaped light guide, a plurality of light sources are attached to both ends of the rod-shaped light guide. Even if it is not dispersedly arranged, the light of all light sources can be easily introduced into the rod-shaped light guide by the action of the light joining light guide. Therefore, the wiring and lighting circuit can be simplified as compared with the case where a plurality of light sources are dispersedly arranged at both ends of the rod-shaped light guide. In addition, light from multiple light sources can be efficiently incident on the end surface of a bar light guide of a limited size, so the number of light sources can be increased to improve brightness, It can be planned. In addition, even when the light source is selectively turned on, light is incident from the same end face side, so that a constant light distribution state can be ensured.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the outermost light flux from the light source emitted from the light source is totally reflected by the reflecting surface and is incident on the light incident surface of the rod-shaped light guide. Can be guided to the rod-shaped light guide without waste.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the light beam emitted from the light source is narrowed down to the diameter of the light incident surface of the rod-shaped light guide by the light joining light guide, so that the light from the light source is efficiently leaked without leakage. Can be introduced.

  According to the invention of claim 4, since the guide for positioning the light source is provided on the incident side of the light joining light guide, there is no variation in the positional relationship between the light source and the light joining light guide, and the light distribution quality is improved. Improvements can be made.

  According to the invention of claim 5, since the guide for positioning the rod-shaped light guide is provided on the light exit side of the light joining light guide, variation in the positional relationship between the rod-shaped light guide and the light joining light guide is eliminated. Therefore, it is possible to improve the light distribution quality.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the collimating lens for collimating the radiated light beam from the light source is integrally provided on the incident side of the optical joining light guide, the collimated lens guides the collimated light beam as much as possible to the rod-like shape. It can be introduced inside the light body. Therefore, the internal reflection of the rod-shaped light guide can be reduced, and even with a long-length rod-shaped light guide, the luminous flux can reach the terminal, and as a result, even when using light at the terminal Light can be easily controlled.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic configuration of a vehicular lamp according to a first embodiment, (a) is a side view, (b) is a top view, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a specific configuration of a vehicular lamp 10A. (A) is side sectional drawing, (b) is sectional drawing seen from the top.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicular lamp 10A includes a rod-shaped light guide 11 made of a transparent resin molded product, two LED lamps (light sources) 12, an LED lamp 12, and a rod-shaped light guide 11. And a lamp case 14 made of a molded product of light-shielding resin. The two LED lamps 12 are attached to a substrate 15 disposed in the lamp case 14.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the rod-shaped light guide 11 is formed as a rod-shaped body having an arbitrary shape such as a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon in cross section, and both end surfaces in the longitudinal direction are smooth surfaces by polishing finishing or the like. It is said that. One end surface that is a smooth surface is a light incident surface 11a, and the two LED lamps 12 are arranged side by side in a surface facing the light incident surface 11a. The two LED lamps 12 are arranged substantially symmetrically (symmetric in the vertical direction in the figure) across the central axis of the rod-shaped light guide 11 (corresponding to the center line of the cross section of the rod-shaped light guide 11). However, each optical axis of each LED lamp 12 is parallel to the central axis of the rod-shaped light guide 11.

  Since the size of the light incident surface 11a of the rod-shaped light guide 11 is too small to allow the radiated light beams of the two LED lamps 12 to enter as they are, the light incident surface 11a of the LED lamp 12 and the rod-shaped light guide 11 is used. In between, the optical joining light guide 13 for guiding the luminous flux from each LED lamp 12 to the light incident surface 11a is disposed.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (a), the optical joining light guide 13 has a substantially trapezoidal shape in side view, and two LED lamps 12 are arranged on one side end corresponding to the lower base of the trapezoid. The light incident end of the rod-shaped light guide 11 is connected to the other side end corresponding to the upper base of the trapezoid, and the portion corresponding to the hypotenuse of the trapezoid is configured as a tapered reflecting surface 13a. . Also, when viewed from above, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), the upper and lower reflective surfaces 13a are tapered, and both sides thereof are cut by parallel surfaces at equal distances from the center in the width direction. It has a rectangular shape in plan view. The cut surface is also configured as a planar reflecting surface 13b.

  This light joining light guide 13 is for effectively making the radiated light beam L1 from the two LED lamps 12 incident on the light incident surface 11a of the rod-shaped light guide 11, and has a tapered reflecting surface 13a and a flat surface. The reflective surface 13b has a function of reflecting the radiated light beam L1 of the two LED lamps 12 and narrowing down to the diameter of the light incident surface 11a of the rod-shaped light guide 11. Therefore, in particular, the tapered reflective surface 13a is an angle at which the outermost light beam L11 of the radiated light beam L1 from the LED lamp 12 is totally reflected and can be advanced to the light incident surface 11a of the rod-shaped light guide 11. Is provided.

  For example, when the optical joining light guide 13 is made of acrylic, the condition of the incident angle when the light incident on the acrylic is totally reflected at the boundary surface with air is 42.2 ° or more. Accordingly, the angle of the reflecting surface 13a is determined so that the incident angle θ of the outermost light beam L11 out of the radiated light beam L1 from the light source is 42.2 ° or more. Since the angle condition of total reflection differs depending on the material of the light joining light guide 13, it is necessary to set the angle of the reflecting surface 13 a according to the material.

  In this case, due to the action of the reflecting surfaces 13a and 13b, the radiated light beams L1 from the respective LED lamps 12 are collected so as to overlap each other on the light incident surface 11a of the rod-shaped light guide 11, and the inside of the rod-shaped light guide 11 Is incident on. In particular, it is designed so that the effective diameter H1 of the light beam focused by the light joining light guide 13 is not more than the aperture H2 of the light incident surface 11a of the rod-shaped light guide 11, so that the light from the LED lamp 12 can be transmitted without leakage. It can be introduced into the rod-shaped light guide 11.

  When such a basic configuration is incorporated in the vehicular lamp 10A, a diffuse reflection surface 24 that diffuses and reflects the light L2 introduced into the rod-shaped light guide 11 on a part of the peripheral surface of the rod-shaped light guide 11. Is provided. The diffuse reflection surface 24 is continuously formed in the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped light guide 11 with an appropriate width. By doing so, the part in which the diffuse reflection surface 24 is not formed becomes the light emission surface 25 which radiates | emits light outside.

  The lamp case 14 is provided with a fitting opening 14a for fitting the end of the rod-shaped light guide 11, and the end of the rod-shaped light guide 11 on the light incident surface 11a side is fitted into the fitting opening 14a. Combine. On the other hand, in the inner back portion of the fitting port 14 a, the light joining light guide 13 is accommodated while being positioned by the lamp cover 14, and the two LED lamps 12 are disposed in the back while being held on the substrate 15.

  On the incident side of the light joining light guide 13, a fitting hole 20 for fitting the tip of the LED lamp 12 is provided as an incident side guide for positioning, and on the exit side of the light joining light guide 13. A fitting hole 21 for fitting the end portion of the rod-shaped light guide 11 is provided as an output side guide portion for positioning. Therefore, the LED lamp 12 and the rod-shaped light guide 11 are fitted into the fitting holes 20 and 21. By doing so, the light joining light guide 13, the LED lamp 12, and the rod-shaped light guide 11 can be assembled while positioning without variation.

  Thus, when the guide part is provided in the light joining light guide 13, the light joining light guide, the LED lamp, and the rod light guide can be obtained by simply assembling the LED lamp 12 and the rod light guide 11 to each guide. Can be easily adjusted to an appropriate position, so that a certain light distribution quality can be easily ensured.

  Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the LED lamp 12 is turned on, the radiated light beam L1 from the LED lamp 12 is narrowed down on the light incident surface 11a by the action of the reflecting surfaces 13a and 13b of the light joining light guide 13, and the rod-shaped guide is formed from the light incident surface 11a. It is introduced inside the light body 11. The light beam L2 introduced into the rod-shaped light guide 11 is radiated from the light emitting surface 25 of the rod-shaped light guide 11 to the outside as illumination light L3 due to diffuse reflection by the diffuse reflection film 24 in the light guide process. The illumination light L3 is emitted over almost the entire length of the rod-shaped light guide 11 because the diffuse reflection film 24 is formed over the entire length of the rod-shaped light guide 11. This fulfills the function as a vehicular lamp.

  In this way, the emitted light beam L1 of each LED lamp 12 is converged on the reflecting surfaces 13a and 13b of the light joining light guide 13, and is incident on the same light incident surface 11a having a limited size. While using the thin rod-shaped light guide 11, the radiated light beams L1 of the two LED lamps 12 can be effectively introduced into the rod-shaped light guide 11 without waste. In addition, since the two LED lamps 12 are arranged together on one end side of the rod-shaped light guide 11, wiring and lighting circuits can be simplified.

  In addition, since the light beam of each LED lamp 12 is made to enter the same light incident surface 11a using the light joining light guide 13, the position of the light source can be changed even when only one of the LED lamps 12 is turned on. A constant light distribution state can be ensured by being on the same side. For example, even when the illuminating colors of the LED lamps 12 are different from each other and the illumination color is switched by selective lighting, a constant light distribution state can be maintained regardless of the color switching, and a sense of incongruity is not felt.

  In the present embodiment, the case where two LED lamps 12 are provided is shown. However, since the light from the light source is concentrated on the light incident surface 11a by the light joining light guide 13, the number of light sources is three or more. It can also be. Therefore, it is possible to improve brightness and increase the number of colors of three or more colors.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the positional relationship between the LED lamps 12 and the rod-shaped light guide 11 when the number of LED lamps 12 (light sources) is changed. (A) shows a case where two LED lamps 12 are provided as in the first embodiment, (b) shows a case where four LED lamps 12 are provided, and (c) shows a case where six LED lamps 12 are provided. ing. The number of light sources can be increased freely by devising the structure of the light guide for optical joining.

  3A and 3B are views showing the basic configuration of a vehicular lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a side view and FIG. 3B is a top view.

  The difference between the vehicular lamp of the second embodiment and the vehicular lamp of the first embodiment is that the collimating lens 30 that collimates the radiated light beam L1 from the LED lamp 12 on the incident side of the light joining light guide 13. It is the point which was provided integrally. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The collimating lens 30 is formed on the bottom surface of each fitting hole 20 into which the LED lamp 12 of the light joining light guide 13 is fitted. As described above, when the collimator 30 is formed integrally with the light joining light guide 13, the radiated light beam L <b> 1 from the LED lamp 12 is parallelized by the collimator lens 30 and then introduced into the rod-shaped light guide 11. be able to. Therefore, internal reflection in the rod-shaped light guide 11 can be reduced, and even with the rod-shaped light guide 11 having a long overall length, the light beam can reach the terminal. As a result, the light can be easily controlled even when the terminal uses the light.

It is a figure which shows the basic composition of the vehicle lamp of 1st Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a side view, (b) is a top view. It is a figure which shows the specific structure of the vehicle lamp of 1st Embodiment which took in the basic composition of FIG. 1, (a) is a sectional side view, (b) is a top view. It is a figure which shows the example (a)-(c) of the positional relationship of a light source and a rod-shaped light guide at the time of changing the number of light sources in the said vehicle lamp. It is a figure which shows the basic composition of the vehicle lamp of 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a side view, (b) is a top view. It is a block diagram which shows the example of the conventional vehicle lamp.

Explanation of symbols

10A Vehicle lamp 11 Bar-shaped light guide 11a Light incident surface 12 LED lamp (light source)
13 Light Bonding Body for Optical Bonding 13a Tapered Reflective Surface 13b Planar Reflective Surface 20 Fitting Hole (Incoming Side Guide Portion)
21 Fitting hole (outgoing side guide)
30 Collimating lens

Claims (6)

A rod-shaped light guide having an end surface in the longitudinal direction as a light incident surface, a plurality of light sources arranged in a plane facing the light incident surface, and the light source and the light incident surface of the rod-shaped light guide And a light joining light guide that guides the radiated light beam from the light source to the light incident surface of the rod-shaped light guide, and radiates the light flux from the plurality of light sources to the light joining light guide. A vehicular lamp comprising a reflecting surface that reflects and narrows down the aperture of the light incident surface of the rod-shaped light guide. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1,
The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting surface is provided at an angle at which an outermost luminous flux of the radiated luminous flux from the light source is totally reflected and can be advanced to the light incident surface. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 or 2,
The vehicular lamp, wherein an effective diameter of a light beam narrowed down by the reflecting surface is equal to or less than a diameter of a light incident surface of the rod-shaped light guide. The vehicular lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A vehicular lamp characterized in that an incident-side guide portion for positioning the optical bonding light guide and the light source is provided on the incident side of the optical bonding light guide. The vehicular lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A vehicular lamp characterized in that an exit-side guide portion for positioning the optical junction light guide and the rod-shaped light guide is provided on the exit side of the optical junction light guide. The vehicular lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A vehicular lamp characterized in that a collimating lens for collimating a radiated light beam from the light source is integrally provided on an incident side of the light joining light guide.

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